TAUNTON Deane Borough Council’s HQ, The Deane House, is in line for a major refurbishment to create office space fit for the 21st Century.

The council has been considering the future of the building – now 30 years old – for the past couple of years.

But now, with police confirming they would like to move to the building as the current Taunton Police Station is due to close, councillors will be recommended to invest in modernising the building for their own staff, police – and potentially others.

The final decision on whether to agree to the proposal and commit funding to the project will lie with the full council at its February meeting.

A report due to be considered by elected members says a “fit for purpose, modern building” could be realised in the next 12 to 18 months.

Police would move into part of the building with council staff occupying less space than at present. There would still be room for other partners – in the public or private sector.

The total investment required would be £7.5 million, but some of the costs would be recouped by sharing with the police.

The costs could be further reduced if other organisations that have expressed an interest moved to The Deane House.

Council leader, Cllr John Williams, said the proposal would – if approved – bring certainty and make sure that Taunton retained its strong police presence.

“The Deane House needs a significant overhaul to make it fit for purpose," said Mr Williams.

"We did explore other options, including a possible move to County Hall in Taunton, but none of these provided the right solution.

“Retaining The Deane House is important – not just for the council but for the police and others who have expressed an interest in sharing the building.

"As a council we no longer need the space that we required 30 years ago. In fact we only require about one third of the space we did, so it is only right we seek other tenants to share the cost and so minimise cost for our community.

“Times have changed and we need to change, too. We are transforming ourselves to become a modern, streamlined council and the proposals for the Deane House would provide flexible workspace for our staff and elected members.”

Avon and Somerset Police confirmed The Deane House as its preferred option last month.

In 2014, the constabulary identified Taunton Police Station for closure as part of its estates strategy and it has been working on identifying and confirming an alternative location for Taunton’s local policing and response teams, as well as an enquiry office for the public to access police services.

Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens said: “At the end of last year, the constabulary and I announced plans to re-locate Taunton Police Station.

"Moving our enquiry office and local policing base into The Deane House is our preferred option.

“Operating out of one building not only helps us find savings to reinvest in local policing, but is also more convenient for our local communities.

"Local people tell me the importance of having their policing service within the heart of their community, and co-locating within the central location of The Deane House supports this.”

Other local authorities in Somerset have rationalised their office space and some are sharing accommodation with other organisations, including Taunton Deane Borough Council’s partner, West Somerset Council.

Mr Williams added: “While The Deane House project will be just a part of our transformation programme it will be really important as a very visible symbol to staff and others that the way we work will radically change, it will also be a very positive step to support our staff, members and customers with better quality and fit for purpose accommodation, which is long overdue."