City of cockburn
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Background Council, at its meeting of 17 June 2003, resolved as follows:- “(1) based on the findings of the research into security and safety issues in Cockburn, support the concept of providing a security service in the form of a district wide mobile security/surveillance patrol to operate on a full time (i.e. 24 hours/7 days per week) basis; (2) require the preparation of a Business Plan to include amongst other matters, costs associated with establishing an “in house” patrol service comprising of staff and equipment recruited/acquired by the City of Cockburn to undertake the functions described in (1) above; and (3) upon completion of the investigation undertaken in (2) above, report the resultant information back to Council for further consideration.” The City Administration has carried out preliminary investigation into the many aspects of the provision of a security patrol service for the City. It is considered opportune and of value to seek some more specific direction from Council on the nature and extent of the service envisaged, particularly in light of the likely costs associated with the various possible service models. Submission N/A Report Security Patrol Services come in many forms and consequently with varying costs. In accordance with the general direction provided by Council at its June 2003 meeting three (3) Service Models have been developed and approximate costs established. It is to be noted that the response times are indicative only as the level and nature of call-outs are unknown at this time. There is reference to response times as being Category One calls which can be defined as where there is a safety issue with a threat to person or property. It is assumed that the patrol will provide the same level of service to Council property as other property in the district. MODEL 1 Scope A Security Patrol that provides ongoing pro-active patrols throughout the whole of the City with an “On Call” Service to ratepayers of the City of Cockburn. A full coverage service designed to ensure all street and public areas in the City are patrolled on a regular basis. The Service will also act as a visual deterrent to criminals and reassurance to citizens that assistance is close at hand should they need it. This service is designed to rapidly respond to customer’s requests for service in line with Council’s priority specifications. Staff Requirements The role of the attending staff is seen as predominately a containment role before the arrival of other agencies (police, ambulance, fire and other council services etc). This model provides 5 operational patrols on each 12-hour shift 7 days per week. It is expected that this model would provide a service in which 90% of category 1 calls would have a vehicle in attendance within 10 minutes. The Service staff will have access to a number of agencies whose details and information they can pass onto the person requesting the assistance. MODEL 2 Scope A Community Watch Service that essentially provides for an ‘On Call’ Service whilst ongoing pro-active patrols are being conducted throughout the City, with identified crime/anti social behaviour hotspots receiving particular attention. The Service will respond to calls for assistance within the City boundaries and the timeliness of those responses will be determined by four levels of priority provided for in the Service Standards together with consideration of current workloads. Staff Requirements The role of the attending staff is seen as predominately a containment role before the arrival of other agencies (police, ambulance, fire and other council services etc). This model provides for an average of 4 operational patrols on each 12-hour shift 7 days per week. It is expected that this model would provide a service in which 90% of category 1 calls would have a vehicle in attendance within 20 minutes. The Service staff will have access to a number of agencies whose details and information they can pass onto the person requesting the assistance. MODEL 3 Scope A Security Service that provides for primarily an “On Call” vehicular patrol service. There will also be limited vehicular patrols of streets within the City when tasking allows. Staff Responsibility The role of the attending staff is seen as predominately a containment role before the arrival of other agencies (police, ambulance, fire and other council services etc). This model provides for an average of 3 operational patrols on each 12-hour shift 7 days per week. It is expected that this model would provide a service in which 90% of category 1 calls would have a vehicle in attendance within 30 minutes. The Service staff will have access to a number of agencies whose details and information they can pass onto the customer requesting the assistance. The vast majority of the costs associated with security patrols are staff related. The current award under which the patrol officers would be employed is poorly adapted for extended out of hours services such as security patrols. It is understood that there may be scope through the development of a specific Enterprise Bargaining Agreement for Cockburn Security Patrols to achieve a more flexible and cost effective wage structure. The salaries/wage costs identified for the service are conservative with some potential for negotiated savings. The other significant cost is that of vehicles’ operating, maintenance and replacement. For the broad costings provided the average annualised whole of life cost for a range of vehicles from 4 to 6 cylinders has been used. All other operating costs are of lesser significance and have a high level of confidence in accuracy. A summary of operating cost estimates for each service model are as follows:-
The significant increase in costs from year 1 to year 2 is mainly due to the increase in wages because relief staff need to be employed to cover periods of annual leave as well as the payment of leave loading. Under the Award, staff progress through 4 levels usually on a year-by-year basis subject to staff performance. This requirement could be addressed in a specific E.B.A. for security patrols. The other increase is due to recurring costs following the initial establishment costs. Note there has been no inflation figure factored into the year 2 budget. On the assumption that there are approximately 30,000 levied properties within the City, the cost per rateable property for the 3 models over the initial two years are as follows:-
These figures would recoup the annual operating expenses for the service models as described, not including set up costs. There are significant costs associated with the establishment of a security patrol service, the most significant being vehicle purchase and equipping and accommodation. As there is no space available within the depot for a base for the patrol service, new accommodation would be required. The cost of another module to be added to the budgeted depot extension with fit out is estimated to be $145,000. The total Capital cost for the various models is as follows:-
The availability of funds for the purchase of these capital items has yet to be identified, although a source(s) of funding will be evident by the time the Business Plan is due in November 2003. Council has the option of utilising its own funds or amortising them over, say, a 5-year period through the service charge. If this latter option were taken up, the additional charge on the levy would be without interest on the money as follows:
Another matter that needs to be considered should the City proceed with a security patrol service, is when it is to begin and from what point the levy is imposed. Section 6.38 of the Local Government Act gives the power to impose a service charge and the associated regulation allows such a charge to be imposed for security patrols. Realistically, given that Council is to consider the Business Plan for Security Patrols in November 2003, an on the road patrol service could not be operational before 1 March 2004. In any case, it is highly questionable whether Council can, in fact, raise a service charge outside the annual budget adoption timeframe. Strategic Plan/Policy Implications Key Result Area “Facilitating the Needs of Your Community” refers. Budget/Financial Implications Security patrols are able to be funded by a separately costed Service Charge (levy), or may be absorbed into general rates. Legal Implications Local Government (Financial Management) Amendment Regulations 1999 refer (Reg. 54) Community Consultation Extensive community opinion has been sought. Should the Council proceed with the security patrol services, then there will be a requirement to prepare a Business Case which could most likely involve community consultation. Implications of Section 3.18(3) Local Government Act, 1995 Private security patrols are hired by individual businesses in the district to undertake after hours patrols. Any district-wide programme could incur an additional service charge on all properties within Cockburn identified as being recipients of the service. 18. EXECUTIVE DIVISION ISSUES Nil 19. MOTIONS OF WHICH PREVIOUS NOTICE HAS BEEN GIVEN Nil 20
Nil. Note: The Chief Executive Officer advised that Mayor Lee had agreed to the addition of the next item. Whilst the report had been distributed, the Officer's recommendation was read aloud by the Chief Executive Officer. 21. NEW BUSINESS OF AN URGENT NATURE INTRODUCED BY DECISION OF MEETING BY COUNCILLORS OR OFFICERS 21.1
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