The Scottish Court Service has all but admitted Cupar Sheriff Court faces certain closure.
During a public meeting in the town’s County Buildings, attended by court workers and concerned community representatives, the loss of the centuries-old court seemed inevitable, even if the Scottish Court Service (SCS) insisted no decision had yet been taken.
Interim SCS chief executive Eric McQueen said a consultation had been launched on the future of the court system because of the sweeping budget cuts faced by the public sector.
And he suggested moving Cupar court business to Dundee was a sensible option.
”To carry on as we are at the moment is not a sustainable position,” said Mr McQueen last night.
”Is it sensible to carry on running sheriff courts that run less than three days a week?
”Is it a good use of public money to have such buildings in use?
”It is a reasonable travelling distance to another court and the level of business can be contained within that court.”
While Mr McQueen gave repeated assurances the consultation was genuine, there were suggestions the move was a fait accompli.
Local solicitor Douglas Williams said: ”It is my view, irrespective of what the consultation achieves, that Mr McQueen’s preferred option at the end of the consultation process is that Cupar Sheriff Court will be closed.”
He said having the criminal justice and social work departments within the same building, and the police station about to relocate to the site, was beneficial.
”There are also social and economic benefits to our community for this court to remain here and if it goes it will be the final nail in the coffin for Cupar.”
The review of the court service follows the Scottish Government’s decision to cut the SCS budget by £52.3 million over four years.
Sheriff courts in Selkirk and Lanark initially faced the axe but are no longer under threat.
”You’ve lost Lanark and you’re going to have to spend on that, and you’ve lost Selkirk and you’re going to have to spend on that, so you’ve only got Haddington and Cupar left,” said Mr Williams.
Jack Lord from Kemback, Pitscottie and Blebo Community Council raised concerns about the impact of Leuchars losing its RAF base.
He said: ”In a couple of years that’s going to be replaced by 6,000 troops returning from Afghanistan and Iraq who are going to want to let their hair down.
”I perceive that court business is going to step up when we have 6,000 of these lads letting their hair down in this area.”
Bill Kinnear, service manager for Fife Council’s criminal justice service, outlined reasons for saving the court.
He said the local authority was preparing a response to the proposals and a report would be brought before the executive committee.
”It’s clear that there will be an increase in travel costs and inconvenience to victims and to witnesses, and to those accused,” said Mr Kinnear.
”We have staff and police officers who can be on standby for court appearances.
”Staff will have to go to Dundee and that will mean a lot of dead time for staff.”
He also said there were concerns about the impact on mental health patients who have to attend court.
David Lynn, who is overseeing the SCS consulation, said: ”The position is that public sector funding is not something that is likely to improve at all in the next five years, 10 years and beyond.
”I can well understand the level of exasperation and the level of disquiet that this represents but, at the end of the day, in terms of volumes we’re talking about a low level of cases.”