In the present financial difficulties ways and means must be found to keep essential local institutions functioning.   This will require innovation and creativity. I am giving below two examples from my neighbourhood in Somerset

Letter to the Somerset Standard :

With reference to the proposed closing of Frome Magistrates  Court , if this happens,  Mendip District, with its population of some 108,000 will be deprived of any court house.  This will affect the main towns of Frome, Glastonbury, Street, Wells, Bruton, Shepton Mallet as well as all the villages  Local justice will hardly exist if Yeovil is the only available court.

The impact will be greatest on court users who do not have cars.  People subject to other disadvantages will also suffer, particularly those charged with offences, and witnesses or victims.

The family courts surely deserve special consideration. The recruitment of new magistrates, representing a fair cross-section of the community, is likely to become more difficult.  Difficulties over attending early in the morning will mean more delayed hearings, and more arrests and remands in custody.

While there may be savings from not having a separate court house in Frome, there will be extra costs for police, prison service,  prosecution and defence, probation and prisoner escorts (the nearest local prison being in north Bristol).

I have seen the response by the South Somerset and Mendip bench to the Ministry of Justice’s consultation. I notice that 29 of the responding magistrates opposed the proposal to close Frome, while only two supported it.  I urge that full weight be given to this strong expression of opinion.

If, in spite of all the above, arguments, the closure proceeds, I must ask that the fullest thought be given to alternative methods for providing local justice.

Mendip district has many excellent town and village halls, not to mention schools with halls and auditoriums.  Most of these have been provided at public expense and one or two could be adapted for court purposes at comparatively low cost.

Letter to Chairman of the Council, Bath and North East Somerset:

Re: Youth Centres and Services: Radstock and Peasedown

I understand the need for budget savings in the present national situation of over-indebtedness.  I take the view, however, that Youth Centres are precious community assets, which should not just be closed.  Not only will they not be available for their intended purposes, but they will surely deteriorate while they remain closed.

I suggest the following way out of the dilemma.  BANES should agree with Radstock and Peasedown Parish Councils, or failing them, with established NGOs or Community Groups, to manage and maintain the premises of the Centres.  The NGO or Community Group should at the same time form committees of young people, to be responsible for the youth activities in each centre.

Such a method, would, I believe, bring out the best within present and potential users of the services.  Some safeguards might need to be build-in to the committees.  On the model of Student Societies at universities, they might each have a Senior Member to give guidance and accountability.  The experience of organizing their own activities could be very valuable for senor teenagers.  They would thus have a real stake in their own community and such service could be a helpful item on their CVs.  Two-tier responsibility for premises and activities within them may be the way forward.

I write as a neighbour to BANES and as an owner of some property within in it.