Lincolnshire
Police Authority

Lincolnshire Police Authority has today made a key decision that will transform the way policing is delivered in Lincolnshire and create a benchmark for service delivery nationwide.

Subject to contract, the Authority has selected G4S as its preferred bidder to enter into a strategic partnership that will provide a number of services to support front line policing.

This progressive model, which complements the successful restructuring of the organisation and regional collaboration in the provision of major crime functions, will enable the force to deliver further essential cost savings, whilst underpinning local policing and enabling investment in new technologies.

The partnership will deliver the following services:

Operational Services

• Custody & ID Unit(excludes custody sergeant role)
• Force Control Room (excludes inspector role)
• Town Enquiry officers
• Crime Management Bureau
• Central Ticket Office and Collisions Unit
• Criminal Justice Unit
• Firearms Licensing (excluding manager and initially licensing officers)
• Resource Management Unit

Business Support

• ICT
• HR Services (excluding Occupational Health Unit)
• HR Learning & Development
• Assets and Facilities Management (including Fleet Management)
• Finance & Procurement
• Support Services

The total value of the contract is in excess of £200m.

Joint statement from Lincolnshire Police Authority Chairman Barry Young and Chief Constable Richard Crompton:

The Authority was determined to provide a sustainable solution for policing Lincolnshire. In the event, we are confident that our decisions will not only ensure the best possible outcomes for the communities we serve, but also that they have put us firmly in the vanguard for change in the way British policing is delivered.

Reacting quickly to the financial challenges imposed by the Government, we had already completed extensive organisational re-structuring which, allied with more regional collaboration, has proved extremely effective. Throughout this period of change – probably the most significant in the history of Lincolnshire Police – our priorities have always been, and will continue to be, protecting the people of Lincolnshire, providing the best services possible and the best value for money.

The aim has been to create a model that will transform policing and its delivery – allowing the organisation space to begin to bridge the financial gap whilst maintaining, modernising and improving services.

Over the period of the contract this new approach will make significant savings, whilst also providing investment in key areas like IT infrastructure. The subsequent streamlining of processes will free up officer time to concentrate on operational policing.

The partnership deal has the widest scope of any for policing in the country and is now open to other Authorities. The Lincolnshire model is the new benchmark; underpinning the future of local policing and investing in new technologies and services.

If additional Authorities decide to obtain services through the contract, they could be provided from Lincolnshire – potentially giving a boost to local employment.

This new approach will mean that  the leanest police force in Britain, which already provides its services at the lowest cost per head of population, will be able to meet the challenges laid down by the government whilst also meeting the high standards rightly expected by the people of Lincolnshire.

This is not a total solution and the Authority still faces significant financial challenges, but it does provide a solid foundation to secure quality and value for money policing of our communities in the future.

Notes to editors

BACKGROUND

In 2010 the Government imposed a 20 per cent real terms cut in grant for all police authorities across the country, to be achieved by 2014/15. In Lincolnshire that translates to £20.8m in four years.

The challenge faced by the Authority was to realise those savings while maintaining and even improving service delivery, along with securing vital capital investment in things like the force’s IT infrastructure.

The procurement process timeline: 

• The Authority approved the commencement of the strategic partnership procurement process on 25 March, 2011. 
• Following publication of the contract notice in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) on 30 March, 2011, twelve submissions were received from interested parties by the deadline of 6 May, 2011. 
• Following evaluation on 20 May, 2011, the Authority’s Strategic Planning Committee invited five bidders to partake in the first stage of competitive dialogue.  These bidders submitted more detailed solutions on 21 July, 2011. 
• Following evaluation on 5 August, 2011, the Authority approved the commencement of a second stage of competitive dialogue with the two highest scoring bidders, G4S and Steria with Reliance. Final bids were submitted on 30 November, 2011.
• On 21 December Lincolnshire Police Authority identified G4S as the preferred bidder.

Issued by : Alan Hardwick , LPA Marketing and Media Officer

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