Council concerned at possible closure of Law Courts

West Berkshire Council is dismayed to learn that the law courts in Newbury could be set to close.

It follows an announcement by the Ministry of Justice made earlier this week that the town’s Magistrates and County Courts would be the only ones in Berkshire included in a consultation on closure.

Graham Jones, Leader of West Berkshire Council said: “Any closure of the law courts in Newbury, especially the Magistrates Court, would seriously disadvantage witnesses and victims of crime. It is unacceptable to ask residents to travel further into unfamiliar surroundings to give evidence and to see justice being done. I will be submitting a motion at the next full council meeting and I am sure my colleagues will also be keen to show their support for what is an important local facility."  

The Ministry of Justice consultation on the closure of 103 magistrates and 54 county courts in England and Wales runs until 15 September 2010.

Gee, this will show the local underclass whose boss in town.

Quoted from Administrator

Graham Jones, Leader of West Berkshire Council said: “Any closure of the law courts in Newbury, especially the Magistrates Court, would seriously disadvantage witnesses and victims of crime. It is unacceptable to ask residents to travel further into unfamiliar surroundings to give evidence and to see justice being done. I will be submitting a motion at the next full council meeting and I am sure my colleagues will also be keen to show their support for what is an important local facility."  

Does this mean Mr Jones will be voting Labour at the next election?

Sloppy journalism on this story at the local paper:

Page 2 - Town courts faced with threat of closure

"Newbury's courthouse is one of 103 magistrates' courts in Newbury and Wales that are being considered for the axe."

Quoted from Archie

Sloppy journalism on this story at the local paper:

They can't be that bad they did spot that WBC had issued a press release on "rouge traders"

Quoted from BrianB

They can't be that bad they did spot that WBC had issued a press release on "rouge traders"

They must be red faced now!

Which part of 25% across the board (apart from foreign aid and health) expenditure cuts does Mr Jones not understand?  Courts, the police, road building, public transport, defence - there are going to be savage cuts in every other area of public expenditure. Given the freeze on council tax linked with inflation, the cuts will be even deeper than 25% locally.  Can't help feeling that cuts of this severity are much deeper than is warranted, but there we are: the Libdems and Tories are going with them.  

I realise Mr Jones runs a chemist's shop and not a bakers but that's no excuse for not understanding that you can't have your cake and eat it.

Can I mention the stupid amount that is being wasted on unnecessary military action without being censored again?

Quoted from MoonPhoenix

Can I mention the stupid amount that is being wasted on unnecessary military action without being censored again?

In 1939, if the UK had been populated by people like you, we would all be speaking German.

And celebrating getting through to the next round of the World Cup!  

I'm surrounded by people speaking German and celebrating a World Cup victory anyway  

Quoted from Archie

In 1939, if the UK had been populated by people like you, we would all be speaking German.

I hardly think you can compare the Taliban, essentially an overgrown street gang or Saddam Hussein a former ally of the USA and toothless dictator, to us standing virtually alone in the world against Nazi Germany. This is way off topic, so will be my only post on this subject.

Quoted from user23.3

I hardly think you can compare the Taliban, essentially an overgrown street gang or Saddam Hussein a former ally of the USA and toothless dictator, to us standing virtually alone in the world against Nazi Germany. This is way off topic, so will be my only post on this subject.

Don't mention the war User23 did once but I think he got away with it!  

Ironically, I understand the English language is a derivative of a Germanic one.

Quoted from Greenham Common

Ironically, I understand the English language is a derivative of a Germanic one.

I always thought that Latin was the basis for most of the European languages as used by the Romans.