The Scottish Court Service has been blasted for a “smoke and mirrors” approach to its proposed acquisition of an Angus Council building.
The local authority’s corporate services committee will meet to discuss recommendations to sell Forfar Sheriff Court annexe to the Scottish Court Service (SCS) following a national shake-up of the courts system earlier this year.
The council and SCS have previously strongly denied that there were plans to sell the property or move staff when news of the courts reshuffle broke last year despite claims that a deal had already been struck.
North-east MSP Alex Johnstone criticised the background to the move, saying it was no surprise, and raised concerns over the financial impact on the court service and the council.
The SCS plans to turn the building into an additional court room and part of its new justice hub. The plans are recommended for approval in a report by communities director Alan McKeown.
Mr McKeown states: “The Scottish Court Service, who currently own Forfar Court, have approached Angus Council with a request to purchase the sheriff court annexe as part of their reorganisation of court provision within Angus.
“Angus Council’s agents, Messrs J&E Shepherd, were instructed to provide an open market valuation of the property, which has now been agreed by the Scottish Court Service.”