Final on Post Office Closures
Robert Key has condemned the Government for allowing damaging local Post Office closures and reductions in South Wiltshire.
Robert said, "Yet again, the Government has failed to understand the way most of us live our daily lives, with important facilities like our Post Offices holding together the social fabric of our communities.
"In Parliament there has been sustained argument and criticism from all sides, that both the Blair and the Brown Governments have held a pistol to the head of the Post Office. They were ordered to cut the subsidised network according to criteria that have produced arbitrary, illogical and irrational results. For example, Fovant and Dinton are two miles apart but each have a Post Office (thank goodness), whereas 40 square miles of the Chalke Valley will have none - unless the Broadchalke community successfully fights for its 'Outreach' service from Tisbury. Similarly, Laverstock PO will close even though hundreds of new houses are being built there.
"The Post Office 'consultation' was a sham. They refused to divulge facts and figures essential to any serious consideration of the merits of closure plans, then over-ruled the objections.
I know some communities are considering taking the Post Office to Judicial Review of these decisions. That would be very expensive but it illustrates the depth of local feeling.
"Local Postal staff, at our counters, in the sorting offices and on delivery, know how much we value them. They have been let down, too.
"In due course, this Government will be held to account. They will discover that we have long memories when we enter the Polling Station."
Post Office Ltd has decided to proceed with the closure of the following branches.
Post Office Bulford branch
A relatively small number of responses were received in relation to Post Office Ltd's proposals for this branch. Respondents' main concern was the effect on the local community. Post Office Ltd has considered all responses received and a review of this proposal has been undertaken.
Post Office Ltd considers residents have reasonable access to its products and services at the nearest branch at Bulford Barracks which is accessible via a ramp and has parking facilities nearby.
There is also a bus service to this branch and the next nearest alternative branch at Amesbury. Taking these and all other relevant factors into account the decision is to proceed with the closure of Post Office Bulford branch.
Post Office Laverstock branch
Respondents' main concern was the impact on the local community and, in particular, the elderly. The fact that there are senior, junior and infant schools in the area was also raised, along with the fact that the local school is likely to grow due to the regeneration in the area. Respondents highlighted that there have been several residential developments in recent years and that redevelopment of the area was still ongoing. Respondents also raised the point that the current facility is easy to access and has sufficient parking.
Post Office Ltd has considered all responses received and a review of this proposal has been undertaken. The review confirmed that there are four alternative branches within approximately two miles of Laverstock. Three of these are in the centre of Salisbury, including the branch in Waitrose, which offers longer opening hours. The review has also confirmed that there is a regular bus service from Laverstock to Salisbury town centre, and, for those who choose to drive, parking is available nearby, including designated disabled parking. The review recognised the new housing developments in the area and Post Office Ltd is satisfied that the surrounding branches have capacity to cope with additional customers. Taking these and all other relevant factors into account, the decision is to proceed with the closure of Post Office Laverstock branch.
Post Office Lover branch
A relatively small number of responses were received in relation to Post Office Ltd's proposals for this branch. The main concerns expressed were the impact on the community and the terrain to the alternative branches.
Post Office Ltd has considered all responses received and a review of this proposal has been undertaken. The review confirmed that customer numbers at this branch are relatively low and the very limited retail on offer in the community indicates that people are accessing services outside of the village. The review also indicated that car ownership in the area is generally high. There is parking outside the nearest branch in Woodfalls which is also accessible by public transport. Taking these and all other relevant factors into account, the decision is to proceed with the closure of Post Office Lover branch.
Post Office Victoria Park branch
The main concern expressed by respondents was the ability of people to access alternative branches.
The distances, terrain and lack of easy public transport were also raised, particularly in relation to elderly customers. It was pointed out that there is no direct bus service between Victoria Park and Post Office West End branch, as claimed in Post Office Ltd's information leaflets provided in the branch. It was also raised that the distance from the bus stop to the Churchill Way West branch in Waitrose is approximately 770 yards, which would make this untenable for some people to undertake. New developments were mentioned, specifically one that is underway in the Old Serum area to the north of Victoria Park.
Post Office Ltd has considered all responses received and a review of this proposal has been undertaken. There are a number of potential alternative branches for people to use, depending on people’s method of transport. For people using public transport, the two branches in Salisbury town centre may be most convenient. For car users, Post Office Bishopdown branch has parking and is approximately one mile away. It is not considered that the new development at Old Sarum will materially affect the Victoria Park branch. Taking these and all other relevant factors into account the decision is to proceed with the closure of Post Office Victoria Park branch.
Post Office Ltd has decided to proceed with the replacement of the following branches with an Outreach service:
Post Office Broad Chalke branch
Respondents raised a variety of issues during the local public consultation in relation to our proposals for this branch. Respondents raised concerns in relation to the possible impact of closure of this branch on vulnerable customer groups, in particular the elderly, since there is no direct bus service to alternative branches. The additional cost required to travel, the distance involved and risks associated with accessing alternative branches were also concerns raised by respondents. Respondents commented on the environmental impact of car journeys to alternative branches and a petition opposing the proposed closure was also submitted.
Having regard to all comments received during the local public consultation and all other relevant factors, Post Office Ltd has decided to proceed with the closure of this branch and to replace it with an Outreach Service. The proposed outreach service will be subject to a further 6 week period of local public consultation. Details of this consultation will be announced shortly.
Post Office Coombe Bissett branch
Respondents raised a variety of issues during the local public consultation in relation to our proposals for this branch, including concern for vulnerable customer groups, in particular the elderly, the lack of a direct bus service to alternative branches and the distance and risks thought to be associated with accessing alternative branches.
Post Office Ltd has explored various options in relation to the provision of an Outreach Service, and outlined in the Area Plan Booklet that it was proposing to put in place a Partner Service from the existing location.
Having regard to all comments received during the local public consultation and all other relevant factors, Post Office Ltd has decided to introduce a Partner service at the site of the current branch which would offer a range of the most commonly used Post Office products and services including collecting cash using our everyday banking services. This will operate for 41.5 hours a week. Opening hours will be the same as the existing service and are as follows: Monday-Friday 09:00-13:00 and 14:00-17:30, Saturday 09:00-13:00.
Post Office Newton Toney branch
Respondents raised concerns in relation to the impact of the closure of this branch on vulnerable customer groups. Respondents also raised concerns in relation to the perceived limited public transport available to alternate branches, limited parking available close by and the distance required to travel to those alternate branches. The possible impact on the community, including local businesses, was also raised as a concern by respondents.
Respondents suggested Hosted and Mobile Outreach Services with longer hours than suggested in the Area Plan Booklet. A petition opposing the proposed closure of the branch was also submitted.
Having regard to all comments received, the relatively small customer figures at Newton Toney and all other relevant factors, Post Office Ltd has decided to proceed with the closure of this branch and to replace it with an Outreach Service. This will be a Hosted Service which will provide the same wide range of services operating from the existing branch for 5 hours per week. Opening hours will be as follows: Monday and Thursday 09:30-12:00.
Post Office Tilshead branch
Respondents suggested locations for possible Outreach Services during the local public consultation, which included the Rose and Crown public house.
Having regard to all comments received and all other relevant factors, Post Office Ltd has explored various options in relation to the provision of an Outreach Service, and has decided to introduce a Partner service which would offer a range of the most commonly used Post Office products and services including collecting cash using our everyday banking services.
This will operate from the Rose and Crown public house and we are pleased to say that this service will be available 7 days a week, for a total of 76.5 hours, offering increased opening hours as follows: Monday-Saturday 12:00-23:00, Sunday 12:00-22:30.
Post Office Wylye branch
Respondents raised a variety of issues during the local public consultation in relation to our proposals for this branch, including concerns raised in relation to the impact of closure on vulnerable customer groups, in particular the elderly.
Respondents also raised concerns in relation to the distance and perceived risks associated with accessing the alternate branches, and the lack of a regular, direct bus service as there are two buses a week to Salisbury. Respondents also raised concerns on the impact of closure on the local community, including the attached shop which respondents stated serves thirty villages.
Respondents suggested a Hosted Outreach Service with longer opening hours than suggested in the Area Plan Booklet. Respondents also submitted a petition opposing the proposed closure.
Having regard to all comments received and all other relevant factors, Post Office Ltd has explored various options in relation to the provision of an Outreach Service, and has decided to introduce a Partner service which would offer a range of the most commonly used Post Office products and services including collecting cash using our everyday banking services at the site of the current branch. This will operate for 26 hours a week, the same hours as the current service. Opening hours will be as follows: Monday – Friday 09:00-13:30, Saturday 09:00-12:30.
Mr R Key MP
Constituency Office
12 Brown Street
SALISBURY
SP1 1HE
30 January 2008
Dear Mr Key
Thank you for copying Postwatch into your correspondence regarding the proposed closures in the Salisbury constituency. Your information and opinions have been passed on to the Postwatch team who are responsible for reviewing the proposed closures in your local area.
As the independent consumer watchdog, Postwatch is eager to understand customer concerns regarding the impact of the proposed closures or outreaches.
While Postwatch cannot prevent closures or the change to an outreach programme, our focus will be on whether Post Office Ltd's proposals meet the newly introduced minimum access criteria for post offices, which aim to ensure communities are within a reasonable distance from a post office. Postwatch will also check that local factors - such as public transport arrangements, pertinent topographical features, demogeaphics and the impact on the local economy - have been properly considered.
Postwatch has agreed a rigorous consultation process with Post Office Ltd and will work to ensure that Post Office Ltd considers and responds appropriately to the feedback it receives.
Postwatch will investigate every closure and outreach proposal and will challenge Post Office Ltd's proposals when we believe that this is necessary. However, I should make you aware that Postwatch do not have the power to overturn Post Office Ltd's final decision on any closure or outreach.
I would like to thank you for taking the time to raise your concerns with us. If you would like to discuss this, or we can be of any further assistance, please contact us again.
Yours sincerely,
James Telfer
Consumer Services Supervisor
25 January 2008
Allan Leighton
Chairman
Post Office Limited
80-86 Old Street
London EC1V 9NN
Dear Mr Leighton
Post Office closures and changes in South Wiltshire
I enclose a copy of a letter I have written on behalf of my constituents to the Minister for Postal Affairs. I also enclose representations from scores of my constituents and their representatives.
I will not repeat the case I have made to the Minister against your proposals. However, I wish to add my assessment of the consultation process itself.
I was very grateful to Post Office officials for coming to see me in The House in December, a few days before the announcement of your final proposals, to give me advance warning and explain the facts and criteria you had used in the decision on each and every Post Office.
Both I and my constituents were grateful, too, to your officials who attended several public meetings. However, it became apparent in exchanges that took place, that firm decisions had been made and were very unlikely to be changed. This was not a consultation in the normal sense of the word.
What astonished my constituents and me, was that when it came to outreach proposals for individual Post Offices, your staff were unable to say exactly what would happen and were unable to provide any details about the type and level of alternative services that were being proposed. Indeed, in personal discussions with some of the sub-postmasters concerned, there was little or no information available to them about what replacement services were on offer from the Post Office.
We all understand the need for prudence in the level of taxpayer subsidy to Post Offices. It is also prudent to expect that changes will enhance the sustainability of our rural communities, not hasten their demise, as I have explained in my letter to the Minister.
I urge you to reconsider each and every one of the nine proposals in my constituency.
I will copy this letter to the Chairman of Postwatch and the Chairman of Postwatch South and West.
Yours sincerely
25 January 2008
Pat McFadden MP
Minister of State (Employment Relations and Postal Affairs)
DBER
1 Victoria Street
SW1H 0ET
Dear Minister
Closure and changes to Post Offices in Salisbury Constituency
On 17th May 2007, the then Secretary of State, Alistair Darling, made a statement to The House about the Post Office Review.
The Post Office consultation on closures and changes to the Post Office network in my constituency is drawing to a close and I write to report the outcome, measured against the Secretary of State’s statement.
Having carefully considered the proposals for each of the four closures and five modifications to services, having listened to the evidence from scores of constituents and their representatives, having met Post Office officials and read the Post Office reports, I must register with you my objections to all of the proposals for my constituency and my support for the submissions attached.
The Secretary of State promised stronger protection for local communities especially in rural and remote areas. This has not happened.
He said the rules would require the Post Office to consider the availability of public transport and alternative access to key post office services. The rules should also take into account local demographics and the impact on local economies. Post Office Ltd would have to take account of local conditions such as rivers and valleys. They have failed on every count.
Alistair Darling said “piecemeal closures are no good for anyone and won’t put the network back on track”. The closures proposed for Salisbury constituency are not just piecemeal, they are irrational and arbitrary. All of this is catalogued by my constituents in the evidence attached.
In addition, I draw your attention to the fact that the closure and outreach proposals are contrary to all that we are trying to achieve in Wiltshire and throughout the South West Region in meeting the Government’s challenge to build sustainable communities. The Post Office proposals will reduce community and social facilities in this rural area and lower community cohesion at a time when we have been told to build many more houses to accommodate major population growth in our region. This also runs counter to government aspirations to reduce rural deprivation and inequality.
The Post Office proposals will increase private vehicle usage and carbon footprints. They conflict with local authority plans for a better alignment of homes, jobs and services.
I urge you to reject these proposals that will cause lasting and possibly terminal damage to many of the communities I represent.
I will copy this letter to the Chairman of Postwatch and the Chairman of The Post Office.
Yours sincerely
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