003/2013 – Approval to approach for disposal of former police station located at North Park Road, Harrogate – 22 June 2013

Executive Summary and Recommendation

Police and Crime Commissioner decision: Approved

Signature Date 22 June 2013
Title Police & Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire

Introduction and background

North Yorkshire Police (NYP) have been in negotiations with Harrogate Borough Council (HBC) regarding the sale of the former police station located at North Park Road, Harrogate.

The council are seeking to provide a new modern corporate headquarters, and their preferred site was the former police station. A price and Heads of Terms had been agreed (but not signed), and as part of those negotiations NYP would be paying a capital contribution and HBC would have developed a new town centre Local Police Office. This would collaboration would have seen the town centre Safer Neighbourhood Team re-locate from Craven Lodge into the new HBC HQ.

Subsequently a third party made an application to English Heritage to have the North Park Road police station listed. English Heritage recommended that the site be listed, and the listing came into effect from 7 September 2012.

HBC then reviewed their plans to understand if they could deliver the open plan modern facility they required within the constraints of the English Heritage listing decision. Their decision was that the limitations of the listing, which required the retention of the former police houses and frontage meant that whilst there could be considerable development, it would not support their requirements.

HBC have advised the Head of Workforce Support Services that they are intending to take a formal report to their Members. Our basis of progression at this time is that HBC will not be purchasing former police station at North Park Road. Whilst the formal decision has not been taken, our understanding is that are unlikely to recommend purchase of the site. Consequently Harrogate Council Officers have been made aware that NYP will be taking steps to dispose of the property asset.

On this basis, NYP will be seeking to dispose of the North Park Road premises via an alternative disposal route.

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 suggested disposal route is to take the site to auction early in 2013, with an appropriate reserve on the site so that the property is not sold unless it achieves the required disposal value.

Under the current arrangement with the Auction House, properties are sold on a ‘no sale, no fee basis’, so there will not be any costs incurred by the organisation by adoption of this disposal route.

Other options considered, if any

Other disposal options have been consider, and should the site fail to sell at auction an alternative disposal route would be progressed, but with the benefit of having tested the market via the property auction route.

Contribution to Police and Crime Plan outcomes

Generation of capital receipts from redundant property assets, ensuring the organisation effectively manages resources and assets.

Consultations carried out

Public consultation as to the future use of the site was carried out in April 2010 as part of the Harrogate new build project.

Financial Implications/Value for money

The generation of a capital receipt, has been factored into the financial plans of the Commissioner. This is currently included as income anticipated in 2012/13. Should this not arise until 2013/14 then this can be accommodated on a cash flow basis within the plan for this 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.