The consultation process on plans to refurbish a police station and custody facility has been questioned by a community leader.

More than £7m is set to be invested in improvements to Longton Police Station and Staffordshire Police's northern area custody facility (NACF), in Etruria.

Staffordshire's Police Fire and Crime Commissioner Ben Adams has approved the awarding of the contract for the station refurbishment, as well as the business case for the NACF so it can proceed to a competitive tender stage. The decisions were presented to this month's Police, Fire and Crime Panel (June 24) for consideration.

The decision notices said: "The force has a requirement to comply with safe detention standards and maintenance of a facility is key to this. An independent survey was undertaken 21/22 and found the site wanting in a number of areas.

"The investment into site will not only address concerns but provide modern, fit for purpose facilities for the staff onsite. Custody struggles to attract and retain staff due to the lack of facilities for onsite staff.

Staffordshire Commissioner, Ben Adams, said Longton Police Station had been one of the least popular locations for officers (LDRS).

"The refurbished (Longton) facility will allow, in the medium term, for the closer integration of specialist team such as CID and Public Protection with local policing teams. It will also create the space to host the City Command Team within the city.

"The business case articulated the challenges of the current condition of the building, having seen minimal investment over the last 30 years. This has led to Longton being one of our least preferenced sites for officers to work from which the refurbishment will address.

But Councillor Dave Robertson said: "in the (NACF) estates decision, it states that consultation was undertaken with sergeants and CDOs (custody detention officers) but no mainscale officers. Are you entirely confident that conversation we've got is sufficient having come from those senior, less public-facing officers?

"Leading on from that is the refurbishment of Longton Police Station. The preamble in the decision notice talks about how Longton is one of the stations we struggle to get people to want to work in and we're suggesting this refurbishment will solve that.

"But none of the consultation in relation to that decision was undertaken with any officers as far as I can see. Do you think that is a potential weakness having not had that consultation from officers about that refurbishment?"

Longton Police Station will undergo a £3.5m refurbishment (Google).

Mr Adams responded: "It's not something I am concerned about, but perhaps the paper isn't comprehensively making the case about that wider engagement. As you say, everyone needs to be involved in designing their workspaces.

"I know the estates team spend a considerable amount of time talking to everybody involved and advising,understanding where they might like to be located and the type of building they may want to work in.

"I'm aware for some years there have been conversations about this with people using the facilities at Longton and there is a constant exchange of opinion with the custody officers as well. The custody environment in particular is really quite high-pressured and just understanding the working conditions of the staff is really key.

"In both cases there will be national demands, expectations and standards. I'm pleased with the investment in both – there is considerable amounts of money going into both.

"Longton is a piece of estate we see having a considerable future in the city – I think it's over £3m we're investing there. A lot of it is about a working environment that directly supports the efforts of the front line, whether they are offender management or neighbourhood policing, with air conditioning, heating, working facilities and better lighting all part of the package."

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