Commissioner defends decision after Stone community groups displaced for police post

Staffordshire Commissioner Ben Adams has defended the controversial decision to repurpose Stone Fire Station’s community room into a police post, citing operational benefits. The move affects groups like the University of the Third Age (U3A), which has been using the facility for meetings since the station opened in 2015.

U3A, which has over 900 members in Stone, provides education and activities for pensioners. The change has sparked concerns from residents and local councillors about the loss of the space.

The Impact on Stone’s Community Groups

Since its opening in 2015, Stone Fire Station’s community room has served as a hub for local activities. Groups such as U3A relied on the space to host regular meetings, fostering education and social engagement among retirees.

However, the room is no longer available due to the creation of a shared police post within the fire station. Staffordshire Police and Fire Commissioner Ben Adams explained that community access to fire stations is only permitted when it does not impact operational delivery.

Commissioner Ben Adams’ Response

Mr. Adams addressed the decision during a Staffordshire police, fire, and crime panel meeting. He emphasized the operational advantages of the shared facility while expressing support for helping displaced groups find alternative venues.

“They’re a smashing organisation, and a lot of people are involved with them,” he said of U3A. “But I’m afraid for me, the stations are open to the community where possible, and when it doesn’t compromise operational delivery.

“The benefits of the shared police post at that particular fire station are going to be considerable for the local community. It’s a much better location for the police to respond to incidents from.”

Mr. Adams added that U3A had been informed of the plans 18 months ago and had been offered assistance in finding alternative locations. He referenced similar steps taken when Staffordshire Police moved into Hanley Fire Station in 2021, displacing other community groups.

“My ambition is that nobody is left with nowhere to go. It’s regrettable that it won’t necessarily be the place it was before. But I’m reasonably comfortable with that. I think if I went to the public and said is this a community facility, or a fire and police station, the majority are going to be with me and say there should be every opportunity for the community, but not at the expense of our community safety delivery.”

Calls for Support from Local Leaders

Councillor Bernard Peters, chair of the Staffordshire police, fire, and crime panel, urged the commissioner to prioritize helping affected groups.

“Anything you could do to accommodate the concerns that have been raised in Stone would be much appreciated,” he said.

Stone councillor Jill Hood also voiced concerns about the loss of the community room at a recent county council meeting. She highlighted the £45 million private finance initiative scheme that funded the fire station’s construction, noting that it originally required the inclusion of community facilities.