The Department of Home Affairs has this week started work towards relocating its corporate headquarters.

A number of key services and employees are preparing to transfer to the former Water and Sewerage Authority building at Tromode. The phased move, which is scheduled to be completed by the end of July, will allow the Department’s current headquarters at Homefield on Woodbourne Road in Douglas to be offered for sale.

The rationalisation of its estate has already played a key role in helping Home Affairs to deliver cost savings of more than ?4 million over the past four years. Downsizing planned during 2015-16 will free up additional assets for redevelopment and contribute to the national priority of rebalancing public finances.

Vacating property, including leased office and storage facilities, is also supporting the Department’s efforts to protect frontline services while meeting its budget targets.

Minister Juan Watterson MHK said: ‘Many Home Affairs employees have moved into shared accommodation in recent years to release prime real estate or enable us to terminate contracts on rented premises. The move to Tromode will open up more possibilities for reorganising the way we work. Our focus is on protecting vulnerable people and these savings mean that Home Affairs continues to deliver a range of community-focused services for spending of less than ?1 a day per head of population. ’

Mark Kelly, the Department’s Chief Executive, added: ‘We will be sad to leave our iconic site at Homefield on Woodbourne Road, which has served as the Department’s headquarters for decades. However, we are aware of the budgetary realities facing the public service and are excited by the new opportunities presented by the relocation to Tromode.’

As well as providing the Department’s new corporate headquarters, the former Drill Hall in Tromode will accommodate senior management and support staff from the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service, and personnel from the Constabulary’s Organisational Development Unit and Police Registries.

Home Affairs is targeting further savings this year by moving out of Lord Street police station, freeing up the prominent site in lower Douglas for redevelopment. This has been made possible by capital investment in the new custody block at Police headquarters, which consolidates all Douglas detention facilities into one location.

Work is continuing on the proposed transfer of probation officers to Tromode House, a move that would release Prospect House in Douglas for commercial rent, generating an income of up to ?140,000 a year.

The Department - which has responsibility for the Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Service, Prison and Probation Service, Communications Division and Emergency Planning - is also working on the disposal of land and property valued at more than ?2 million.

The former Victoria Road prison site is being offered for redevelopment and progress has been achieved regarding the sale of Port St Mary police station and surplus land in Foxdale.

Maximising the use of the former Drill Hall will also enable the Department to vacate rented offices and storage space, producing additional savings of ?100,000 over the next three years.