Record of decision – Firearms Training Facility – Early Ecological Works

PCC/D/2025/10

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A full business case was completed in June 2022 to develop new firearms training facilities at Hindlip Park, proceed with appointments for specialist survey and design activities and apply for planning permission (aligned to end of RIBA Stage 3).

The recommended option was for a new build 8 lane traditional build range, with a new training school incorporating building search facilities delivered through the refurbishment of the existing firearms training school building.

A planning determination is currently anticipated on 23^rd May 2025.

An internal force review is currently taking place on the proposed Firearms Training Facility, which is due to conclude in June 2025.

Whilst the outcome of this review is awaited, approval is sought to instruct progression with early ecological related works to avoid significant programme delay and associated costs. This approach is intended to balance the need to progress and avoid inflation, with maintaining the Commissioner’s ability to review the scope, specification and cost of the overall project.

PROPOSAL

That the Police and Crime Commissioner approve progression of early ecological related works as part of the proposed firearms training unit project at Hindlip Park, at an estimated cost of £37,575.

This work would be funded from drawing down on the £1.49m which was allocated to the project to complete RIBA Stage 3 in July 2022 (Ref PCC/D/2022/23).

APPROVAL OF

West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner

I hereby approve the above proposal.

Signed  

PART 1 – NON-CONFIDENTIAL/EXEMPT FACTS AND FIGURES

SUPPORTING REPORT

The project is currently in a critical position in relation to the overall programme.

Planning approval is awaited, and is required by the 23^rd May 2025 to avoid a 30 week delay to the programme. This delay would be as a result of missed opportunities to complete the required ecological works that cannot commence until planning approval is obtained. This is detailed in a previous paper to Estates Governance Board in February 2024.

If this delay were to occur, it would result in approximately £321,945 additional inflation cost on the project due to ecological seasonal windows.

It is not only the time needed for the ecological works themselves, but the process and associated time needed applying for the relevant ecological licenses to undertake the work. A problem that is exacerbated because the licenses can only be applied for when planning permission has been granted.

The Office of the PCC has mitigated the delay resulting from the above by instructing the preparation of the licence applications prior to planning permission; with the intention of submitting them as soon as permission may be granted.

The critical ecological work will be the removal of the badger setts, as this can only be done once newts have been cleared. This is why it is shown late in the season albeit it remains time critical (as stated above).

The programme currently allows for the below early ecological works at a cost of £37,575:

A force review of the project is currently taking place. This is due to conclude in June 2025. Whilst the outcome of that review is not known, due to the project’s critical path, it is not recommended to delay the ecological works due to the potential costs this could add to the project. This approval enables the potential avoidance of significant additional cost, balanced against the Commissioner’s ability to further review the scope, specification and financial cost of the overall project.

It is proposed to continue to draw down on the £1.49m which was allocated to the project to complete RIBA Stage 3 in Decision Notice dated July 2022 (Ref PCC/D/2022/23).The current committed spend for the RIBA stage 3 design and planning process is circa £635,000.

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 this/ these objective(s) through the following:

• Ensures the police estate is ‘fit for purpose’ and enables police officers and staff to carry out their roles effectively.

• West Mercia manages its resources to maximise value, effectiveness, efficiency and meet demand.

• Demonstrates commitment from the PCC to achieve best use of public money and ensure the best return on that investment.

• Ensures decisions for investment are transparent, based on robust cases, clear evidence and need.
  

BENEFITS AND THEIR REALISATION

• Evidences delivery of the PCC’s West Mercia Safer Communities Plan,  thereby meeting community needs and police’s operational needs.

• Ensures West Mercia has the capability and resources to respond effectively to the most serious policing incidents which require highly trained firearms officers.

A police force which delivers efficient and effective services to the public.

AUTHOR

Name   Chris O’Hara                            Date  23/05/25

FINANCIAL AND TREASURER COMMENTS

Request for £37,575 of capital allocation to undertake ecological related works (with contingency to spend an additional 5% on top of this should flexibility be required).

The intention is to continue to draw down on the £1.49m which was allocated to the project to complete RIBA Stage 3 in Decision Notice dated July 2022 (Ref PCC/D/2022/23). To date there is expenditure of £0.587m, so proposed works are within allocation already agreed.

Any delay in the decision to proceed would result in £321,945 additional inflation cost due to ecological seasonal windows. This amount has not been provisioned and would adversely impact current in 2025/26 in year budget.

Treasurer

Signature                                                        Date 23/05/25

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

Signature                                       Date  23^rd May 2025