Goole MP Andrew Percy and East Riding Councillor, Caroline Fox, have launched a petition against the proposed closure of Goole Magistrates. The move comes following a high profile campaign by local MP Andrew Percy who won a parliamentary debate on the proposed closure in early July.
The petition comes in the same week that Andrew Percy won a promise from the Justice Minister for a face to face meeting to discuss the closure in more detail. It is hoped that the petition will be available to sign in local shops. The petition is also available on-line and all responses will be submitted as part of the consultation process.
In a further move, Andrew has also written to local Parish and Town Councils to ask them, if they have not already done so, to write to oppose the closure before the consultation ends in September.
Goole MP Andrew Percy explains, "The idea for a petition came from Councillor Fox who has already spoken out against the closure at the East Riding Council. It seemed to me to be a great idea and that is why Caroline and I have jointly launched the petition. Our hope is that local people will sign the petition in sufficient numbers to show HMCS (Her Majesty’s Court Services) that we value our court and we won’t let it close without a fight.
"I am also delighted that I have been able to secure a meeting with the Minister to discuss the closure in more detail. In particular, I want to get to the bottom of the running costs for Goole and how much it will cost to transfer cases to Beverley. The last Government cut funding for the Magistrates Courts Service to the tune of 7.5% for each of the last three years and the new Government has been left to clear up their mess.
However, that does not mean that we can’t save Goole and I feel we have some very strong arguments in favour of retaining Goole."
Councillor Caroline Fox adds, "I have already spoken out against this closure of Goole at East Riding Council and I am hoping that the Council will also oppose this closure. The idea for a petition comes from our desire to get as many local people involved in this issue as possible. If we can show HMCS that local people are concerned about this proposal then just possibly, people power may win the day."