COUNCIL bosses have sent a message to court chiefs: Talk to us. We can help you save money.

Rossendale councillors had hoped that the magistrates court would move with the town hall and police station into the newly-refurbished Ilex Mill.

But court executives are refusing to discuss its future in Rossendale.

And councillors feel that this casts doubt over whether the Valley will have a court of its own in years to come.

Coun Alan Fishwick, leader of Rossendale Council, said: "We have written to the justices chief executive of the Lancashire Magistrates' Courts' committee who said he feels it would be inappropriate for him to meet the council, and the chairman still hasn't met us either.

"They say there is no plan to close Rossendale Magistrates Court, but there is a long-term plan to reduce the number of courts in Lancashire to six and Rossendale doesn't feature in those six.

"When we decided to move to Ilex we hoped the courts would come too, but there is great reluctance on their part to talk and it is being done slowly and by stealth. I am a bit disgruntled that they won't talk to us. "The court closed in Clitheroe partly because it went like this and the courts were reluctant to meet and talk."

Rossendale councillors have suggested the courts share the newly-designed council chamber in Ilex Mill, which would be conveniently linked to the new police station.

Mr Fishwick said: "I understand that Lancashire Magistrates Courts have to save money, but we are suggesting that we share a purpose built facility. Although there would be some costs, I think we could have a court within the budget.

"It seems to me it is better to talk about this now so the court and council chamber can be designed together in the plans for the mill."

The council has the backing of both Rossendale's MPs Janet Anderson and Greg Pope in its bid to keep a court in the town.

Idris Moorby, justices chief executive to the Lancashire magistrates' courts' committee, refused to comment on the issue. John Robinson, chairman of the committee, is on holiday.

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