Ref: PCC/D/2023/31
Executive Summary
Pathfinder is a charitable organisation funded through the Police and Crime Commissioner’s grant scheme to provide driver training to young people. An element of the money is utilised to support care leavers, particularly in Telford.
An arrangement had been in place for a number of years where Pathfinder had access to police vehicles (that have reached the end of their operational life) for a short period of time to support delivery of the programme with young people.
There is appetite to alter the nature of this arrangement. Rather than providing loaned vehicles on a continuing basis, it is recommended that the PCC provide a small number of ex police vehicles as a one-off donation to the charity.
The vehicles will be donated with a clear transfer of ownership. Upon transfer a new partnership will commence between Pathfinder and Heart of Worcestershire College to also support students on Mechanical Engineering courses who will service and maintain the vehicles.
Proposal
That the Police and Crime Commissioner authorise the donation and transfer the ownership of three ex-West Mercia Police vehicles at the end of their useful operational life vehicles to Pathfinder.
This constitutes a one-off arrangement and creates no recurring commitment or liability for the PCC.
Approval Of
West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner
Part 1 – Non-Confidential/Exempt Facts and Figures
Supporting Report
Pathfinder is a charitable organisation funded through the Police and Crime Commissioner’s grant scheme to provide driver training to young people. An element of the money is utilised to support care leavers, particularly in Telford.
An arrangement had been in place for a number of years where Pathfinder had access to police vehicles (that have reached the end of their operational life) for a short period of time to support delivery of the programme with young people. The vehicles aren’t used for any other police purpose but are serviced by the force to ensure they remain road legal.
There is appetite to alter the nature of this arrangement. Rather than providing loaned vehicles on a continuing basis, it is recommended that the PCC provide a small number of ex police vehicles as a one-off donation to the charity. The Commissioner would release and transfer ownership of the vehicles to Pathfinder as a grant. This would enable the charity to continue to provide the training to young people, but remove any ongoing commitment, administration, maintenance and potential liability for the PCC (and by extension West Mercia Police).
The vehicles are accepted by the third party in the condition that they are donated, and there is an understanding that no legal obligation remains with the West Mercia PCC on donation.
If the vehicles are later disposed of, funds received from should be applied to acquisition of replacement vehicles for the charity, or other similar charitable purposes.
Strategic Considerations
This decision supports the following element(s) of the Safer West Mercia Plan:
Building a More Secure West Mercia
Reassuring West Mercia’s Communities
The decision supports this/ these objective(s) through the following:
- Reduce the harm associated with West Mercia’s roads through driver education for young people
Benefits and their Realisation:
Supporting partners and care leavers to improve road safety across West Mercia.
Author
Charity Pearce
Date: 16/10/2023
Financial and Treasurer Comments
There are no identified financial implications from the transfer of the assets to a third party. There is a residual value of the vehicles that will not be realised from sale on the open market, however the value is minimal due to the vehicle models, age and mileage.
On donation there is expectation that there is no further liability to West Mercia PCC.
17/10/2023
Legal Considerations
By virtue of schedule 11, paragraph 14 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 the Police and Crime Commissioner may do anything which is calculated to facilitate, or is conducive or incidental to, the exercise of the functions of commissioner. That includes: entering into contracts and other agreements (whether legally binding or not) and acquiring and disposing of property (including land).
Public Access to Information
Information in this form is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI Act) and other legislation. Part 1 of this form will be made available on the West Mercia Commissioner’s website. Any facts and advice that should not be made automatically available on request are not included in Part 1 but instead in a separate Part 2 report.
Officer Approval
Date: 19/10/23
