Government admits overstating court's running costs (From Surrey Comet)

Government admits overstating Kingston court's running costs

7:50am Saturday 27th November 2010 in Save Kingston Magistrates By Martin George

The Government has admitted using outdated figures overstating Kingston Magistrates’ Court’s running costs, a Surrey Comet investigation can reveal.

Ministers announced in June that Kingston was one of 157 courts set to close as part of a £15m cost-cutting programme.

The Government declared the court’s operating costs to be £319,000 in 2009-10. But after a Freedom of Information investigation in August we revealed this figure was inflated, and included £21,000 from the previous year and £31,000 that was over budgeted for 2009-10.

The true running costs make Kingston the sixth cheapest of London’s 33 courts, and more than £200,000 a year cheaper than the three courts slated to take its workload.

David Mulholland, bench chairman of Kingston Magistrates’ Court, wrote to the minister about the mistake in October. In reply, court service official Sean Palmer wrote: “This figure was used so as not to overly complicate the answer with technical accounting explanations.”

He said an adjusted figure was being used as ministers came to a decision about the court’s future.

The Surrey Comet spearheaded the campaign to save the court, and more than 4,200 people signed our petition.

We also showed its closure would waste police time commuting to others courts, and increase costs for the poor.

Mr Mulholland said: “It’s an admission the original data was historical and not up to date, and they are now looking at current data.

“If they use the correct information then Kingston’s case has made itself as being a very cost-effective and efficient court, the buildings of which are provided at no cost to the court service by the community. I think the campaign has brought into the public domain the efficiency and effectiveness of Kingston as a court, and the contribution magistrates make to our community.

“With the community’s support we are confident any sensible person would see there should be a court in Kingston because the work is there and the community supports it.”

The Government is expected to reveal its decision on the court’s future next month.