Court plans slammed by council

EARMARKED for closure . . . Oldham Magistrates’ Court

A CONSULTATION recommending the closure of Oldham’s magistrates and county courts has been slammed as an “attack on the fundamental rights of everyone in the borough” by the council

The proposed closure of 14 court buildings in the region - including Oldham’s magistrate and county courts - in a nationwide cost-cutting exercise, has angered the borough.

Closure would mean lower-court cases from Oldham moving to Tameside, while county court business from several boroughs, including Oldham, would transfer to Manchester’s Civil Justice Centre.

The news sparked fury at this month’s full council meeting, as Oldham councillors unanimously backed a motion to write to Justice Secretary Michael Gove, urging him to let the borough keep its courts.

The leaders of Oldham’s Labour, Liberal Democrat, Conservative and UKIP parties— have refused to support the proposals.

The council believes if the courts closed there would be a “profound effect” on the borough