051/2013 – Acceptance of offer on Ripon site – 22 June 2013

Executive Summary and recommendation:

A decision notice was progressed to the Police and Crime Commissioner to seek approval to negotiating with an identified developer in respect of the disposal of the Ripon site.

The identified developer held an option on land to the rear of the Ripon police station. In order to realise this option and develop the site, the developer would need to have an access route onto that site. Access to the site could be secured via the NYP site. As the Ripon site had been identified as a disposals opportunity in the Estates Strategy, it was logical to negotiate with the identified supplier, as this route would potentially realise a much higher return for the NYP site.

Work is progressing to find suitable alternative accommodation for the team in Ripon, with a number of options being investigated.

This paper recommends that the Commissioner accepts the offer from the developer. The offer will be subject to satisfactory ground investigations and planning approval.

Police and Crime Commissioner decision:

Approved

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

Part 1 – Unrestricted facts and advice to the PCC

Introduction and background

A decision notice was progressed to the Police and Crime Commissioner to seek approval to negotiating with an identified developer in respect of the disposal of the Ripon site.

The identified developer held an option on land to the rear of the Ripon police station. In order to realise this option and develop the site, the developer would need to have an access route onto that site.

Access to the site could be secured via the NYP site. As the Ripon site had been identified as a disposals opportunity in the Estates Strategy, it was logical to negotiate with the identified supplier, as this route would potentially realise a much higher return for the NYP site.

NYP intend to retain a presence in the Ripon area, but wish to ensure that a more sustainable Estates solution is in place. Work has been progressing and a number of options are being considered for an alternative police station/base in Ripon. This work will run in parallel to the developers ground investigations, and if they are successful, subsequent planning application.

This paper recommends that the Commissioner accepts the offer from the developer. The offer will be subject to satisfactory ground investigations and planning approval.

Matters for consideration

Consideration will need to be given to the re-location of the police facilities in the Ripon area. There are a number of opportunities that are being investigated for officer and PCC consideration.

Other options considered, if any

Consideration has been given as part of the Estates Strategy to requirements for policing in Ripon and other uses for the site.

Contribution to Police and Crime Plan outcomes

This proposal contributes to the Police and Crime Plan Goal 4 (Fit for the future) by ensuring that we have ‘fit for purpose’ property assets, improved facilities and reduce our overheads in respect of the estate.

Consultations carried out

Consultation with operational colleagues has been carried out in respect of alternative premises
Financial Implications/Value for money

The proposal will realise slightly more than the amount included in the MTFP (in 2015/16) for the disposal of this property.

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 Deputy Force Solicitor 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 equalities implications as a result of the disposal of this site (conditional to satisfactory ground investigation and planning approval).

Public Access to Information

The Police and Crime Commissioner wishes to be as open and transparent as possible about the decisions he/she takes or are taken in his/her name. All decisions taken by the Commissioner will be subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).

As a general principle, the Commissioner expects to be able to publish all decisions taken and all matters taken into account and all advice received when reaching the decision. Part 1 of this Notice will detail all information which the Commissioner will disclose into the public domain. The decision and information in Part 1 will be made available on the NYPCC web site within 2 working days of approval.

Only where material is properly classified as restricted under the GPMS or if that material falls within the description at 2(2) of The Elected Local Policing Bodies (Specified Information) Order 2011 will the Commissioner not disclose decisions and/or information provided to enable that decision to be made. In these instances, Part 2 of the Form will be used to detail those matters considered to be restricted. Information in Part 2 will not be published.

Is there a Part 2 to this Notice – YES
If Yes, what is the reason for restriction – The information contained in part 2 of this notice is the value of the offer for the site, and this is commercially sensitive.