LOCAL Labour MSP Cathy Jamieson has blasted the Tories and the SNP after the Scottish Parliament's Justice Committee voted to close two local courts, on the casting vote of the Tory committee convenor.
The Justice Committee had previously rejected the plans, yet Cumnock and Girvan courts are now set to close after Bill Aitken MSP, Tory convenor, voted with SNP members to accept the recommendation by the SNP Government to close the courts. During th
e meeting, Ms Jamieson had outlined the strong local support for the retention of the courts, highlighting evidence from both East Ayrshire Council and local Justices of the Peace.
"I am extremely disappointed at the decision to close these two local courts," Ms Jamieson said. "This decision takes no account of the needs and desires of the local community, and is another example of SNP cuts.
"People have every right to feel let down, both with the SNP Government, and with the Conservatives, who scuppered the chance to save the courts, and joined with the SNP to push through their agenda of cuts and centralisation.
"Both East Ayrshire Council and local JPs presented a strong case for the retention of these courts at a practical level, and there remains several questions over the suitability of Ayr Court to cope with the additional demands that will now be placed upon it. I will continue to press this matter in the Scottish Parliament."
But, Ms Jamieson said, the issue should not be "simply about buildings, or the location of court premises."
"It is about access to justice and ensuring local communities see justice being done — that they can see the operation of their own courts, and are able to go to court to see what happens," she said.
"The SNP seems to have turned their back on the concept of community justice, and I believe that Scotland will be the poorer for it."
However, SNP MSP Adam Ingram countered the claims made by Ms Jamieson, as the Scottish Parliament's Justice Committee issued its report on the proposed closure of district courts.
Mr Ingram said: "There has been considerable sound and fury emanating from Labour politicians on the implications of the proposed closure of Cumnock and Girvan district courts — political energy that might well be better spent elsewhere.
"While I sympathise with those who are concerned about potential changes and access to local justice, we must consider how many people are likely to be inconvenienced by moving business to Ayr. And also, who might benefit?
"Figures show that relatively few witnesses are being summoned to Cumnock and Girvan, that many of the witnesses cited to attend the court were police officers, and that Ayr would in fact have been a more convenient location for those travelling from, for instance, Maybole.
"All communities in the area will benefit from the increased police presence that the new court structure will bring. Moving courts to a more suitable location will free up officers from serving courts dealing with low levels of business.
"There is also the question of value for money.
"The court unification has been criticised by some politicians as a 'cost-cutting' exercise.
"Of course cost should not be the overriding factor when considering access to justice for local communities, but we should not be so disingenuous as to suggest that value for money, especially in this economic climate, is not a desirable end.
"So, yes, account is taken of cost, and account has to be taken of the relative efficiency of operating a building that sits two to three days a month."
