The Ministry of Justice’s proposals on the provisions of local courts and tribunals carries three core principles; access to justice, delivering value for money and providing efficiency in the long term.
I ask the question, how does removing two of only three Magistrates’ Courts in Suffolk and relocating these services to Ipswich, giving us local justice? In fact we would be the worst off county in England in terms of the number of courts to square mile ratio. Access to this service could be an hour’s transport or more and impossible for the poorest and most vulnerable of my constituents.
The government has argued to maintain local justice we use modern technology to deliver video conferencing and online submissions. I am not against new ways of working however, this makes no provision for the challenges of rural living. We are in danger of destroying what it means to have true local justice if we remove the Court facility, a right which arguably was founded in Bury St Edmunds in Magna Carta.
I agree, that the financial arguments for closing Bury St Edmunds Magistrates’ Court are compelling. The building is outdated and used sparingly at a rate of only 39%. Its running cost is over a quarter of a million pounds and closing it will save over £200,000 to the taxpayer.
However, value for money will not be delivered if we are forced to travel up to 45 miles along the A14. Legal professionals based in Bury have told me they will not be able to deliver a quality personal service, particularly to the vulnerable. Defendants and victims may have to share public transport to hearings. As a cornerstone of our democratic society, there is a cost to putting a price on local justice.
One idea is we consolidate the Court into our Public Service Village. This could provide improved accommodation to be shared with other services. It is anticipated the Public Service Village will also accommodate NHS and Social Services, efficiently delivering local justice and a ‘one stop shop’ for services. That is cost effective. That is local.
This would also be in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s ‘One Public Estate Program’ which works with local areas to deliver improved public services at a reduced cost, with a capital return.
Suffolk could lead the way in delivering a gold standard of keeping access to justice local, whilst achieving the necessary savings required and meeting Government plans join up local services. Why this didn’t occur to the Ministry of Justice, I don’t know. Is progressive, thoughtful joined up government too much to ask? The consultation closes on the 8th October 2015. Have your say.