Selby police station to close as Mulligan confirms council move
Building share deal will save police £3.6M over 30 years but nixes hopes of a return of Selby's cells.
Politics & local government
Police in Selby are to move out of their Selby base as part of a cash-saving building share deal with Selby District Council.
The move was finally confirmed by Julia Mulligan, North Yorkshire's Police Commissioner, bringing to an end several months of speculation over the future of the force's Portholme Road station.
Selby-based officers will next year relocate to the Civic Centre site on Doncaster Road where they will share facilities with Selby District Council.
Some alterations will be required to enable the Civic Centre to host its new tenants, but once complete the Police will occupy around a tenth of the existing Civic Centre offices.
Dedicated police facilities will include office space, a briefing room, voluntary attendee room and temporary exhibits store. Extensions to the building and car park will also be constructed to house police locker facilities and the force's vehicles.
The two organisations will share reception, kitchen and meeting room facilities.
Mulligan expects the move to save an average of £120,000 per year over the course of the 30 year deal between the service and council bosses.
Eggborough and Sherburn Stations, which had been rumoured to be part of the relocation plan, will not be included in the move to the Civic Centre, and will continue in their current locations.
Confirming her force's relocation, Julia Mulligan said, “One question I get asked most often from members of the public is why different organisations can’t share facilities and save money.
“It is therefore very good news to be able to announce Selby police’s move to the district council building. This will save £120k per year and mean the police can work more closely with the council to keep people safe.
“Today’s announcement also quashes some rumours and confirms Eggborough and Sherburn stations are staying put.”
But, coming on the back of the closure of Selby's own Magistrates Court and custody cells, the move is likely to prove unpopular with many Selebians who have continued to voice concern over the town's declining capability to deal with crime and justice. The decision is especially significant as it effectively ends local hopes for a reversal of the closure of Selby's own cells.
♦ What do you think of today's announcement? Efficient use of public cash and facilities or another attack on Selby's public services... Scroll down and have your say...