Resource to Support Delivery of National Housing Strategy

In 2021, the Police Scotland Housing Strategy was approved. The National Housing Strategy proposes a blended approach which, in areas where no leasing opportunities exist with local housing associations or local authorities, identifies SPA-owned residential properties for ‘Retain & Invest’. Through delivery of this approach where required, the outcomes will provide a long term 25-year solution for retained housing stock, as well as supporting our Estate Strategy, our People Strategy, our Environmental Strategy, our Annual Policing Plans and supporting Scottish Government’s target of reaching carbon neutral by 2040.

Currently delivery of the National Housing Strategy is being managed by the Estates Transformation (North) team, who will remain in support and will provide oversight and a point of contact for any specialist services support.

This requirement is to secure additional resource to support the continued delivery of the National Housing Strategy, notably:

1 x Housing Planner

1 x Housing Asset Management Officer

Full indicative roles & responsibilities are contained in attached document.

It would be desirable that these roles are each filled by one person on a full-time basis, however alternative solutions will be considered as long as the requirement is appropriately staffed. It is likely the requirements of the service may begin to reduce from year 2 or 3 onwards, for the remaining duration of the contract – this is in line with the required level of service reducing as properties are working through.

This specific area of work is subject to oversight and scrutiny by the Strategic and Tactical Remote and Rural Working Groups, chaired by the North Territorial Assistant Chief Constable and N Division Commander respectively. A main aspect of these groups focuses on the availability of suitable accommodation for officers and their families in order to meet their operational objectives.