11. Apr. 2010. – 12:03:37
Magistrates` Courts both
physically and conceptually have been and are struggling on limited budgets.
Apparently some courts have ceased the supply of biscuits for JPs causing
whispers of rebellion quickly dispersed by more cups of tea and coffee which
are still on offer from the public purse. When, however, ushers are unavailable
to function at trial proceedings owing to vacancies not being filled and court
officials including legal advisers and defence or prosecuting counsel, being
required to leave court to find witnesses it becomes a matter of great
concern.....it is similar to the difference between sensible dieting and anorexia.
So it was to my astonishment a
couple of weeks ago to see in the car park about six very thick rolls of carpet
lying in a skip along with hundreds of carpet tiles. Unofficial mutterings from
various sources seemed to agree that many areas in our very large building were
being re-furbished. It seems that budgets have to be "spent" by the
end of March or the following year`s funds would be reduced.
Now I haven`t tramped through
every office or corridor but in general there did not seem to my untrained eye
areas of threadbare floor covering or damp on the walls. The "estate"
budget would appear to be separated from the cash required to run the courts
system; hence not enough ushers amongst other human shortages. When politicians
shout louder and louder about efficiency savings every five years I begin to
wonder where they are going with that subject and indeed whether for their eyes
the trees are truly obscuring the wood.
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