EXCLUSIVE: Thames Valley Police to pump millions into training base upgrade

A planning application has not yet been lodged, however the public are currently being consulted on the plans, which include conference rooms and accommodation for officers.
The force has set £5.27m aside to pay for the redevelopment and hopes the changes will save it around £100,000 per year, as the renting of meeting, training and conference centres across the south would no longer be required.
Upgrading the current grounds at Sulhamstead would make better use of office space, currently used for welfare and recreation within the White House in the grounds, according to TVP.
The head of learning and development at Thames Valley Police, David Backhouse, said: “Our plan is to make best use of the Sulhamstead estate and improve our training facilities. Unlike most forces we do not have dedicated facilities for officer training and physical assessment and this development would fill that gap.
“We also have a duty to provide our staff with a safe and appropriate working environment, including when they are being trained.
“We are liaising with local residents to get their views on the plans first and will see if any changes need to be made before we make a formal application. If we are successful we hope to have the scheme completed by October 2013.”
The force reported a projected underspend of £5.3m in January as a result of downsizing an operation sharing, which has seen roads policing and ICT shared with bordering forces.
It still has to find about £16m worth of savings in the next financial year as apart of a four-year plan to cut £50 million from its budget, which has already resulted in job losses.
A spokesman for TVP, Adam Fisher, said the underspend money had no correlation to the cash set aside for the new development, which would be paid for out of property funding.
The Sulhamstead base has been part of the force since 1952.