POLICE and the council could share a home in some parts of Neath Port Talbot under cost cutting moves proposed by the force.

The idea was mentioned by new chief constable of South Wales Police, Peter Vaughan, during a presentation to councillors.

He explained that the force is facing a £8.3 million budget shortfall for the coming year.

"The trick for us is about working smarter," he said.

Mr Vaughan said that, although a five per cent increase in the police precept had been approved last week, it would not close the funding gap in itself.

He told councillors he did not want to make staff cuts to save money and was instead looking at other options.

"We realise there are more efficiencies we can drive out," he said.

Mr Vaughan said that, as part of this drive, they would also be looking at the cost efficiency of certain police buildings, and he pointed out that in some areas there were expensive police buildings next to libraries, fire stations and ambulance stations.

"We have got so many buildings we cannot afford to maintain them," he told councillors.

As part of his response to councillor Linet Purcell, who said there had been fears over the future of Pontardawe station when the force reorganised, Mr Vaughan said they were committed to community policing rather than bricks and mortar.

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"If we pull out of a police station we will maintain a presence in the community," he said.

Mr Vaughan said this could include the possibility of police sharing a building with another organisation.

"There will be a blue light outside a building that we could occupy with the local authority," he said.

He said among the others plans to cut costs was an embargo on staff going outside police buildings for conferences or meeting.

And Mr Vaughan said he planned to maintain policing levels despite the financial difficulties the force faces.

emma.denholm@swwmedia.co.uk