§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the objectors who have appealed against the proposals of the Wiltshire Magistrates Court Committee to close courthouses in Devizes and Trowbridge and build a new courthouse in Salisbury. [45174]
45W
§ Mr. WillsI have received three representations against the proposals, including the Wiltshire county council's appeal. The two remaining representations are from the Wiltshire police authority and the Melksham without parish council. I understand from the Justices' Chief Executive for the Wiltshire Magistrates Courts Committee (MCC), that the MCC has received approximately 140 representations from local Members, authorities, justices of the peace and other interested parties, against the MCC's proposals to close courthouses in Devizes and Trowbridge and build a new courthouse in Salisbury. Although the majority of representations oppose the proposals, there are some letters of support.
Under section 56(3) of the Justices of the Peace Act 1997 only the paying authority (the local authority that contributes financially) that is aggrieved by the determination of a Magistrates Courts Committee to close a courthouse has the right to appeal to the Lord Chancellor, within one month of receipt of written notification of the determination. The Wiltshire county council has exercised its right in this case. Once an appeal has been filed, I carefully consider all representations received before making a decision.