June 10 2011
Plans to relocate a number of front-office police services in Eastbourne town centre to help improve performance have been backed by council leaders.
At a meeting of the council’s Cabinet on Wednesday (8), members voted in favour of co-locating with Sussex Police at the council’s newly refurbished offices at 1 Grove Road.
The move, which is still subject to approval from Sussex Police Authority, would allow Sussex Police to retain a front-office presence in the town centre while moving other services and non-public facing police staff to more a more suitable local base. The scheme would have no impact on 999 response times.
Under the plans, 1 Grove Road would also become a base for the Eastbourne Neighbourhood Policing Team.
The co-location would give the public walk-in access to police services just 300 metres from the current police station and would provide a shared public service contact centre, where customers can access multiple services from two key local service providers.
Cllr David Tutt, Leader of Eastbourne Borough Council, said: "It is important to stress that the co-location at 1 Grove Road would not in any way lead to a reduction in either the ability of the force to respond to 999 calls in Eastbourne or impact on the opportunity for local residents and visitors to access the police in the town centre.
“Like all publically funded bodies, Sussex Police must continue to deliver quality services while making significant cost savings and this proposal enables this without compromising on public safety.
"Eastbourne Borough Council is now looking forward to developing an even closer relationship with Sussex Police by working together at 1 Grove Road and through our Eastbourne Community Safety Partnership."
The council is working closely with Sussex Police to ensure its new state-of-the-art offices at 1 Grove Road can accommodate sufficient police staff and meet required opening times, building access and security.
East Sussex Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Robin Smith said: "We are delighted that Eastbourne Borough Council has agreed to share services with Sussex Police in the event that the relocation of Grove Road police station goes ahead.
“I believe this new arrangement, if agreed by Sussex Police Authority, would improve service provision to the people of Eastbourne. It will enable them to access both police and council services from the one location, whilst also providing an opportunity to develop our partnership working with council employees, including housing officers, environmental health officers, and the housing benefits team.
"We understand how important neighbourhood policing is to our local community and we have promised to protect this despite the need to make savings. This is not about taking away services or blind cuts, but finding alternative ways to deliver policing."
Key partners in the plans will now be consulted before a final proposal is drawn up.
