Tories hit out at little-used police buildings and empty courts
One in six police buildings are not in daily use and court premises valued at more than #1 million are empty, data gathered by the Scottish Conservatives has revealed.
One in six police buildings are not in daily use and court premises valued at more than #1 million are empty, data gathered by the Scottish Conservatives has revealed.
Of 412 police properties across the country, 60 are not currently in day-to-day use''.
Meanwhile sheriff courts which have shut but not sold total an estimated value of around #1.13 million.
These include Cumbernauld, Arbroath, Cupar, Stonehaven and Duns.
Police Scotland began a programme of front counter closures in 2014, while a number of sheriff and justice of the peace courts have closed in the last few years.
Scottish Conservative MSP Margaret Mitchell, convener of Holyrood's Justice Committee, said: We were critical of SNP plans to close police stations and court buildings from the outset.
But what this shows is that those proposals went on regardless, without any thought as to what to do with the buildings.
It's yet another example of the SNP making sweeping decisions without even trying to think the whole process through.''
Police Scotland said a number of the buildings which are not in day-to-day use are still used occasionally, while others are subject to ongoing engagement with stakeholders regarding future use''.
Assistant Chief Constable Andrew Cowie said: Police Scotland needs buildings which are modern, flexible and fit for future policing across the wide range of communities we serve.
This is about enhancing the service we deliver - not doing less.
Having buildings across Scotland from which we can operate more effectively will ensure police officers are available in the right time and the right place whilst continuing to deliver a quality service to local communities.''
Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service chief executive Eric McQueen said annual recurring savings of #1 million and backlog maintenance savings of #2.8 million are already being achieved following court closures.
This allows us to target investment to improve access to justice through a modern court structure across Scotland, with digital innovation at its heart,'' he said.
He said the service has clear disposal plans'' for each of its surplus buildings.
In Stonehaven and Arbroath, we are working with local community groups to secure the transfer of the buildings, which is entirely consistent with the aims of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015.
By later summer we expect to have transferred ownership of the former Cupar court to Fife Council and we are considering a similar transfer at Cumbernauld.''