New bid to save county court from the axe

Barnsley is one of 54 civil courts nationwide, but the only one in South Yorkshire that the Government is planning to close to cut costs.

Her Majesty's Court Service (HMCS) has drawn up plans to move Barnsley County Court to Sheffield County Court, where there are currently unused rooms.

However, members of Barnsley's housing and community safety scrutiny commission have announced they are backing a move to Barnsley Magistrates' Court rather than to Sheffield.

Their views echo those of Lord Justice Goldring, the senior presiding judge for England and Wales, who has responded to the HMCS proposals and said that the county and magistrates courts in Barnsley should be combined and use the existing magistrates court, which now has space following the relocation of the probation service.

Lord Goldring, in his report, mentioned the "considerable" volume of work done at Barnsley County Court and the importance of the facility being in the town to provide a service to local people.

He also questioned if there was sufficient accommodation in Sheffield County Court to cope with the additional business.

Coun Karen Dyson, chairman of Barnsley's housing and community safety scrutiny commission, said: "It is clear that there is wide-ranging support locally for the retention of the county court function in Barnsley and it is very gratifying to hear that someone in an eminent position like Lord Justice Goldring agrees with this view.

"The council and partners hope that HMCS will take note of the strength of feeling around the borough on this issue."