Humberside emergency services in talks over joint facility

POLICE and fire officers are in talks over constructing a shared building to save taxpayers' money.

Humberside police and crime commissioner Matthew Grove has spearheaded the talks after learning police were planning to spend £7.8m on a new corporate building in Melton.

Senior officers had wanted a new building for operational and support staff, including the regional underwater search unit, and a large area for police vehicles and equipment.

If a new shared building was approved, it would house staff, equipment and joint vehicle maintenance workshops for both emergency services.

Family Wildlife Discovery Offer

RSPB Blacktoft Sands

View details

Print voucher

Come and discover the wildlife at Blacktoft Sands nature reserve for just £6. Offer includes entry for 2 adults and up to 3 children, binocular hire and activities for children. Normal value £12.

Terms: Redeem voucher at visitor reception during opening hours, 9am to 5pm. Only, one pair of binoculars per voucher, customers will need to leave car keys as a deposit for binoculars.

Contact: 01405 800024

Valid until: Saturday, June 15 2013

Mr Grove said: "It should be possible for two emergency services covering the same geographical area to work together to deliver a shared facility."

However, he was unable to say how much money a shared building for the fire and police services would save.

The Mail understands Humberside Fire and Rescue Service was involved in the initial plan for the Melton building, but pulled out last year.

A spokesman for the fire service said officers are "cautiously optimistic" a shared building would save public money.

Mr Grove said options would be presented to him and Humberside Fire Authority after being considered by the force and the fire service.

He said: "These will focus on both maintaining operational capacity and capability while generating significant savings for both organisations to help meet the challenge of the comprehensive spending review."

Humberside Fire and Rescue Service said they were exploring potential benefits of a shared building.

A spokesman said: "Much work remains to be done but the fire service is cautiously optimistic it may be possible to generate additional savings from such a collaboration."

Plans for the new police building had been supported by Humberside Police Authority as part of the force's estates strategy.

The authority was abolished in November when Mr Grove was elected as the region's first police and crime commissioner.

Humberside Police Chief Constable Tim Hollis said: "The new police and crime commissioner will have a key role to play in ensuring Humberside Police has an efficient estate that can serve the public in a cost-effective manner."