12 Point action plan on UK post office consultation

A 12 point action plan to improve the way post offices consult on proposed closures was announced today by Communications Minister Stephen Timms.

The improvements follow a review by Post Office Ltd and Postwatch in response to concerns among some local groups that the consultation process needed to be more open.

Among the improvements set out in a written statement to Parliament are moves to: – ensure members of Parliament and local authorities are notified as soon as possible of the remaining timetable for starting consultations in their area; – make sure MPs and members of the devolved administrations are advised of the proposals one week before they are put to public consultation; – invite local authorities to provide information on local issues and regeneration projects to help Post Office Ltd prepare future plans for the area.

– extend public consultations to take account of public holidays that occur during that period; and – ensure Post Office Ltd takes account of, and respond to, views expressed about the proposed service provision in their area when reaching final decisions on individual closures.

Communications Minister Stephen Timms said: “The Post Office has to adapt to changing customer demands and it is doing that under the Urban Reinvention Programme. If it does not adapt it will slip into terminal decline.

“A vital part of that programme is the consultation process involved for each proposed closure. It is vital that process is seen to be carried out in an open and fair manner.

“The majority of consultations are handled effectively, but it has been drawn to my attention by MPs and Postwatch that some aspects of that process have not been dealt with appropriately.

“In response to their concerns I asked Post Office Ltd and Postwatch to review current procedures and produce proposals for improvement.

“They have responded positively to that challenge.”