DN 06/YNYCA/DM/2024 – Victims’ Centre Additional Investment

DN 06/YNYCA/DM/2024 Date 05/11/2024

Background 

As set out in Decision Notice DN 22/2021 – Creation of a Victims’ Centre the then Commissioner took the decision to purchase a commercial property to establish a new Victims’ Centre in York. This property was to house York and North Yorkshire’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre (“SARC”) and Child Sexual Assault Assessment Services (“CSAAS”) facilities alongside two new Video-Recorded (“VRI”) Interview suites. VRIs are utilised by North Yorkshire Police to take statements from vulnerable victims and witnesses, including children and young people. 

The Forensic Science Regulator (“FSR”) ensures that the provision of forensic science services across the criminal justice system (including SARC and CSAAS) is subject to an appropriate regime of scientific quality standards. In 2020 a new requirement for all SARC/CSAAS to be accredited by the UK Accreditation Service (“UKAS”) under ISO 15189 was announced. Failure to meet the accreditation standards by October 2025 must be disclosed in any subsequent criminal justice proceedings.  

The commercial property outlined in the previous Decision Notice was purchased in May 2022 and Architects were then appointed to begin designing the initial concept drawings to meet the operational and accreditation requirements for both SARC/CSAAS and VRI facilities.  

A revised ISO 15189 was published in December 2022, and updated FSR Codes of Practice and supporting guidance were issued in March 2023 leading to several re-designs to ensure the facilities would be compliant with essential forensic requirements. This has delayed planned progress, lengthening implementation timeframes. 

The Building Contract was awarded in December 2023, and work commenced on site in February 2024. Issues identified on site once works commenced have necessitated further revisions to the plans to ensure Building Control compliance, with increased costs incurred as a result. Building works are now due to be completed in December 2024. 

Information detailing the incurred costs and revised projected financial investment required to complete the Victims’ Centre in December has been provided to the Deputy Mayor in making this decision. Purchase of the building and the full projected costs of designing and installing the necessary facilities are in the region of £3m. In the interests of achieving the best commercial terms in respect of the ongoing refurbishment works, more detailed financial parameters have not been included within this Decision Notice. It is anticipated that in due course, the existing SARC premises will be sold, realising a capital return to offset some of the cost of the new premises.  

Creating a new dedicated Victims’ Centre for York and North Yorkshire will: 

• ensure our SARC/CSAAS will be able to achieve UKAS Accreditation;  

• ensure continued delivery of these services for victims of rape and sexual assault to support them to recover, heal and rebuild their lives; 

• provide accessible facilities for those with mobility needs; 

• improve the overall experience of all victims using these facilities; 

• support officers in achieving best evidence when interviewing victims and witnesses by helping them feel more assured and comfortable; and 

• assist North Yorkshire Police in effectively meeting the requirements of Sections 27 and 28 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999. 

Decision Record 

The Deputy Mayor has taken the decision to increase the financial investment into the new Victims’ Centre. This will help ensure that the facilities: are completed as soon as possible; meet the UKAS accreditation and Building Control compliance requirements; and provide an environment that better meets the needs of victims and vulnerable people. 

Jo Coles 

York and North Yorkshire Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime  

Statutory Officer Advice 

Legal, Management and Equality Implications 

The Mayors Corporate Director for Policing, Fire and Crime having read this report and having considered such information as has been provided at the time of being asked to express this view, is satisfied that this report does not ask the Mayor/Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire & Crime to make a decision which would (or would be likely to) give rise to a contravention of the law.    

Simon Dennis  

Corporate Director and Deputy Monitoring Officer 

Financial and Commercial 

The Mayors Assistant Director of Resources has advised that the additional funding to support these proposals will be funded through additional borrowing as needed. The additional costs of this borrowing is affordable within the agreed and forecast Asset Management budget held by the Deputy Mayor. The expected overall financial implications of this decision have been provided to the Deputy Mayor in making this decision however they have not been included within this Decision Notice to ensure that the best commercial terms can be achieved. 

Michael Porter 

Assistant Director of Resources