Police and fire chief defend kicking Stone community groups out of city fire station

University of the Third Age (U3A) had held meetings on Stone fire stationat Fillybrooks, in Stone, which has housed a community space for such activities since it opened nine years ago.

But the space is no longer available to community groups due to the creation of a new police station at the fire station. Mr. Adams, the commissioner of police and fire brigade, was asked about the decision at a meeting of Staffordshire’s police, fire and crime panel.

He said space at fire stations can only be offered to organizations if it does not impact on services, adding that U3A is being offered support in finding alternative premises. U3A, with more than 900 members in Stone, offers education and activities to retirees.

Mr Adams said: “It’s a great organization and there are a lot of people involved. But I am concerned that the stations should be open to the community where possible and if this does not compromise operational delivery.

“The benefits of the shared police station at that particular fire station will be significant for the local community. It is a much better location for the police to respond to incidents.”

Mr Adams told the panel that U3A was informed of the plans for the Stone Fire Station 18 months ago and offered assistance in identifying alternative sites. He said the commissioner’s office had offered similar assistance to groups displaced from Hanley Fire Station when Staffordshire Police moved into the facility in 2021.

He added: “My ambition is that no one has anywhere to go. It’s a shame that it won’t necessarily be where it was before. But I’m quite comfortable with that. I think if I were to go to the public and say, is this a community facility, or a fire and police station, the majority will join me and say that there should be every opportunity for the community, but not at the expense of our community safety delivery.”

Panel chairman Bernard Peters asked Mr Adams to do everything he could to help the affected groups.

“Anything you could do to address the concerns raised in Stone would be greatly appreciated,” Councilor Peters said.

Stone councilor Jill Hood expressed concerns about the loss of the community space at the fire station at a recent county council meeting. She said the £45 million private funding initiative, which saw several fire stations built a decade ago, required the provision of community facilities.