“LCA have a strong understanding of the challenges we face today. They have been instrumental in ensuring that PSD’s work is recognised within the Met and their efforts have added real value to our corporate real estate approach. We find them easy and positive to work with, very aware of the complex environment in which we operate and always on hand at the shortest of notice.
Their role in securing planning consents for new policing facilities as well as providing expert communication and consultation advice is vital and their knowledge and experience working across London is also of huge benefit to us.”
Since being appointed in 2004, LCA has provided ongoing communications and consultation advice to the Metropolitan Police Service – Property Services Department (PSD). This was originally based around the high profile Estates Strategy Building Towards the Safest City and most recently the 2010-14 Estates Strategy, which set out plans to transform the police estate across London.
LCA’s ongoing objective is to demonstrate how changes being made to the property assets will directly benefit policing in London. This includes maximising the use of facilities core to operational needs; addressing the issues around the closure of obsolescent police facilities, development of public facing facilities and other key policing facilities such as Custody Centres and Patrol Bases. LCA also works closely with the Met’s Environment Team (which sits within PSD) and promotes the valuable work they are doing to reduce the environmental footprint of the estate and also the wider MPS.
A lot of LCA’s work with PSD focuses on consultation around town planning applications for new policing facilities. LCA’s approach to consultation is to work with the individual Boroughs or Business Groups to develop tailored consultation strategies. As part of this, LCA has also prepared supporting communication and consultation materials in the form of information packs that are available for users to tailor to their own requirements.
We have helped develop and deliver consultation strategies for several Custody Centres and Patrol Bases as well as other dedicated policing facilities. LCA works closely with Borough teams to ensure that key messages are used along with appropriate means of consultation with stakeholders and communities for these sensitive developments. This has resulted in the successful granting of planning permission and development of new policing facilities including the first Custody Centres in London since 2000.
During 2010 LCA has started working with PSD and their operational colleagues on the consultation around temporary briefing centres required for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We are also playing a central role in supporting the efficiency savings being made to the estate as part of the overarching need for the Met to make better use of its resources. This new corporate approach the Met are taking to the planning, delivery, operation and use of property is reflected in the new estates strategy which has just been published. LCA will continue to support and promote this strategy and the changes it will bring about to ensure that these are properly understood by internal and external audiences across London.