Agenda item

The Panel considered the report of the PCC relating to the new Investigative Hub (for copy see file of Minutes).  The Chair noted that the facility included cell blocks, custody suite and investigative hub.

The Chief Finance Officer explained that the hub was much more than just 48 cells, he explained that there were 140 desks for Detectives and other staff and there was now centralised storage, as well as centralised facility for Crime Scene Investigation, from four sites down to one. 

He noted Home Office regulations had helped shape the proposals and explained there had been internal meetings that had been chaired over the last few years by the late PCC, Ron Hogg, the Interim PCC, Steve White and the current PCC, Joy Allen.  He added that there had been questions from the public at the Public Accountability meetings and consultation events, with over 50 events having taken place with groups including MPs, Area Action Partnerships (AAPs), the Cabinets and Chief Executives from Durham County Council and Darlington Borough Council, the North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) and Circuit Judges.  The Chief Finance Officer noted concerns raised included the impact on rush hour traffic and noise with those issues having been looked at during the planning stage.  He added that the Council’s Planning Officers had offered very good challenge to the OPCC and Force at each stage.  He noted the report set out all the details and key points.

The Chair thanked the Chief Finance Officer and asked the Panel for their questions.

Mr R Rodiss noted that on the face of it, it seemed very good, however, as noted by the Chair it had been initially referred to as a custody suite.  He noted that speaking to two Local MPs they had felt the proposals were for a custody suite and now they were for an investigative hub.  He added that the public had not been given the opportunity to ask questions as they had not known that the proposals were for an investigative hub.  He noted the number of available workstations and added that when looking at the numbers required for forensic officers it would leave a number of surplus desks and asked who the remaining desks would be for.  The Chief Finance Officer noted they would be for Detectives.  Mr R Rodiss asked as regards the move of Officers from four divisional headquarters to the new hub, and if therefore would those sites be at risk.  The Chief Finance Officer referred to the recruitment of Police Officers and further recruitments scheduled to take place which would lead to an increase in Officer numbers from around 2,100 to 2,500, each with a density of around five square metres per person across the Police estate.  Mr R Rodiss noted that Crook Station was around six Officers, down from 50 previously and asked if there would be moves back to smaller stations in local areas rather than the four larger regional headquarters.  The Chief Finance Officer noted there were those smaller local stations, in addition to the four large stations.  Mr R Rodiss asked what would happen to those large stations as a result of moving staff to the Hub and smaller stations.  The Chief Finance Officer noted those four stations would still be required to provide accommodation for teams such as Response Teams, Neighbourhood Teams, PCSOs, Intelligence and Firearms, with around 80 at each of the large stations and with “front counter” staff being retained.  He added that the Darlington Station would incorporate a Multiagency Safeguarding Hub. 

The PCC noted that it was important to continue to use Darlington Station and added that it was an exemplar in terms of multiagency work, with staff that had moved to there from the County Council.  She added she had seen positive progress at Bishop Auckland with modernisation to help enable hot desk working with the use of tablets.  Mr R Rodiss noted he felt it was very naïve, with it being key to tackling crime being able to involve the local community and added that by having all Detectives in one place then there may not be as much of a sense of ownership, for example working on a case in Peterlee one week, and Stanley the next.  He added it made sense in terms of financing, however he felt it would be a problem in terms of high turnover of Officers.  The Chief Finance Officer noted he disagreed in terms of who dealt with cases, adding from his experience in attending the morning briefings at stations that PCSOs and Neighbourhood Teams have intelligence on who targets were.  Mr R Rodiss noted he felt that represented too much responsibility for PCSOs and added that having all Detectives at the new Investigative Hub would mean they would not have local understanding and asked if that therefore would have implications in terms of a requirement for additional Officers and staff to attend Court.  He added there would be no continuity for the public.  The Chief Finance Officer noted that the primary investigation would be for the Responding Officer, with Detectives to carry out any secondary investigation, adding Detectives currently could deal with cases across the county.

Councillor L Hovvels stated she felt the new Hub was the way forward and noted from her previous involvement, as former Chair of the Panel, that feedback from staff was positive.  She noted the concerns that had come forward from those residents nearby to the Hub and she understood that staff from the OPCC or Force had spoke to residents door-to-door about the issues raised.  The PCC noted that there had been very extensive consultation carried out at the time, with no objections from the public.  She noted the engagement work carried out had a positive impact, with Croxdale Parish Council having objected and with Spennymoor Town Council having commented on the proposals.  She added that PCSOs and Neighbourhood Teams were important in terms of local knowledge, with the key being the local community.  She added she would encourage the public to use 101 or Crimestoppers to come forward with information, and she would also ask Members to encourage their use too.  The PCC noted that the proposals related to how the Chief Constable wanted to arrange things operationally, though added that she would hold the Chief Constable to account in terms of progress.

The Chair asked about progress of the work on site.  The Chief Finance Officer noted that works were progressing, with the skeleton of the building having been erected, though there was a delay in the schedule of around six weeks.

Councillor A Savory noted that the PCSOs in her area were excellent and worked with the local schools.  She added that such work in building up confidence within local communities was paramount and noted it was important to encourage good citizenship with young people.

Mr R Rodiss asked if Councillors and MPs had been notified of the second stage in respect of the Hub, notably the centralisation of CID services.  The Chief Finance Officer noted it had been explained at briefings.  Mr R Rodiss asked when it would be announced to the public as he understood residents were under the impression they were just for cells, rather than the wider use by CID.  The Chief Finance Officer noted that through the planning process the use had been explained.  The PCC noted that she had spoken in press releases numerous times updating on the progress, especially once the development had reached the planning permission stage, adding she could find those press releases for the Panel.  Mr R Rodiss noted that while around 700 people of the York Hill estate may have seen consultation letters, the other approximately half a million members of the public did not know as regards the updated proposals for the Hub and added he felt it should be announced to the rest of the County.  Councillor L Hovvels asked as regards the Communications Strategy and how it related in this case.  The PCC stated that in a press release in July she had noted that work would be completed next year in respect of the Hub, with 48 cells and accommodation for CID, other staff and storage.  She added she would bring back further information on press releases to the Panel.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.