This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Benefits of scale in area approach for Fiscal
02/12/2003
Following a short consultation period, during which the
views of partner agencies were sought, John Watt, Area
Procurator Fiscal for Grampian, today confirmed that
Stonehaven cases are to be managed from the Aberdeen
office.
Mr Watt commented:
"We will see immediate benefits of scale by managing
reports to the Fiscal in this way. Increased efficiency and
better use of resources benefits everyone - our staff, our
partner agencies, and, importantly, the communities we
serve. The people of Stonehaven can have confidence that
they will continue to receive the same level of service
from the Procurator Fiscal as they always have.
"This is part of our move to modernise the Procurator
Fiscal Service, and ensure we are making best use of human
and financial resources for the benefit of local
communities. In a situation where we have one small office,
with a steadily reducing workload, in close proximity to a
large office, with an increasing caseload, it makes good
sense to amalgamate in this way.
"By allowing the experienced and respected Fiscal from
the Stonehaven office to also work on Aberdeen cases, he
can share his experience with more junior members of staff
in that office, as well as benefiting from involvement in a
much wider range of cases than he would encounter in
Stonehaven."
The Stonehaven office remains open on court days when it
is used by both legal and administrative staff.
Local elected representatives, partner agencies
including Grampian Police and the Scottish Court Service,
and staff in the Fiscal offices have already been advised
of the changes and the benefits they bring for
Grampian.