Inquiry into post office closures
The House of Commons Business & Enterprise Select Committee has just announced a new inquiry into early experiences of the Post Office’s ‘Network Change Programme’ for restructuring the sub-post office network. It will also look at the implications of the changes to the Crown post office network and the transfer of many such offices to retail outlets, such as branches of WH Smith.
The Trade & Industry Committee (which this Committee recently replaced) examined the Government’s proposed framework for a new round of post office closures in two reports earlier this year. These reports persuaded the Government to refine the access criteria and their application. The Committee will now look at how the process is being carried out in practice.
The Committee intends to focus on:
experience of the local consultation process so far;
the extent to which final decisions have taken local views into account;
the nature of the proposed 500 ‘Outreach’ services and service quality;
the role of Postwatch in the current Programme and in the future;
how changes to the Crown post office network interact with sub-post office closures;
the future of both Crown and sub-post office networks.
Postwatch will submit evidence to this inquiry and appear before the Committee.
The Trade & Industry Committee (which this Committee recently replaced) examined the Government’s proposed framework for a new round of post office closures in two reports earlier this year. These reports persuaded the Government to refine the access criteria and their application. The Committee will now look at how the process is being carried out in practice.
The Committee intends to focus on:
experience of the local consultation process so far;
the extent to which final decisions have taken local views into account;
the nature of the proposed 500 ‘Outreach’ services and service quality;
the role of Postwatch in the current Programme and in the future;
how changes to the Crown post office network interact with sub-post office closures;
the future of both Crown and sub-post office networks.
Postwatch will submit evidence to this inquiry and appear before the Committee.
Labels: Post Office Network, Postwatch, WHSmith
posted by Postwatch at 10:21 pm
6 Comments:
Post Office customers have a right to feel short-changed by Postwatch.
All through the Post Office closure programme, Postwatch has accepted the passive role of simply checking the Post Office's proposed closure information to ensure it complies to the Government's criteria.
Why wasn't Postwatch the consumers' champion right from the outset of this flawed plan in 2006, and instigating a full debate on the development and evolution of the Post Office Network, and not agreeing to Beeching-style cuts?
If Government refuses to subsidise the Post Offices, then Postwatch should have led the debate into all the ways that the network would become self funding. Postwatch could have publicised the example of banks investigating setting up rural cooperative outlets where one counter offers basic services of all the High Street banks (Abbey has just announced it intends to open 300 new branches). With a few extra tweaks, Post Office already has this network and could be an equal partner with the banks.
Over 3 million people draw benefits from Post Offices. Many claimants in about 1000 rural areas will now find themselves disadvantaged when their local Post Offices close.
It now appears to be too late for the current network. Post Offices begin to close in January. But Postwatch could belatedly earn some respect if it grew a backbone and lobbied strongly among those many opinion leaders (and Post Office management) who see the need for combined Post Office and banking services for the wider community.
Postwatch accepts the need for managed change of the post office network- the alternative is further unplanned closures among 14,000 subpostoffices struggling to make a living.
We support the closure programme because it is a necessary step towards building a viable long-term network.
But it's unfair to say we've been inactive in influencing Post Office Ltd, Government and other stakeholders on the wider challenges faced in building a sustainable network. Through our stakeholder body, the Counters Advisory Group, we've been doing exactly that.
See our 'State of the Network' report for an example of the publications that have already been highly influential in building Government and Post Office Ltd policy.
And look for Postwatch to continue campaigning on issues including the Post Office Card Account; building a strong range of products and services; and on quality of service at post offices during 2008.
We will continue to champion accessible post office services for all.
Postwatch says: "We support the closure programme because it is a necessary step towards building a viable long-term network."
Many people will reply:"Rubbish!"
What other options were independantly looked at and evaluated? Postwatch took the easy road and decided to agree to be the Govt's poodle and check only that all the I's are dotted and the T's are crossed in the official plan before it is absorbed into another ineffective quango.
This is nothing short of a Treasury manoeuvre to help balance the books.
Shame on you Postwatch for being such a walkover.
Dear Patman Post
No one would deny the closure of 2,500 post offices is a difficult and painful step for the customers using these post offices.
But the fact of the matter is that Government has agreed to support the network to £150 million per year - and, like it or not, this means the network is not viable in its current size. Managed change in the only way forward to stop continuing unplanned closures.
Now that Government has taken this decision, Postwatch has a key role in ensuring customers' views are taken into account during the closure programme. It's vital we discharge this role effectively.
can someone explain the statement 99% of the population to be within a mile of nearest Post Office what does it actually mean because there are 2 communitues that will be almost 2 miles and both are deprived areas
Post offices are already closing "because it is a necessary step towards building a viable long-term network."
The trouble is, the remaining post offices often cannot support the extra custom.
Before he last round of closures, the public identified post offices that were already unfit for purpose. We were promised ugraded offices, fewer unstaffed counters, longer hours, etc, etc.
Did it happen? Did it heck!!! And did Postwatch check to see if it happened? Ditto!!!
At least do one last thing before you cease to be Postwatch - get Post Office to sign in blood that it will make good its broken promises and staff up and professionally manage the branches under most strain.
Post a Comment
<< Home