Council offers to hold court in its offices

A local authority has made a fresh bid to retain local justice by offering to hold magistrates' courts in its new offices.

Last month, the Government confirmed Coalville, Market Harborough and Melton magistrates would close as part of a cost cutting programme.

Now, Melton Borough Council has made a fresh offer to host courts in the chamber of its new offices being built in Burton Street, in the town. The council wants to avoid people involved in cases having to travel to Loughborough or Leicester. It made a similar offer before the courts closure was confirmed.

Coalville cases will go to Hinckley and Harborough cases to Leicester.

The council is writing to Nick Watson, clerk to the justices for Leicestershire's courts, asking for its offer to host a court in the new offices to be re-considered.

Council leader Malise Graham said: "We are asking them to please look again at using the council chamber, which could be adapted for use as courts.

"People want their justice delivered locally. It would be a tremendous inconvenience for anybody in the Vale to get to Loughborough or Leicester. It's the opportunity of a realistic low-cost alternative, with the court being hosted in the new Parkside Civic Suite."

Chairman of the Melton, Belvoir and Rutland Bench Maggie Wilson said: "One way of helping community justice would be to hold courts within the council's new building.

"We all feel it's important that Melton has a court."

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