Information about the Royal Park Operational Command Unit

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.25.043406

I note you seek access to the following information:

1. I understand that there is a Met proposal to disband the Royal Park Operational Command Unit.
   What are the current annual costs of that Unit.
   How much of that cost is headcount and how much other costs.
   What is the projected cost saving in the Met plan as a result of this measure.
2. I believe there are currently 66 staff in that Royal Parks Unit, and it is hoped that other roles can be found for the individuals involved, rather than redundancy.
   However, is it correct that the plan envisages these individuals filling existing vacancies in the borough police, rather than the creation of any new roles at borough level.

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full. Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Q1a - What are the current annual costs of that Unit.

2024 - 2025 Budget = £5,870,000

Q1b - How much of that cost is headcount and how much other costs.

Headcount (Pay and OT) = £ 5,820,000 Other = £50,000

Q1c - What is the projected cost saving in the Met plan as a result of this measure

We are currently in the process of working through various efficiencies hence we can’t confirm what the value of the saving will be.

Q2 - I believe there are currently 66 staff in that Royal Parks Unit, and it is hoped that other roles can be found for the individuals involved, rather than redundancy.

However, is it correct that the plan envisages these individuals filling existing vacancies in the borough police, rather than the creation of any new roles at borough level.

We have yet to make a final decision, however if the Royal Parks posts are removed from the Met’s budgeted workforce plan, we envisage that the people current filling those posts will be re-deployed into other priority roles across the MPS.