Police sign deals over new housing
Unprecedented growth could overwhelm Northamptonshire Police in coming years unless developers agree to funding deals with the force.
A report by Paul Bullen, the force's strategic growth manager, has outlined seven possible developments which have already signed on to Section 106 agreements with the police, potentially funding start-up costs for new officers and safer community team bases.
But in the report, to be discussed at a meeting of Northamptonshire Police Authority's partnerships and collaboration committee, Mr Bullen notes that if the county grows as predicted, the force will rely on more such agreements being confirmed.
He said: "The force continues to work both locally and nationally to ensure the implications of the growth agenda are understood and partnership arrangements are in place to mitigate its impacts.
"Should the force be unsuccessful in gaining appropriate contributions from new development, there is a risk it may not have the necessary infrastructure to police a growing population."
As part of the Milton Keynes South Midlands (MKSM) housing development plans, Northamptonshire's population is expected to grow to more than 850,000.
Mr Bullen said plans were already in place for some Section 106 agreements with developments around the county.
He said: "Seven developments across the county have agreed to provide developer contributions to the force. It should be noted that some of these have not yet received planning permission and so may not occur.
"These payments will help to provide Safer Community Team accommodation and possibly funding towards start up costs for new officers or staff.
"In addition, CCTV and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and design issues have been addressed.
"The secured contributions are linked to house building. The current recession means that anticipated timescales for receiving contributions have slipped.
"However, the need for the contributions only occurs as development takes place and so the force is not being disadvantaged."
The seven Section 106 agreements already made relate to developments which are all expected to be in place by 2018.
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Wednesday 08 February 2012
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