Estates Transformation – Limehouse SOC

Limehouse Police Station has been identified as the best available location for a combined armed response and taskforce base. Funding of £500,000 is requested to work up 3 options, the outline business case (providing concept design level plans), and improved estimates of costs and funding. The opportunity for collaboration with the City of London police will also be developed.

The DMPC is asked to approve the Limehouse Strategic Outline Case and associated funding of £500,000 to prepare the Outline Business Case

1. Introduction and background

1.1. In order to support police officers in their work, and to provide a modern working environment for the public and staff investment is required in the estate that is to be retained.

1.2. This paper sets out the strategic case for the development of an armed response and task force group hub to improve operational efficiency and to generate revenue savings.

2. Issues for consideration

2.1. Following the attacks in Europe the then Commissioner of the MPS ordered a substantial uplift on the armed response capability for London. This uplift, the operational requirement to co-locate armed response and task force group functions, and the additional pressures on the capacity for armed training facilities identified the need for a permanent accommodation solution.

2.2. Limehouse Police Station has been identified as the best available location. MPS now request funding of £500,000 in order to further develop the concept design plans, provide improved estimates of costs and funding, and to consider a range of options and collaborative opportunities.

3. Financial Comments

3.1. The estimated cost of the developing the outline business case is £500,000. This will be funded from within the approved existing capital programme.

3.2. The capital programme includes an estimated £44m for investment in the Limehouse Police Station site, and is anticipated to enable the disposal of a number of sites contributing to the target for capital receipts, and contributing £1.5m p.a. to the revenue savings target.

4. Legal Comments

4.1. Section 6 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (“the Act”) provides the MOPAC must secure the maintenance of the Metropolitan Police Service, and secure that the Metropolitan Police is efficient and effective.

4.2. In carrying out its functions, the MOPAC may, under paragraph 7, Schedule 3 of “the Act “do anything which is calculated to facilitate, or is conducive or incidental to, the exercise of the functions of the Office”. This includes, entering into contracts and other agreements, in addition to acquiring and disposing of property (including land). The MOPAC has the power to dispose of surplus properties (including land) under paragraph 7 (2) (b) of Schedule 3 of the “the Act”.

5. Equality Comments

5.1 There are no direct equality or diversity implications arising from this report.

6. Background/supporting papers

MPS Report Strategic Outline Case to Progress Detailed Design for the New Limehouse Armed Response and Taskforce Base