People across Bath and North East Somerset are to be given their say on proposals to close Bath Magistrates’ County Court and Family Court.
The Ministry of Justice has drawn up proposals to transfer the workload of the courts to Bristol.
It’s also considering closing North Avon (Yate) Magistrates Court.
However, Bristol Magistrates Court will not have the capacity to support the workload from both Bath and Yate.
Therefore, the response from the consultation process will help to inform the decision on whether either of the two proposals are implemented.
To ensure local people’s view are heard, Bath & North East Somerset Council will be co-ordinating a public meeting on the plans at 11am on Friday 11th September in the Banqueting room in the Guildhall.
Representatives from the Ministry of Justice will talk about the consultation process and Bath Magistrates Court, to provide an understanding of how the court is used.
There will be an opportunity to discuss the potential impact of the proposal and to help formulate Bath & North East Somerset Council’s response with relevant experts and key stakeholders.
Cllr John Bull, Chairman of the Community Transport and Environment Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel, said: “This is an important opportunity for people to make their views known on an issue that could have an impact on the effectiveness of our local court and the ease with which Bath & North East Somerset residents can access it.”
Members of the public are invited to express their comments on the consultation to the Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel in writing or during one of the time-limited slots at the meeting.
Written representations should be titled “Bath Magistrates Court consultation”, and sent to: Michaela Gay, Democratic Services, 2nd Floor, Guildhall, Bath, BA1 5AW, by fax to 01225 477314, or by email to Michaela_Gay@bathnes.gov.uk.
To respond to this consultation online, email: [email protected]
Alternatively fill in the online pro-forma: http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-proposals-close-bath-magistrates-court-and-family-court.
All representations should be received by 3rd September 2015.
No final decision on the proposals will be made until Bath & North East Somerset Council’ collective response has been reported back to the Ministry of Justice.
The deadline date for the consultation is 8th October 2015.
