RM taking action to improve local service in Sleaford

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Royal Mail say they are taking action to improve local service http://www.sleafordstandard.co.uk/news/ ... 6082043.jp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

OVER the past few months the Sleaford Standard has highlighted the problem of poor postal services in and around the Sleaford area, with a number of local people reporting they can go for days without receiving a delivery.
The issue was brought to the attention of Sleaford and North Hykeham MP Douglas Hogg and on Thursday last week Royal Mail held a meeting to discuss the issues with invited representatives and residents of the local communities most affected. The Standard was not invited to attend.

Among those representing Royal Mail at the meeting was Richard Hall, senior external relations manager (Central and West).

The meeting had come about as a result of correspondence sent to Douglas Hogg highlighting the poor level of service. He had contacted Royal Mail on behalf of his constituents.

Mr Hogg had been invited to attend but was unable to because of other commitments.

Virginia Kemmett, chairman of Great Hale Parish Council, was one of those invited to attend.

She said: "It was explained by Mr Hall that Royal Mail is going through a period of change. He said the market had been opened up to competition and there had been a decrease in the number of letters handled by Royal Mail, as well as a pension deficit to be resolved, among other things.

"He said that due to these challenges it was necessary for Royal Mail to transform the way it operated.

"The main issue for local people was the changes which took place that affected the level of service given in the Sleaford area. There were changes in working hours, resulting in an imbalance of workloads, there was a higher than normal level of absence due to illness and a number of vacancies which needed to be filled.

"Mr Hall said these all contributed to the poor level of service experienced by customers."

Mr Hall told the meeting that when Royal Mail realised the new working arrangements were not satisfactory steps were taken to address the situation.

Mrs Kemmett added: "It was the consensus of the meeting that the postal delivery service has now improved and customers are getting deliveries on a more regular basis. However, an issue raised by those present was the lack of honest and prompt communication.

"It was felt there had been very poor communication between customers and Royal Mail and a reluctance to admit there was a problem in the Sleaford area."