SENIOR councillors have agreed to bow to the inevitable and to accept the demise of Richmond's magistrates court - although they believe it is the wrong decision.
The North Yorkshire Mag-istrates Courts Committee first consulted the public on its proposals to streamline the local justice system in January 2002, when only the principle of closure was up for debate. North Yorkshire County Council decided to object, although its case was rejected by the Lord Chancellor's department in October last year.
The magistrates courts committee met last month, when it was asked to confirm the closure of the Richmond courthouse on March 31.
Because a date has now been confirmed, the county council has the right to submit a fresh appeal. However, the authority's executive has decided continued resistance would serve little purpose.
They have decided to send a strongly-worded letter to the Lord Chancellor's department expressing disappointment over the decision
Coun Carl Les said: "Closing the court represents an antithesis to the county's policies, which include trying to deliver local services locally."
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