Tag: Royal Mail

Postcomm publishes decision document on its interim review of 2006-10 Price Control (UK)

Posted by | Jan 10, 2008 | |

Postcomm has published a decision document confirming its proposals made in August 2007 that Royal Mail should be given extra flexibility to increase some retail prices and that access margins should be left unchanged.

These decisions are in response to the requests by Royal Mail, TNT Post and UK Mail for a review of some aspects of the 2006-10 Price Control.

As set out in Postcomm’s proposals document published in August, this decision would allow Royal Mail to raise the price of a second class stamp to 29p by 2010, subject to inflation (the original price cap was 26p). The price cap on a first class stamp will not be affected by this decision2.

In addition, Postcomm has decided to reject the requests from Royal Mail, TNT Post and UK Mail to change the margin between Royal Mail’s prices for bulk mail products and the amount Royal Mail charges other mail operators for access to its network and delivery of bulk mail over the ‘final mile’. Royal Mail had wanted to reduce the margin and the two Access operators argued that it should be increased.

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Royal Mail Group renews occupational health services contract with Atos Healthcare (UK)

Posted by | Jan 9, 2008 | |

The contract is initially extended for three years with the option to extend by a further two years.

Atos Healthcare has been delivering occupational health services to the Group since 2002, where it has helped to successfully reduce absenteeism in the Royal Mail letters business, The new contract incorporates a risk reward model, with Atos Healthcare being incentivised to help Royal Mailfurther reduce absenteeism.

This helps us deliver excellent service to our customers, while also playing a key role in making the company a great place in which to work.“ said Dr. Steve Boorman Director of Corporate and Social Responsibility at Royal Mail Group

Atos Healthcare will deliver the full range of occupational health services including a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme that provides timely and professional resources to help employees manage issues linked to stress, for example the death of a close relative.

It will also provide sickness absence management, pre-employment screening, driver medicals, health screening, vaccinations service and progammes to educate and inform staff about health related issues, including a mobile facility that continually tours Royal Mail Group office locations.

“Innovative Occupational Health services are essential if businesses are to improve the health and well-being of their employees,” said Mark Bounds, senior vice president at Atos Healthcare.

“We will continue to work with Royal Mail Group to deliver a proactive programme that benefits all employees, while helping Royal Mail Group to increase productivity and gain competitive advantage.”

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Decisions on Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Post Office Branches Announced

Posted by | Jan 9, 2008 | |

Post Office Ltd today announced decisions on the future of Post Office® branches across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight following a six week public consultation ending on 26 November. Post Office® services will be provided through a network of 300 branches, which supports the national accessibility criteria introduced by the Government and ensures that 99.5 pct of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight’s population will either see no change to their existing branch or will remain within one mile (by road distance) of an alternative branch.

The plan confirmed today means that 61 branches will close in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight with the first closures scheduled to take place in February 2008. These branches were detailed in the Area Plan proposal published on 16 October 2007.

The replacement of eight branches by outreach solutions was also confirmed in principle today subject to final agreement with Postwatch. However for six of the branches, where Post Office Ltd is still to finalise detailed proposals a further consultation process will be held. Information on these proposals will be published shortly.

Following a review of issues raised during consultation Goodworth Clatford Post Office branch, originally proposed for closure will now remain open. Feedback showed concerns about a range of issues and that a disproportionate number of closures were proposed on the southern side of Andover, with the nearest branches to Goodworth Clatford – Anna Valley to the north and Leckford to the south – both being proposed for closure.

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Decision Announcement on Glasgow, Central Scotland and Argyll and Bute Area Plan

Posted by | Jan 9, 2008 | |

Post Office Ltd today (January 9 2008) announced decisions on the future of Post Office® branches across Greater Glasgow, Central Scotland and Argyll & Bute, following a six week public consultation ending on 3 December 2007.

Post Office® services will continue to be provided through a network of 264 branches, which supports the national accessibility criteria introduced by the UK Government and ensures that 99.9 pct of the area’s population will either see no change to their existing branch or will remain within one mile (by road distance) of an alternative branch.

The plan confirmed today also means that 40 branches will close within this area plan, with the first closures scheduled to take place in February. These branches were detailed in the Area Plan proposal published on 23 October 2007.

During this first six-week local public consultation, Post Office Ltd received around 5,665 responses and attended 35 meetings with customers and their representatives to understand customers’ concerns. This also helped to ensure that all information provided by customers formed part of the final decision regarding each affected branch in the area plan.

Four branches originally proposed for closure – Cultenhove in Stirling, Auchenback in Barrhead, Kelvindale and Hyndland in Glasgow – will now remain open following a review of the issues raised during consultation. These issues related to the factors of geography, the availability of local transport and access to alternative branches, local demographics and the impact on local economics.

During consultation, feedback relating to Kelvindale Post Office highlighted the lack of transport to one of the alternative branches at Hillhead. We also noted the regeneration plans by Tesco Plc to redevelop its store at Maryhill, which also hosts a Post Office branch.

Post Office Ltd has also removed Hyndland Post Office branch from the plan following further consideration into the proximity and impact on alternative branches and bus routes in the area.

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Rural post offices to be closed in Scotland

Posted by | Jan 8, 2008 | |

Proposals for the Highlands would see 18 branches closed and 11 replaced by reduced services.

The Post office said most residents in the area would see no change to their current service, or would be within a mile from an alternative branch.

The public has been asked for their views on the plans, which would see 180 Highland branches remain open.

Highland MSPs offered their support to communities which want to fight the proposals.

Proposals to axe 44 post offices in Glasgow, Argyll and Central Scotland have already been unveiled.

Plans for other parts of Scotland will be announced later in 2008.

Under the Highland plans, 11 outlets would be replaced by “outreach” operations which would see them become a mobile post office, or based in a shop, cafe or other business.

Another option would see a telephone service provide facilities such as parcel collection.

Labour Highlands and Islands MSP Peter Peacock said he was disappointed at the closure plans.

Sally Buchanan, the Post Office’s network development manager for Scotland, said: “Taking the decision to close any post office branch is always very difficult and we know will cause concern to many of our customers.

“We want to ensure that everyone who uses, relies on or has any concern with post office services is both fully aware of the changes we are proposing to meet UK Government requirements, and able to give views on how accessible services will be in the future.”

Up to 2,500 post offices will be axed across the UK, to put the network on a more viable footing.

The Highland proposals are open for consultation until 18 February.

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