Ref: PCC/D/2025/11
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
West Mercia Police are relocating staff occupying the former police houses at Broomfield Green to refurbished space within the main police station at Kidderminster.
The force has no operational requirement for the houses and have declared them surplus.
The site has been marketed, and several offers have been received on a conditional basis. It is proposed that the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) approve the sale of the site for the most commercially advantageous offer received, achieving best value for the public.
PROPOSAL
For the PCC to approve the sale of the former police houses and land at Broomfield Green, Kidderminster on a conditional basis, per the details set out in the part 2 report.
APPROVAL OF
West Mercia Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner
I hereby approve the above proposal.
PART 1 – NON-CONFIDENTIAL/EXEMPT FACTS AND FIGURES
SUPPORTING REPORT
West Mercia Police are relocating staff occupying the former police houses at Broomfield Green to refurbished space within the main police station at Kidderminster.
The force has no operational requirement for the houses and have declared them surplus.
The former police houses and land equate to circa 1.73 acres and have been openly marketed by the OPCC’s appointed agent.
Several offers have been received on both a conditional and unconditional basis. Following advice from the OPCC’s appointed agent regarding the level of offers and the conditionality a preferred party has been selected.
The preferred bidder’s offer is conditional upon receiving planning consent for an alternative use.
Due to commercial sensitivities, further details are set out in the part 2 report.
STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS
This decision supports the following element(s) of the West Mercia Safer Communities Plan:
☒ Cutting Crime ☒ Policing with the Community
☒ Supporting Victims & Survivors ☒ Maximising Resources & Value
The decision supports these objectives through the following:
- Continuing to provide a suitable premises for the force to deliver important policing services, therefore enabling required enforcement
- Addressing a key community concern
- Delivering a fit for purpose estate
- Achieving best value for a surplus asset
BENEFITS AND THEIR REALISATION
Benefits include:
- Ensuring the continued provision of an essential police service to the communities of West Mercia
- Supporting the delivery of the PCC’s Estates Strategy.
- Improving an operational site which fulfils the business’ requirements, thus, ensuring better resource management by maximising value, effectiveness and efficiency of services
- Mitigating risk and reducing financial liabilities
AUTHOR
Name Iain Dicken Date: 13 May 2025
FINANCIAL AND TREASURER COMMENTS
The site has been widely marketed and of the offers received, those that were conditional on planning consent for an alternative use were significantly higher than unconditional offers.
An assessment of offers has been made which looks to maximise the return for West Mercia PCC. It is recognised that there is an inherent risk with a conditional offer, but reassurance has been sought that the recommended offer is reasonable and is worth taking through the planning process.
There is expected to be minimal costs incurred in preparing the site for sale. Projections have been received for legal advice to complete the sale. An estimated £10,000-£15,000 (excl. VAT) has been provisioned against revenue budgets in 2025/26. If there is a revenue budget pressure these minimal costs can be written off against the sale proceeds.
Treasurer
Signature Date 17th June 2025
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS
By virtue of schedule 11, paragraph 14 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 the Police and Crime Commissioner may do anything which is calculated to facilitate, or is conducive or incidental to, the exercise of the functions of commissioner. That includes entering into contracts and other agreements (whether legally binding or not) and acquiring and disposing of property (including land).
PUBLIC ACCESS TO INFORMATION
Information in this form is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI Act) and other legislation. Part 1 of this form will be made available on the West Mercia Commissioner’s website. Any facts and advice that should not be made automatically available on request are not included in Part 1 but instead in a separate Part 2 report.
OFFICER APPROVAL
Chief Executive Officer
Date 17th June 2025