Can Jim fix it for CAG?
The Counters Advisory Group, chaired by Postwatch, has today written to the Minister for Postal Services Jim Fitzpatrick outlining a number of shared concerns about the Government’s proposals for the post office network.
CAG includes stakeholders such as Age Concern, Help The Aged, Citizens Advice, the National Consumer Council and others.
The group’s concerns include:
Access criteria: The group believe that distance and topography are good starting points for access criteria, but other factors should be taken into account where individual changes to the network are proposed. For example: walking distance to alternative offices; public transport availability; access to basic services; and local socio-economic factors.
Urban deprived areas: Under the Urban Reinvention restructuring, other than in exceptional circumstances Post Office Ltd were unable to close post offices unless there was an alternative within 0.5 miles. The group feels the same protection should apply again.
Outreaches: The group has broad support for outreach services, but questions as to how and where outreaches will operate. The group also has concerns that there should be no interruption in service during the transition period from previous post office arrangements.
Implementing the programme: Members have concerns that the 18-month period proposed for the change programme is ambitious. CAG members stress the need for 12-week local consultations to ensure all stakeholders can participate. Members are concerned about Postwatch’s role given the merger of Postwatch with Energywatch and the NCC in 2008.
The full letter can be found here, and you can read the Group’s press release here.
CAG includes stakeholders such as Age Concern, Help The Aged, Citizens Advice, the National Consumer Council and others.
The group’s concerns include:
Access criteria: The group believe that distance and topography are good starting points for access criteria, but other factors should be taken into account where individual changes to the network are proposed. For example: walking distance to alternative offices; public transport availability; access to basic services; and local socio-economic factors.
Urban deprived areas: Under the Urban Reinvention restructuring, other than in exceptional circumstances Post Office Ltd were unable to close post offices unless there was an alternative within 0.5 miles. The group feels the same protection should apply again.
Outreaches: The group has broad support for outreach services, but questions as to how and where outreaches will operate. The group also has concerns that there should be no interruption in service during the transition period from previous post office arrangements.
Implementing the programme: Members have concerns that the 18-month period proposed for the change programme is ambitious. CAG members stress the need for 12-week local consultations to ensure all stakeholders can participate. Members are concerned about Postwatch’s role given the merger of Postwatch with Energywatch and the NCC in 2008.
The full letter can be found here, and you can read the Group’s press release here.
posted by Postwatch at 10:02 am
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