16 July 2015
Consultation on Estates consolidations - in the light of changing ways of working
This morning, our Courts Minister, Shailesh Vara announced that there will be a
consultation into the future of our courts estate. Managers across the courts and
tribunals service will be briefing staff face-to-face today, particularly in the buildings
affected, but I wanted to explain what's happening so you can all see the details,
wherever you work in the courts and tribunals service.
Today's announcement
As people who work in the courts and tribunals service, you all know better than
most that many of our buildings are underfunded and under used. We currently
operate from over 460 courts and tribunal hearing centres across England and
Wales and this costs us, as taxpayers, around half a billion pounds each year which is a massive one third of our entire budget Last year over one third of our
courts and tribunal hearing rooms were not used for more than half of the time, and
much of our estate is ageing and requires extensive maintenance to bring it up to an
acceptable level. The cost of keeping the buildings in a fit state is simply
unsustainable in the long term, and costing us far too much. We cannot continue in
this way.
Today’s consultation puts forward proposals to close those courts and tribunals
hearing centres that are unused or underused, or that are simply unsuitable for the
services we need to provide.
I know that this is likely to cause uncertainty and anxiety, particularly at the courts or
tribunal hearing centres that are part of the consultation. So, let me explain exactly
what is being announced today.
I want to be clear that this is not an announcement of a decision to close any
buildings. The purpose of the consultation process is to hear the views of our
staff, partner organisations, other stakeholders and the general public, in
order to make a decision with as much information as possible. We last did a
major consultation in 2010, and, after receiving feedback, removed around
10% of the proposed estate for closure from the list. So, if there is a good
argument for why we should not close a particular site, I can promise you that
we will consider it.
How did we reach these recommendations?
Over the past few months, working with the senior judges, and senior managers
we've worked closely through a range of options, using some key principles to guide
our recommendations. The first principle was around ensuring access to justice
including taking into account the needs of users and in particular, victims, witnesses
and those who are vulnerable. But the second was around delivering value for
money - reducing the current and future cost of running the estate so that we can
spend the money we've got more wisely. Finally, but equally importantly, looking at
efficiency in the longer term, including reducing the reliance on buildings with poor
facilities, facilitating the more efficient and flexible listing of court and tribunal
business, taking advantage of modernised communication methods ( Wi- Fi and
video links) and adopting business processes that increase efficiency and
effectiveness in our buildings
The recommendations themselves
For those of you who would like to know more about the consultation you can read
the full document here. This also contains seven regional annexes which provide a
summary of each venue proposed for closure or relocation.
The consultation proposes the closure of 91 courts and tribunals. It also announces
plans to integrate a further 31 courts and tribunals within the same town or city. This
may lead to a requirement to invest in some of the buildings which would be
receiving work. For example, creating space for the public, for our staff and for
additional hearings.
Our plan is to invest in those sites that will provide an ongoing service to the public,
by improving access for any users with a disability or by improving general upkeep
and addressing outstanding maintenance issues. While this investment is part of our
Reform plans, each case will need to be assessed to make sure it delivers value for
money.
Yours,
Natalie
Natalie Ceeney CBE
Chief Executive, HM Courts & Tribunals Service
Consultation to 8 October. Phone 0161 2495021 estatesconsultation@hmcts.gsi.gov.uk