In a closed session held after the public meeting, Members also discussed offers received for Ash and Byfleet stations and agreed that offers for both may be accepted subject to certain conditions being fulfilled. A proposal to extend the marketing period for the former Surrey Police traffic centre in Chertsey was also agreed.

Stations going forward to marketing

Leatherhead

A replacement Police Post is already operational on a local business park . The main police station building is now vacant although the adjacent houses are currently used as a base by Scenes of Crime officers. These officers will be relocate to Surrey Police HQ, Mount Browne, likely by July 2012. Interest in the whole site will be sought from developers.

Old Woking

As with Leatherhead, Old Woking currently provides a base for Scenes of Crime officers who will in future be working from Mount Browne. The premises are not open to the public and are not used by local neighbourhood teams so no replacement premises are proposed.

Egham

Establishment of a replacement Police Post in Egham has been deferred as the current Police Station provides a useful base close to the proposed Olympic Athletes Village at Royal Holloway College and will remain in use until after the Olympics. Suitable premises for an alternative base will now be sought.

Farnham

As with Egham, an alternative base has not yet been sought as the Police Station will remain in use until after the Olympics. Options for an alternative will now be investigated or it may be that sale of the Police Station site to a developer may provide the opportunity for a replacement Police Post to be provided within the new development.

Banstead

Again an alternative base has not yet been sought as the police station can not be de-commissioned/sold until expiry of the notice period required to terminate a contract currently in place with a telecommunications company allowing them to locate equipment on the site. The contract will terminate in December 2012.

Camberley

The neighbourhood teams and front counter formerly based in Camberley police station have already moved into the Surrey Heath Borough Council offices. Two additional operational teams are currently based at the police station. Whilst time scales are yet to be confirmed these teams will eventually move to Mount Browne.

Cobham

An approach has been made by Partnerships for Schools regarding the purchase of Cobham Police Station and the adjacent section house. Partnerships for Schools are the agency responsible for finding suitable premises for Free Schools on behalf of the Department for Education.

Elmbridge Borough Council policy dictates that planning consent for a non-community use would be resisted unless it could be proven that the facility was not viable for another social or community use. Clearly this would not be possible in this case and placing the property on the open market for interest from developers would not be beneficial.

Members therefore agreed to begin negotiations with Partnerships for Schools for the sale of the property. Once an acceptable offer is received on this site, the District Valuer will be asked to confirm that, under the circumstances, the offer represents best value. Members agreed that that once this process has been carried out, authority to accept the offer would be delegated to the SPA Chairman, Chief Executive and Treasurer.

Offers accepted

Bids for both Ash and Byfleet stations had been accepted by the Authority at a public meeting in June 2011 but were subsequently withdrawn. New bids have now been received and the Authority has accepted offers for both premises, subject to certain conditions being fulfilled.

The replacement Police Post in the St Mary’s Centre, Byfleet has been operational since summer 2011. A Police Post in Japonica Court, Ash, is due to enter service by April/May 2012. The sale of Ash Police Station will not be completed until that time.

Marketing extended

Members agreed that the marketing period for the Chertsey Traffic Centre should be extended by three months.

Commenting on the decisions, Peter Williams, Chairman of Surrey Police Authority, said:

“These latest decisions on a number of Surrey Police’s stations and buildings are part of the process that we began in late 2009 to prepare for budget cuts and adapt our services to today’s demands.

“Over the course of the last two years, and after substantial consultation with the public, Surrey Police has been relocating officers into new bases such as council offices and community centres, keeping the Police at the heart of the community whilst helping to reduce the significant cost of maintaining our old estate which comprised a patchwork of buildings of various ages and states of repair.

“This – alongside other major changes such as reducing senior officer and staff numbers – has meant that, at a time of recession, Surrey Police was the only force in the country to have increased police officer numbers over the last year.”

This is the last Surrey Police budget that will be set by the Police Authority, which will be replaced by a Police and Crime Commissioner following an election to be held on 15th November this year.

The gross budget for Surrey Police in 2012/13 will be £208.8m, a reduction of £3.5m from the 2011/12 budget.

As part of this budget, the Police Authority has opted to increase its share of council tax by 2.5%, taking the policing element of the council tax bill for a Band D household from £198.54 to £203.49 for the year.

In doing so, the Authority declined a one-off grant (equivalent to a 3% increase in its share of council tax) offered by the Government in return for freezing its share of council tax for 2012/13.

Commenting on the budget, Peter Williams, Chairman of Surrey Police Authority said:

“These are tremendously challenging times for Surrey Police Authority and Surrey Police. In the space of two years our gross budget has fallen by £7m, reflecting the cuts in Government funding.

“Thanks to the radical changes we have made to policing in Surrey in recent years, we have been able to bear the brunt of these cuts and recruit 200 additional Police Constables. Last year Surrey was the only Force in the country to increase officer numbers. We are doing a lot more for a lot less.

“However, we are only in the second of four years of a Comprehensive Spending Review during which Government police grant is being reduced by 20%. Moreover, the public finances remain in a poor state and we maintain a pessimistic outlook on policing funding in the period beyond the CSR. There remains much to do to manage this financial decline whilst maintaining our level of service to the public.

“There was lengthy debate about whether or not to accept the Government’s council tax freeze offer this year. On the surface it may appear difficult to refuse, but this short-term Government incentive hides a serious long-term cost – unlike a council tax increase, which is built permanently into our funding, the council tax freeze grant is for one year only and on its removal would have left us with £2.5m less money in each subsequent year. Finding that amount of money – on top of next year’s Government funding cut – may have meant reductions in service or a steep increase in council tax.

“The Authority may only have a few more months until it is replaced, but we will continue to base our decisions on the long-term interests of Surrey. A 2.5% increase in our council tax precept – which translates to an increase of around 50p per month on the council tax bill for a Band D home – will mean the Police and Crime Commissioner will not face a budget crisis next year and that the achievements of recent years in strengthening the front line can be maintained into the future.”

This meeting – at which the police budget for 2012/13 is also due to be set – is to be webcast live via Waverley Borough Council’s website www.waverley.gov.uk

Background

These decisions form part of the radical process of changes initiated by Surrey Police Authority and Surrey Police in 2009 in anticipation of a reduction in Government funding for policing.

As well as making substantial savings by reducing the number of senior officers and staff, the police estate, which comprised a patchwork of stations of varying ages and states of repair, was identified as an area where further savings could be made from the annual cost of maintaining them. Many of these stations had daily visitor numbers in single figures. By basing police teams in other public places such as council offices and community centres, our estates costs could be reduced at the same time as maintaining – and strengthening – police presence in the community.

By reducing costs across the organisation, funding was released for 200 additional Police Constables. Home Office figures released last week confirmed that Surrey was the only Force in the country to increase officer numbers in the last year.

Buildings coming to market

The Authority will be asked to approve the following buildings to go onto the market in 2012:

Leatherhead Police Station;

Old Woking Police Office;

Egham Police Station;

Farnham Police Station;

Banstead Police Station; and

Camberley Police Station

In addition, the Authority will be asked to approve the beginning of negotiations with Partnerships for Schools for the sale of Cobham Police Station.

More information on these stations can be found in the meeting paper here: http://www.surreypa.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/18-OPR-Disposals-060212-Part-1.pdf

A broader update on the Surrey Police estates strategy can also be found here: http://www.surreypa.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/19-Estate-update-SPA-060212-v2.pdf

Sales to complete

The Authority will also be asked to give permission for the sales of Ash and Byfleet police stations to be completed.

Bids for both Ash and Byfleet had been accepted by the Authority at a public meeting in June 2011 but were subsequently withdrawn. New bids have now been received and the Authority will be asked to consider them.

The Police Post in the St Mary’s Centre, Byfleet has been operational since summer 2011. A Police Post in Japonica Court, Ash, is due to enter service by April/May 2012. The sale of Ash Police Station will not be completed until that time.

Owing to the commercial sensitivity of this item, it will be considered separately to the decision to put stations in the market in closed session after the public meeting.

Date: 6th February 2012

Time: 10am

Place: Waverley Borough Council Offices, Godalming

Contact: Alison Bolton, Telephone – 01483 630200

[For queries on content of the agenda and requests for copies of related documents, or if you would like this agenda in alternative language or format]

Fax: 01483 634502

E-mail: bolton11786@surrey.pnn.police.uk

MEMBERS:

Mrs Jane Anderson

Mr Bill Barker OBE

Mr Michael Blank

Mr David Harmer

Mrs Lynn Hawkins JP

Mrs Margaret Hicks

Mrs Heather Kerswell

Mrs Yvonna Lay

Mr Ernest Mallett MBE

Mr Geoff Marlow

Mrs Amanda Mills

Mrs Louise Rhodes

Mr Nick Skellett CBE

Mrs Claire Storey

Mrs Hazel Watson

Mrs Fiona White

Mr Peter Williams (Chairman)

NOTES:

1. Members are reminded that Standing Orders require any Member declaring a prejudicial interest to withdraw from the meeting during the discussion of that item, except in the circumstances referred to in Standing Order 71. If you have any queries concerning interests, please contact the Chief Executive or the Policy Officer with responsibility for Standards.

PART ONE

IN PUBLIC

1. Apologies for Absence – Agenda Item Only

2. Minutes of the last meeting – 15th December 2011

3. Matters Arising

4. Public Question Time – Agenda Item Only

5. Petitions – Agenda Item Only

6. Declarations of Interest – Agenda Item Only

7. Chairman’s Report – Verbal

8. Chief Constable’s Report – Part 1 – Verbal

ITEMS FOR DECISION/APPROVAL

9. Joint Neighbourhood Policing Survey Results

10. Results of 2012/13 SPA Priorities Consultation

11. Budget and Precept 2012-13

12. Draft Capital Programme 2012-13

13. Prudential Indicators, Annual Minimum Revenue Statement and Annual Treasury Management Strategy 2012/13

14. Police Authority/PCC Secretariat Budget for 2012-13

15. Finance Report

16. LPP Quarter 3 Performance

17. Annual Audit Letter

18. OPR Disposals

19. Estate Strategy Update

20. Police and Crime Commissioner Transition Update

21. SPA Equality Strategy

ITEMS FOR NOTING

22. Chief Executive’s Report

23. Panel Reports

23a. Human Resources, 5th December 2011

23b. Audit Committee Minutes, 12th December 2011

23c. Controlling Crime, 5th January 2012

23d. Citizen Focus – 23rd November 2011

24. Exclusion of Press and Public

At this meeting the Authority will agree the budget and council tax precept for Surrey Police for financial year 2012/13.

Other items on the agenda include:

- Marketing of a number of Surrey Police buildings

- Surrey Police performance in Quarter 3 of 2011/12

- Update on the Authority’s transition to an elected Police and Crime Commissioner in November 2012

Surrey Police Authority’s public meetings are an opportunity for local people to hear first hand about the major issues in policing in Surrey from the Authority and the Chief Constable. In addition, attendees have an opportunity to put their questions to the Authority and the Chief Constable on the policing topics that matter to them.

A full agenda and documentation for the meeting will be made available on the website in due course.

If you would like to attend the meeting in person or put a question to the Authority, please contact: Surrey Police Authority, PO Box 412, Guildford, Surrey GU3 1BR, or email SPA@surrey.police.uk. Any questions will be posed at the meeting for the Authority and Police force to respond. If you would like to ask a question but will be unable to attend, the Authority will be pleased to send a written version of the response given at the meeting.

If you would like to attend the meeting and have any special requirements please contact Surrey Police Authority on 01483 630 200 in advance of the meeting date to make any necessary arrangements.

Lynne Owens began her police career in the Metropolitan Police Service, posted to Catford in South East London. She transferred to Kent Police on promotion to Sergeant, where she trained and specialised as a detective. As a Detective Chief Inspector she was posted to the force major crime department as a Senior Investigating Officer.

Chief Constable Lynne Owens

Lynne transferred to Surrey Police in 2002, becoming a Divisional Commander in 2003 covering three boroughs. In January 2005, she was appointed Temporary Assistant Chief Constable (Specialist Operations). During that time she qualified as a Gold firearms Commander and took Gold Command of a number of critical incidents. Following successful completion of the Strategic Command Course, she was appointed Assistant Chief Constable (Territorial Operations), with responsibility for territorial divisions, partnership, criminal justice and neighbourhood policing.

In March 2008, Lynne was appointed as the Temporary Deputy Chief Constable leading a significant organisational change programme, professional standards department and collaboration in the South East Region.

In April 2009 she transferred to the Metropolitan Police Service having been appointed substantively as the Deputy Assistant Commissioner responsible for Territorial Policing.

In December 2010 Lynne took up post as an Assistant Commissioner and was appointed to the MPS Management Board. For the past year she has been the lead for public order policing in London, including the delivery of the Royal Wedding, and other uniformed specialisms. Since July she has also been responsible for a second business group leading the Specialist Crime Directorate.

Lynne was awarded the Queens Police Medal for distinguished service in the New Years Honours (2008).

Commenting on the appointment, Peter Williams, Chairman of Surrey Police Authority said:

“Appointing the Chief Constable is one of the most important responsibilities of the Police Authority and we have conducted a thorough selection process to make sure that we came to the right decision.

“Surrey Police, like the whole police service, faces major changes and serious financial pressure in the years ahead. At the end of the interview process it was clear that Lynne Owens is the right person to lead the Force through these challenging times.

“Lynne is an outstanding officer who has proven herself in some of the most difficult and high-profile roles in policing. We are sure she will be an excellent Chief Constable for Surrey Police and that the Force will continue to go from strength to strength under her leadership.”

Bernard Hogan-Howe, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service, commented:  ”I would like to say how sorry I am to lose such a talented officer as Lynne Owens. Her work for the Met has been excellent and this appointment is a great achievement for her. I am sure she will thrive on the challenge ahead and I wish her all the best for the future as Surrey’s Chief Constable.”

Lynne Owens said:

“Having spent much of my career with Surrey Police, I know just how dedicated and professional its officers and staff are. I am proud to have been appointed to lead them as their Chief Constable. I have had the privilege of working with some amazing people in the Metropolitan Police Service for the last few years but this presents a significant opportunity to lead my own organisation.

“I am under no illusions as to the challenges we face. However, I am optimistic that, with the great people we have and our shared belief in putting the needs of the public first, we can continue to deliver excellent service to the people of Surrey.”

The Application Process

- After the closing date for applications has passed, all applications are sent on to Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) for assessment.

They are considered first by a Senior Appointments Panel which includes the Chief Inspector of Constabulary; the President of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO); and representatives from the Association of Police Authorities (APA); the Home Office; along with an Independent Member.

The Panel makes recommendations to the Policing Minister who makes the final decision on which candidates are suitable for moving forward to the formal selection process.

This selection process consisted of formal interviews and presentations to a panel comprising members of Surrey Police Authority’s Senior Personnel Committee which includes SPA Chairman Peter Williams.. The Chief Executive of Surrey Police Authority and a representative of HMIC were also in attendance as observers.

The Lightwater station was approved to go onto the market by the Police Authority at a public meeting in November 2010.

Surrey Police has identified suitable replacement premises for the area’s Neighbourhood Team on Bagshot High Street, which is expected to be ready for operational use early in the New Year.

Due to the commercial sensitivities involved, the identities of the successful bidder and the agreed price will remain confidential.

Peter Williams, Chairman of Surrey Police Authority, commented:

“Today’s decision to accept a bid for Lightwater police station is a reminder that the difficult and radical change programme we began in 2009 to make savings throughout the organisation and release money for investment in the front line is still very much ongoing.

“At the beginning of this process of change we set a target of recruiting up to 200 additional Police Constables for Surrey with the savings we would make. I am pleased to say that, as 2011 comes to an end, we are on target to have recruited those 200 Constables by the end of this financial year.”

Having reviewed the reports presented over the course of two hours, the Authority resolved that the technical requirements had been met for the Force to continue with the exploratory procurement process as agreed at its public meeting on October 13th.

The Authority will continue to scrutinise the process as it develops. Surrey Police will present a further report to a Surrey Police Authority public meeting in the New Year to give Members the opportunity to discuss progress to date and to decide whether or not to proceed further with the procurement exercise. This meeting will be advertised in the usual way via this website and the local press.

Background

A proposal by Surrey Police to commence an exploratory procurement process with the private sector was put to Surrey Police Authority – the body of 17 Councillors and Independent Members of the public responsible for overseeing the Force – at a public meeting held on 13 October.

Following a lengthy and detailed debate, a majority of Authority members voted in favour of moving forward with the planned exploratory process, subject to its satisfaction with the technical arrangements to be put in place to begin the process. The Authority agreed that a subsequent meeting be held on 8th December to examine and discuss the first drafts of this technical documentation.

More on the original agreement from October: http://www.surreypa.gov.uk/2011/10/agreement-to-research-a-partnership-with-the-private-sector/

Date: 15th December 2011

Time: 10am

Place: Mount Browne, Police HQ, Guildford

Contact: Alison Bolton, Telephone – 01483 630200

[For queries on content of the agenda and requests for copies of related documents, or if you would like this agenda in alternative language or format]

Fax: 01483 634502

E-mail: bolton11786@surrey.pnn.police.uk

MEMBERS:

Mrs Jane Anderson

Mr Bill Barker OBE

Mr Michael Blank

Mr David Harmer

Mrs Lynn Hawkins JP

Mrs Margaret Hicks

Mrs Heather Kerswell

Mrs Yvonna Lay

Mr Ernest Mallett MBE

Mr Geoff Marlow

Mrs Amanda Mills

Mrs Louise Rhodes

Mr Nick Skellett CBE

Mrs Claire Storey

Mrs Hazel Watson

Mrs Fiona White

Mr Peter Williams (Chairman)

NOTES:

1. Members are reminded that Standing Orders require any Member declaring a prejudicial interest to withdraw from the meeting during the discussion of that item, except in the circumstances referred to in Standing Order 71. If you have any queries concerning interests, please contact the Chief Executive or the Policy Officer with responsibility for Standards.

PART ONE

IN PUBLIC

1. Apologies for Absence – Agenda Item Only

2. Minutes of the last meeting – 8 December 2011

3. Matters Arising – Verbal

4. Public Question Time – Agenda Item Only

5. Petitions – Agenda Item Only

6. Declarations of Interest – Agenda Item Only

7. Chairman’s Report – Verbal

8. Chief Constable’s Report – Part 1

ITEMS FOR DECISION/APPROVAL

9. Regulation A19 – Continuation of Use

10. Finance Report Month 6 – 2011/12

11. Local Policing Plan Quarter 2

12. Scheme of Members Allowances 2012-13

13. Update on the Localism Act

ITEMS FOR NOTING

14. Chief Executive’s Report

15. Panel Reports

15a. Professional Standards – 9th November

15b. Finance and Performance – 10th November

15c. Controlling Crime – 17th November

15d. Citizen Focus – 23rd November

16. Exclusion of Press and Public

Alison Bolton

Chief Executive of Surrey Police Authority

6th December 2011

The Lightwater office was approved to go onto the market by the Police Authority at a public meeting in November 2010.

Surrey Police has identified a suitable replacement premises for the area’s Neighbourhood Team on Bagshot High Street which is expected to be ready for operational use early in the New Year.

Due to the commercial sensitivities involved, the identities of bidders and the valuation of the property is currently confidential. For this reason, the sale of the station will be discussed in closed session at the end of the public meeting. An update on the decision will be issued after the meeting.