002/2013 – Seek approval to proceed to auction to dispose of the former police station at Helmsley and the former police office at Great Ayton – 23 January 2013

Seek approval to proceed to auction to dispose of the former police station at Helmsley and the former police office at Great Ayton

Executive Summary and recommendation:

The former police station and police houses at Helmsley have been subject to an application to Ryedale District Council for a ‘change of use’, following re-location of the Local Police Office in to accommodation with the National Parks. The requisite planning approval has been received and the site is now ready for disposal.

The former police office at Great Ayton is no longer required for operational purposes. Agreement has been reached with the Great Ayton Discovery Centre to run ‘surgeries’ from that location on a monthly basis. The former police is now surplus estate and ready for disposal.

It is the intention to dispose of these properties via the contracted North Yorkshire Police (NYP) Auction House.

Police and Crime Commissioner decision

Approved 23 January 2013

Unrestricted facts and advice to the PCC

Introduction and background

As part of rationalisation of the North Yorkshire Police (NYP) Estate work has been undertaken to identify those Estates assets that do not support operational service delivery. The former police office and police houses at Helmsley were one such property and the former police office at Great Ayton is another.

The Helmsley police office was subject to a review, which resulted in the office being re-located into National Parks accommodation, closer to the town centre. The new Local Police Office was opened in Spring 2012. Work was then undertaken to secure a change of use for the former site, and plans were submitted to Ryedale District council. The plans were approved by Ryedale District council, and this will result in NYP being able to achieve a higher value for the site as it has the benefit of ‘planning gain’.

Similarly it was identified that the Great Ayton police office no longer supported operational service delivery. Agreement was reached with the Great Ayton Discovery Centre (located in what was the former Great Ayton library) to run surgeries at that venue on a monthly basis; thus releasing the property for disposal

Both properties are now ready for disposal, and it is the intention to progress these for sale via the contracted auction house at the first available auction in 2013.

Matters for consideration

In line with the normal conventions applicable to asset realisation in policing and local government, the PCC rightly considers herself under an obligation to secure good value and achieve a sale at a price which is the best which can reasonable be obtained.

The decision to use the auction house as a disposal route, means that the costs to NYP are low; the contract is on a ‘no sale, no fee’ basis. Additionally, this route allows for a reserve to be placed on the properties and should the lowest acceptable figure not be achieved then the property is not sold and NYP can decide on potential alternative disposal routes.

Other options considered, if any

Other disposal routes have been considered, however, due to the low cost associated with disposal via this route, the ability to ensure a minimum income is achieved and the speed of completing on any agreed sale this is considered to be the most effective disposal route.

Contribution to Police and Crime Plan outcomes

Ensuring best use of force assets, by ensuring that property assets are fit for purpose and sustainable. Also ensuring that Best Value is achieved in the disposal of force assets.

Consultations carried out

Consultation was undertaken with the Helmsley Town Council in respect of the proposed changes to the use of the former police station site; the feedback from this consultation formed part of the planning application/submission.

Financial Implications/Value for money

The income from the disposal of these two property assets has been included in the financial plan for the 2012/13 financial year.

Legal Implications

Having read this report and having considered such information as has been provided at the time of being asked to express this view, the Director of Legal & Compliance Services is satisfied that this report does not ask the PCC for North Yorkshire to make a decision which would (or would be likely to) give rise to a contravention of the law.

Equality Implications

There are no equality or diversity implications resulting from the disposal of this property asset.