"Coventry Police to move into Broadgate House"

[dutchman]

Police are moving into a landmark Coventry city centre council building – and more could follow in cost-cutting measures.



Officers could shift from Little Park Street to offices at Broadgate House – which is also home to the city’s famous Lady Godiva Clock.

West Midlands Police is currently exploring a number of options as bosses look to save cash in Coventry.

Police and crime commissioner Bob Jones previously told the Telegraph that the force will retain a presence in the city centre – but not necessarily the way it is currently set up.

That presence may be in Coventry City Council-owned Broadgate House - a listed building which is likely to be vacated by the authority in 2016.

Police chiefs have ruled out a move to the multi-million pound Friargate development.

Minutes from a recent Strategic Policing and Crime Board say: “The force had had a series of meetings with Coventry City Council and had a good understanding of their estates plans.

“The Friargate development in Coventry did not match any of the force’s estates requirements but the force would continue to work with the council.

“There might be opportunities, for example, to use Broadgate House.”

Any possible move away from the Little Park Street police station may pose problems – not least because a new police base would need ample parking for staff cars and police vehicles.

Broadgate House has no parking provision which would force Coventry Police to make alternative arrangements. Little Park Street is one of a number of police buildings in Coventry under threat as West Midlands Police looks to make huge budget savings.

Mr Jones previously said: “Some 85 per cent of our costs is police officers and staff. Estates makes up a big portion of the other 15 per cent.”

The Telegraph understands some police officers have already moved into the building.

[dutchman]

Police chiefs have ruled out a move to the multi-million pound Friargate development.

Because it's yet another city council sponsored white elephant!

[rebbonk]

It's so easy to spend (waste) other people's money.