Sale of police buildings

Record of Decision - Sale of Police Buildings

Originator: Chief Executive
Reference: OPCC.D.022.18
Open / Confidential: Open

Executive Summary

Kent Police’s Estates Strategy is kept under constant review, and the Police and Crime Commissioner is responsible for ensuring the delivery of an effective and efficient police service; this includes ensuring all buildings are fit for purpose and offer the best value for money.

As part of this review, five police-owned premises in Kent have been identified by the Chief Constable as operationally obsolete and no longer cost effective. The premises are in London Road, Deal; Maidstone Road, Paddock Wood; High Street, Edenbridge; Leysdown Road, Leysdown; and Wrotham Road, Meopham.

Of these five sites, only Deal currently has a public enquiries front counter. An opportunity has been identified to relocate this service to the more centrally-located Deal Town Hall, with longer opening hours.

None of the other locations are either a police station or offer public access and the Commissioner has been assured by the Chief Constable that local residents will see no change in the service they receive from Kent Police should the sites be sold.

Disposing of the five sites will save Kent Police around £120,000 each year in running costs, without impacting on frontline policing. In addition, based on current valuations, the sale of the sites will bring in significant capital receipts for re-investment.

Recommendation

In support of the Chief Constable, the Commissioner is recommended to authorise the sale of police owned premises in Deal, Paddock Wood, Edenbridge, Leysdown and Meopham.

Decision

To authorise the sale of police owned premises in Deal, Paddock Wood, Edenbridge, Leysdown and Meopham as they are operationally obsolete and no longer cost effective.

Chief Finance Officer comments:

This proposal does not impact on frontline policing and provides the best value for money for the sites. It has provided a collaborative opportunity, which has resulted in an improved availability of the police enquiries counter. 3/11/18

Chief Executive comments:

This is a fully-considered proposal by the CC for the continued delivery of policing to the people of Kent. I fully support. 1/11/18

Police and Crime Commissioner for Kent comments:

Delivers best value for money and important new collaborative opportunities. 2/11/18

Impact assessment:

• Police and Crime Plan - Supports delivery of the Safer in Kent Plan by ensuring the maintenance of an efficient and effective service through the provision of a police estate which is operationally fit for purpose.
• Has an Equality Impact Assessment been completed? - No
• Will the decision have a differential/adverse impact on any particular diversity strand? - No. Any differential/adverse impact resulting from the sale of London Road, Deal will be mitigated by the relocation of the public enquiries front counter to Deal Town Hall. There will be no differential/adverse impact on any particular strand of diversity in relation to the sale of the other premises.