Westminster Council may take over PO Counters

[baldrick]

I'm not good at this IT stuff, and have been trying to work out how to post this (I believe it's called cut and paste?), but have been unable to, so I'll just post the links and hope they work:
http://www.westminster.gov.uk/councilgo ... pr2317.cfm
and
http://www.westminster.gov.uk/councilgo ... r-3837.cfm

[catch]

Westminster condemns new post office closure

The permanent closure of the Maida Vale Post Office has been condemned by Westminster Council. The consultation process prior to the decision to axe the branch has also been denounced as a sham.

Despite strong opposition from local residents and a campaign by the council to highlight deficiencies in the postal service across the borough, Post Office Ltd has confirmed the branch in Clifton Road, which has been temporarily closed since January, will not reopen.

When the branch closed, Councillor Melvyn Caplan, Ward Councillor for Little Venice, was inundated with requests from residents demanding to know why it had been closed. At the time The Post Office cited "operational reasons" as the main cause.

A three month consultation period which was due to end on the 1st September 2004 was extended following pressure from Postwatch, the consumer watchdog for the postal services. Despite much local opposition, the branch is to remain closed.

Cllr Alexander Nicoll, Chairman of the City Development Overview & Scrutiny Committee said:

"The whole consultation process is a sham. Every proposed Post Office closure has been made permanent, despite intense opposition.

"They have set financial targets for themselves and in meeting those are actually destroying the basic services offered to their core customers."

Cllr Melvyn Caplan said:

"This just fuels suspicions that the Post Office are conducting a stealth operation of closures, and no amount of consultation will make any difference."

Westminster Council's frustration was shared by Kay Dixon, Chairman of Postwatch Greater London who said:

"Not only do customers find it inconvenient to travel to alternative branches but they then find long queues when they get there. Postwatch will continue to conduct mystery shopping in the area in order to monitor the performance at these branches, and to campaign for improvements where necessary."

Westminster bids for Post Office partnership (23/07/2007)

Westminster City Council could be the first local authority in the capital to bring Post Office counters into its own buildings in a bid to stop the service from disappearing from its streets.

The council is holding talks with Post Office bosses about the feasibility of the scheme which comes as the service faces a public backlash over the closure of counters across the UK.

The bold move, if it's given the go-ahead, could revolutionise the service and help boost visitor numbers to council services such as libraries and 'one stop shops' if counters were based there. They would also provide a valuable source of income for the council while safeguarding the vital service for local residents.

The council is also considering transferring some of its own financial services to Post Offices. The move would help generate more income for Post Offices, thus making them more financially viable, as well as reducing council costs.

Cllr Tony Devenish, who chairs the Post Office Task Group which is looking into the initiative, said: "While we understand that Post Offices need to be able to sustain themselves financially, it would be a catastrophe for our most vulnerable residents if the vital service were to disappear from our local community altogether.

"We hope that by working with Crown Post Offices we will be able to ensure that people can access its services locally. If Post Office counters can be set up within branches of WHSmith, there's no reason why they couldn't do the same inside council-run facilities. This is an incredible opportunity which we would sorely regret if we did not at least explore how we can make it happen."

Westminster City Council has long been an advocate of saving post offices and is reflected in its planning policies which, are framed to help protect local shops. As high streets fight for their future due to increased competition and out of town developments, we see post offices as vital in attracting shoppers and providing a community service.

Cllr Danny Chalkley, Westminster City Council's Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Transport said: "At a time when there appears to be a consensus in encouraging small shops and local trade to benefit the environment and to help establish a sense of community, we are faced with the heart of many high streets being ripped out through the closure of post offices. I hope this pragmatic and innovative idea really takes off, it's a win-win situation for all concerned."

A six week consultation on the planned relocation of a Soho post office (Poland Street) to a WH Smith store in a shopping plaza in Oxford Street – one of 15 Crown Post Offices in London subject to a new franchise agreement with WH Smith - is currently taking place and will end this month.

However, at the opposite end of Westminster, Harrow Road, the proposed closure of the local post office has united the local community in opposition, with 4000 people signing a petition against it.

Julie Bundy from the Harrow Road Neighbourhood Partnership said: "The post office is the heart of our community and provides an irreplaceable service."

Harrow Road Councillor Guthrie McKie said: "I think it is imperative that we protect local services for local people and I will urge Westminster Council to protect the interests of our local community."

Westminster currently has 24 Post offices. Since 2003 six post offices have closed down.

There you go!

[baldrick]

Thanks Catch !

[TrueBlueTerrier]

That 2nd bit the idea about the council taking over some of the counters could be a runner. I hop it works out and then catches on.

[robmacca]

I think the consultation process has been a sham across the country - RM wait until initial reaction dies down and THEN has it's consultation period, hoping that people have already given up!

[baldrick]

They don't take any notice of the views expressed in the 'consultation' period anyway. I can't imagine thay anyone is going to say that the closure of their local PO is a good idea, except maybe the business/man who wants to take it over.

It might be a better option for Westminster Council to take them over, rather than let them close or fall into the hands of WH Smiths or the other vultures who are circling. The staff may even be better off if they get local authority wages and conditions, than under Post Office Counters, and certainly better than WH Smiths.

[rhino49]

A crown post office in every town hall - brilliant idea - tied in with another decent union - UNISON