Cromer court looks doomed in review

Cromer court looks to be doomed in a review which aims to shut a third of the nation's courtrooms.

The North Norfolk magistrates courthouse on Holt Road is likely to shut, along with Swaffham and Ely, due to a combination of low workloads and poor facilities.

A review by Lord Chief Justice Goldring has raised no objections to the closures, which will see 103 of 300 magistrates courts across England and Wales axed in a programme in a bid to save �15m a year in running costs.

The news comes in a week when Norfolk County Council also said spending cuts were likely to see it shed 3,000 staff - a third of its work force - to bridge a �155m funding shortfall that will hit a range of services.

Cutback proposals affecting everyone from students to pensioners through pruning of school and college transport subsidies, meals on wheels services, youth services, bus networks and park and ride.

People are being asked for their views on the plans in a Norfolk Big Conversation document which can be seen and discussed at www.norfolk.gov.uk/bigconversation