Executive Summary:
As a result of the work undertaken by Project I and further initiatives underway through the Agile and Orbis programmes, there is an opportunity to review the current physical estate which is required to deliver policing within Cleveland.
The recent merger of the Vulnerable Persons Unit (VPU) North and VPU South teams into a central tream to be housed in Middlesbrough HQ, has provided the opportunity to review the need for the buildings that both teams are currently located within.
Due to the relocation of both teams into Middlesbrough HQ both the VPU Billingham and VPU Kirkleatham buildings will become empty and are no longer required by the force. It is therefore recommended that the leases of the buildings are ended.
Due to break clauses within the contract, Cleveland Police have exercised the right to terminate the leases, this had to be exercised prior to June 2013 and before recommendation to the PCC. This allows the earliest possible exit from the leases if approved. The lease for VPU Billingham would end in October 2013 and Kirkleatham in June 2014. Failure to have exercised this right would have tied the PCC into these lease agreements for a number of years. There is scope to continue the lease if it is deemed that the buildings are still necessary.
It is the recommendation of the Agile programme that the leases end as per the agreement with the landlords. There are substantial savings to be made with the ending of the leases, VPU Billingham costs aproximately £60,000 per annum and VPU Kirkleatham approximately £80,000 per annum.
Both sites are not public facing and the functions have been accommodated into Middlesbrough HQ as part of the Orbis structural changes.
Decision 38-2013: Agile Working programme – Estate Utilisation (application, 327kB)