Plans approved for future police buildings in the West Midlands
With confirmation that both Quinton and Tipton will be retained.
The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Simon Foster has agreed to plans for changes to the way police buildings in the West Midlands will be used in future.
At the Strategic Police and Crime Board meeting today (Tuesday 24 October), Mr Foster and his board of representatives, carefully and publicly scrutinised the plans which will see a range of new or refurbished buildings brought into use, whilst other expensive and under-used sites will be sold or the leases left to expire.
The officer who put the plans forward Chief Constable Craig Guildford - says tough decisions have had to be made, but that he's confident the proposals create good working environments and save vital funds, while maintaining a strong local presence to deliver on the mission of working in partnership to make communities safer.
He goes on to say that the PCC owns the buildings and he has made recommendations on how they are used to support the delivery of operational policing. He says as a responsible, publicly funded organisation, it is important that we routinely review our estate.
He says the new estates plan is evidence-based and considers issues such as occupancy levels post-Covid, running costs, maintenance, the impact of the new operating model, response times and proximity to other police buildings. This is very much demonstrated by the newly acquired station in Dudley which was announced earlier this month. He adds they moved quickly to purchase an existing building at a sensible cost ready to occupy much quicker than a proposed new-build. Similarly, they have opened more custody suites across the force which has seen arrests increase substantially - no longer planning to build a further custody super-block in the south of the force as best use of the existing sites is made.
He goes on to say that operationally he previously updated on how he was carefully considering previous decisions in the light of the new policing model and that both Quinton and Tipton will be retained. Willenhall in Coventry will be refurbished and the Little Park Street site will be disposed of after a new public contact and Neighbourhood base in the city centre has been opened
He says there will of course be people who are disappointed with the plan but the reality is that next year alone West Midlands Police must make savings of ÂŁ21m. Last year savings of ÂŁ30m were made. He says he underlines his belief which is shared by many members of the public , that buildings are important but people deliver the service and that he is determined to maintain the investment in local, dedicated officers and staff with the right attitude, skills, and equipment as they make communities safe, not bricks.