B&NES Council has begun a consultation following Government proposals to close Bath Magistrates’ Court and North Avon Magistrates’ Court, which could see services moved to Bristol.

However, the capacity at Bristol Magistrates’ Court would only support the workload of one or the other courts at risk of closure and the responses to the consultation will inform the decision of their fate. Bath County Court and Family Court is based within the same building as Bath Magistrates’ Court at Bath Law Courts – one of four county courts in Somerset.

B&NES Council’s Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel for Communities, Transport and Environment have been nominated to hold a scrutiny inquiry day on 11th September, reporting back to the Ministry of Justice’s HM Courts and Tribunal Services.

The proposals are part of Government reforms for court and tribunal services in England and Wales and views can be shared until 8th October via: www.bathnes.gov.uk/consultations and typing ‘Bath Magistrates’ Court’ in the search bar.

Police stations within the area are also set to close – Radstock’s is due to be shut down in 2016/17, however, there has not yet been a new location announced. It is thought that local police will be relocated perhaps in the Hollies, with other services. Avon and Somerset Police have said that these measures will save it money on outdated and underused buildings and put policing at the heart of the local community.

There are offices at Keynsham’s new Town Hall for the police and Bath’s Manvers Street station is also expected to close in the near future.