Cannock police officers could move to council base
Police in Cannock will set up a front desk at the town's council house under new plans to share office space, it has emerged.
Staffordshire's Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis revealed discussions had been ongoing for several months.
He inherited the plan, under wraps until now, but said he was 'enthusiastic' about the idea.
If it goes ahead, it is understood that uniformed officers will move into the ballroom at the Beecroft Road civic headquarters.
The police station in Wolverhampton Road is not believed to be under threat at this stage.
Mr Ellis has now ordered a 'root and branch' review into the way all the force's buildings, estates and assets across the county are used.
"I want to see police more visible and accessible to local people and a greater sense that they are back in the community," he said.
"The mini-case review on the Cannock proposal will take a few weeks to complete but I am enthusiastic at the co-location of public services to improve access for local people."
Creating new police bases would have to be part of a comprehensive long-term approach, he added.
The proposed transfer to the council headquarters is part of a £500,000 revamp of the civic building to accommodate up to 140 extra people, including county council employees and staff from the Staffordshire Partnership Trust following the closure of Ivy House in Cannock.
The scheme will create a multi-agency hub designed to save money and create a more efficient way of working.
Council leader George Adamson said using empty office space was a good way of keeping bills down. The authority will receive an annual income of £113,000 from the Partnership Trust, which is expected to take up two floors.
Mr Ellis said there was currently no coherent strategy concerning the way buildings and assets are used.
"I want to develop a strong strategy for police buildings and assets, which uses public money more effectively, provides more opportunities for local people to get several public services in one convenient place and makes best use of the multi-million pound investment in mobile technology, which will free up police to be visible in communities for thousands of hours more across Staffordshire each week.
"The plans I inherited for moving police officers into the council building are well worth exploring further but it must be a comprehensive approach, which works, not just somewhere to house them that will do.
"The fact that significant amounts of money was spent on the police station just before I took office must also be understood and officials are examining the proposals to ensure it is the right thing to do in the longer term."
