Agenda item

The Panel to receive a presentation from Peter Smith (Strategy & Assets Manager, TVP Property Services). Report attached, together with background information paper, produced by the Panel’s Scrutiny Officer.

Peter Smith, Strategy & Assets Manager of Thames Valley Police attended the meeting and provided the Panel with a report which contained details on progress made by TVP on estate collaborations with ‘Blue Light’ and Local Authority partners.

The Panel was informed that there was a legal requirement under the Crime and Disorder Act 2017 to consider collaboration. In the last five years there had been an increasing degree of stated intentions between partners to collaborate.

There was a Memorandum of Understanding for ‘Blue Light’ estate collaboration, although this only covered the three Thames Valley Fire Services and TVP as South-Central Ambulance Service involvement was minimal.

Reference was made to county level One Public Estate (OPE) programmes initiated regionally by the Cabinet Office and the Local Government Association (LGA). These had broadened the estates conversation across a wider local partnership base including Councils, Blue Light, LEP, numerous Health Trusts and some central Government departments.

The Panel was informed TVP’s Asset Management Plan was refreshed every 2 years, although the 2020 Plan had been delayed because of COVID and the current Effectiveness & Efficiency review, which was expected to result in an expansion of estate rationalisation plans, to address increased budgetary pressures.

Reference was made to the impact which COVID had, with a shift to a more home-based working model for a range of functions, and greater ICT capability for operational teams which would have implications on future estate requirements for the Force.

The Panel was informed that there were 14 disposal projects at various stages of development. The most significant current project was the new Tri-Service Blue Light hub (BLH) at West Ashlands, Milton Keynes, which would enable the sale of Bletchley Police Station. There was a smaller scale new Tri-Service hub underway at Theale, Berkshire where a TVP Neighbourhood Base would be established.

Members were informed that TVP monitored housing plans by Local Authority area and engaged with the planning system where necessary. Reference was made to developer contribution commitments in excess of £3.2m which had been legally secured since 2010, with £1.2m paid to TVP to date.

There were a number of new Neighbourhood Police office requirements identified in large strategic growth areas, which would typically be small offices and mainly located within new Community Centres and hubs.

Members’ Questions

(1) In relation to future projects, what is the current situation regarding proposals for Reading Town Centre? Are there still plans to close Reading Police Station in the town centre and relocate to Atlantic House in south Reading?

[The Panel was informed that Atlantic House required refurbishment and would be ready for occupation between July 2021-March 2022. There was ongoing dialogue with Reading Borough Council and the Fire Service. The Deputy PCC reiterated the commitment strategically to the proposals. Atlantic House would have the “front counter” presence for Reading with discussions taking place on what the Town Centre presence would be.]

(2) Reference was made to the impressive Blue Hub in Milton Keynes and that there had been some public resistance because of the closure of fire stations. Residents in the northern part of Milton Keynes were worried about these closures. With expansion in the eastern part of Milton Keynes towards the M1 Motorway, were there any plans for there to be a Police presence.

[The provisional plans for Eastern Milton Keynes were for a Police presence at the Neighbourhood Offices at Broughton Fire Station. Engagement was taking place with planning, for funding to be provided by developer funding.]

(3) A comment was made about the several pauses of estate plans in the last five years and that COVID had contributed to putting projects on hold, such as the project at Princes Risborough. Police officers were having to work in accommodation which was in poor condition. Could the PCC/TVP ensure that existing facilities were kept up to date to ensure officer morale was maintained?

[The Strategy & Assets Manager of Thames Valley Police replied that the sites which were available for use were very finite, with uplifts taking place. On 3 December there was a Strategic meeting taking place where discussion would take place on projects which had been put on hold and hopefully decisions would be made.]  

The Chairman referred to a number of properties around Oxfordshire and Cherwell and referred to north east of Oxfordshire where there was a major fire station and police station, on opposite sides of the road. This was an opportunity for the police and fire services, with the two local authorities to work together and produce a solution which would be beneficial to all, including residents. It was agreed that discussion regarding this would take place between the Chairman and the PCC outside the meeting. ACTION: CHAIRMAN/PCC

RESOLVED – (1) That the reports and information provided during the witness session be noted.

(2) That the Police and Crime Commissioner be requested to submit a report to a future meeting on how successful “Blue Light” collaborations have been in meeting the priorities of the PCC’s strategic objectives, together with details of opportunities for collaborations with local authorities in the future. ACTION: PCC