First Minister assures consultation on court

David O'Leary • Published 20 Jan 2012 09:30 1 Comment

FIRST Minister Alex Salmond has stated that that no decisions will be taken to close sheriff courts in Scotland without local consultation.

Fears have been expressed in recent weeks over the future of several Borders sheriff courts such as Peebles, Duns and Selkirk, leading local councillors and legal professionals to join forces to fight the plans.

The future of the Rosetta Road court is in doubt after it emerged the Scottish Courts Service (SCS) is facing a 20 per cent budget cut.

However, it has been claimed that the figures at Peebles just don't add up, as the court building is rented from Scottish Borders Council while the clerk, fiscal and sheriff are already based in Selkirk.

And this week First Minister Alex Salmond waded into the debate assuring local MSP Christine Grahame that no decision will be reached without first consultation and then parliamentary approval.

Ms Grahame, who also chairs the Scottish Parliament Justice Committee, asked Mr Salmond to confirm that the Lord President Lord Hamilton will consider the costs of travel and practicalities for witnesses, police and sheriffs of any redesign of access to justice, particularly in rural areas such as Peebles.

In reply, the First Minister told Ms Grahame that while he did not wish to be drawn on the Peebles point, he could well understand why she should represent her constituency interest.

Ms Grahame said: "I can fully appreciate the concerns of Peebles Community Council and others, and their desire to safeguard the future of the town's courthouse but there is a long way to go before decisions are made and there will be ample time for people to make their views known."

Peebles Community Council made their feelings known on the matter in a letter to Ms Grahame this week.

It reads: "The Community Council believes that removal of the Sheriff Court and relocation to Edinburgh will result in an increase in cost, delays in dealing with criminal cases and an increase in the workload of the staff involved with a parallel decrease in productivity. Travelling time, parking costs and witness reimbursements will also rise.

"Furthermore the Sheriff Court in Edinburgh is already busy and there does not appear to be any provision for investment in the service to accommodate the additional cases and workload.

"We should also not lose sight of the fact that seeing justice being carried out locally is an important factor, in terms of being reported locally and as a deterrent."

Local Councillor Willie Archibald echoed this and said: "This matter must be kept at the top of the agenda. I'm glad the First Minister has given assurances about a public consultation before any decision is made.

"Locally all six Tweeddale councillors are united in opposing the closure of Peebles Sheriff Court."

A motion calling on Scottish Borders Council to join in this opposition will also be tabled at next Thursday's council meeting at headquarters in Newtown St Boswells.

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This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 20 Jan 12

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• 

  peebleslad
  Unregistered User
  Jan 21, 11:53
  Report comment

  the picture shown is NOT peebles sheriff court its the council offices of which the sheriff court uses part once or twice a month
  
  Recommend?   Yes 12     No 0

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