Tag: Postwatch

The influential Counters Advisory Group, chaired by Elizabeth Hodder of Postwatch, has today written to Postal Services Minister Jim Fitzpatrick setting out its concerns with the Government’s proposals for the closure of 2,500 post offices. The Minister attended the group’s meetings in December and January.
The group wants, among other things:
• All local factors which affect a community to be taken into account when deciding the future of individual post offices.
• The timetable for the restructuring programme to be flexible enough to secure the right outcome for customers.
• Local consultations to take place over 12 weeks and not 6 as wanted by the Government.
• Outreach solutions (like mobile post offices) to be in place before the post offices they replace close.

In support of these points, Elizabeth Hodder said:
“The Government’s proposals unnecessarily restrict the factors to be taken into account to distance and topography. The majority of the group want issues like the availability of public transport, walking distance to the nearest post office (not just as the crow flies measurements), the effect on the local economy and relevant socioeconomic factors such as age, health and deprivation to be assessed.

The closure of any post office is a loss to the customers and community involved. But Postwatch recognises that the current situation of increasing financial losses and fewer transactions cannot continue.

To let the current drip-drip of unplanned closures continue would be irresponsible and would undoubtedly lead to some areas losing access to post office services. The government’s consultation on future funding and structural arrangements for the post office network is the first step in putting in place a strategic plan.

For over a year, Postwatch has been urging the government to propose a sustainable way of meeting customers’ post office needs. In response to the consultation, Millie Banerjee, Chair of Postwatch, said: “Today’s announcement and consultation are the first steps in providing a clear view on how the post office network will look in the future. We have consistently urged the government to provide that clarity and are pleased we now at least have proposals to work on.

“This is not a simple numbers game of how many post office buildings are to close. The focus should be on ensuring customers have access to post office services. Solutions will vary from location to location. But, for example, if a number of expensive-to-run, seldom used post offices can be replaced with a cost-effective mobile service that meets communities’ needs – doesn’t that make sense?