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Agenda Item No. JOINT POLICE BOARD

29 January 2007

Report by the Chief Constable No. PB 8/2007

SUBJECT: POLICE STATION RELOCATION

Abstract: Members are advised that agreement has been reached in principle with Angus Council for the co-location of Police and Council services in Monifieth and for the subsequent sale of the existing Police Station site to the Council. Members are also advised of the intention to provide shared public access facilities at Friockheim and Muirhead police premises.

1. RECOMMENDATION

1.1 It is recommended that the Board

(a) note the intention to progress an agreement between the Force and Angus Council to co-locate, subject to suitable leasing terms, policing services in the Monifieth area within the existing local authority premises in the town.

(b) approve, in principle and subject to (a) above, to declare the existing Monifieth Police Station and site surplus to operational requirements

(c) in accordance with Financial Regulations 15.1 instruct the Chief Constable to enter into formal discussions for the sale of the property to Angus Council at a fair market value as professionally advised.

(d) delegate to the Chief Constable and Clerk to negotiate and agree the terms of the above.

2. BACKGROUND

2.1 has undertaken a number of shared facilities arrangements with Angus Council under the umbrella of the Angus Community Safety Partnership for some time. These include the sharing of premises for the Community Safety Team at Kirriemuir Police Station, co-location of the Family Protection Unit and Social Work staff at council premises in Arbroath and recently, Peripatetic Wardens based at the new Police and Community Access Office at Letham. Where operationally sensible and practical, this approach provides financial benefits for both parties, improved joint working and better public access to services. Both the Police and Council are keen to continue this approach where opportunities become available.

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3. CURRENT POSITION

3.1 Angus Council own and operate an ACCESS Office site in High Street, Monifieth. The property has an element of unused accommodation, suitable for police purposes in the town. Whilst the ACCESS services will continue as before, it is planned to expand the use of the property to include the local Police Station. The Force will relocate the existing police officers and services in the town to the Council property. Angus Council staff providing ACCESS services, will also help deal with routine police public counter enquiries. It will be necessary to negotiate a suitable leasing agreement prior to finalising any arrangements.

3.2 As a result of the proposals, the Force will benefit significantly from having a more prominent and accessible high street location in the town. The co-location also offers the opportunity for easier sharing of information between staff involved in responding to public enquiries and concerns and supports the aims of joined up delivery of public services. In the longer term the co-location offers reduced maintenance and running costs for the Force and the Council.

3.3 The existing Monifieth Police Station is nearing the end of its useful life and would require major investment over the coming years if retained. The co-location would effectively make the property redundant and as part of the discussions Angus Council have intimated an interest in the site for affordable housing. Members are asked, subject to negotiation of a suitable lease to declare the property surplus to operational requirements and in accordance with Financial Regulation 15.1 delegate authority to the Chief Constable to enter into formal discussions for the sale of the property to Angus Council with the concurrence of the Convener and Vice-Conveners after obtaining a professional valuation.

3.4 The Force has small police stations in Friockheim and Muirhead, neither of which have any public counter facilities. Angus Council are seeking premises in both villages to provide a part time ACCESS office. It has been agreed that they can utilise the Police Stations and the part time Council member of staff will additionally handle any routine police enquiries. This provides an opportunity for the Force to improve accessibility and provide the public with access to a greater range of services.

4. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

4.1. Angus Council will meet the full cost of external modifications to the Monifieth ACCESS Office. Tayside Police will fund some internal modifications and will, as part of the leasing agreement, meet an appropriate proportion of the actual running costs of the office. These costs will be contained within existing budget allocations.

4.2 The sale of Monifieth Police Station will generate a capital receipt for the Board.

5. CONSULTATION

5.1 The Clerk and the Treasurer have been consulted in the preparation of this report.

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6. CONCLUSION

6.1 The Force is committed to providing accessible and customer focused services and working in partnership to secure improved value for money. The planned arrangements between Angus Council and Tayside Police will provide improved public access to a wider range of services.

JOHN D VINE QPM Chief Constable

Police Headquarters 4 West Bell Street DD1 9JU

22 January 2007

NOTE: No background papers, as defined by Section 50D of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (other than any containing confidential or exempt information) were relied on to any material extent in preparing the above Report.

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