South West Wiltshire Liberal Democrats

Post Office closures: County wimps out / PO's justifications for ignoring consultation

Suggestions that the County Council could get involved in keeping local post offices open seem to have fallen on deaf ears, despite initially positive noises. Just after the closure programme was finalised in February 2008 I wrote to the leader of the council (below) encouraging her to take the option seriously.

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Dear Jane,

You'll be aware that the government has accepted the possibility that councils could take over the running of local post offices due to close under the restructuring programme.

Those of us who fought for particular post offices in the areas we represent are extremely grateful for your efforts to save them and for the strong campaign run by the County Council.

We now have an opportunity to put words into action, so I'm writing to ask if Wiltshire County Council will consider opening negotiations with the Post Office to see if some of Wiltshire's threatened post offices could be saved.

There might be opportunities for innovation and for combining post office facilities with other services provided by Wiltshire Council.

This opportunity does of course come at an interesting time for local government, and gives us all the chance to demonstrate that even in a time of transition the County Council can indeed act decisively in the interests of the people of Wiltshire.

Regards

Trevor Carbin

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Subsequently a special "task group" was set up by Wiltshire County Council to investigate what it can do to help maintain some Post Office services.

The task group is exploring which services could be delivered in other ways through other outlets. It is also looking at whether other funding would be available to support pilot schemes on this basis at minimum cost to the local tax payer. It will also look into ways of working with local communities and parish councils on the development of possible local solutions.

The county council has also looked at subsidising the Post Offices currently earmarked for closure. At present, the estimated cost of this is close to £350,000 per annum.

The council is also engaging with other authorities across the country in order to identify other solutions and to see if there is a common approach that could be taken by local government. The task group will explore all options in detail and report back to the council.

Jane Scott, leader of Wiltshire County Council, said: "We are endeavouring to do everything we can to minimise the impact of this bad decision for Wiltshire."

Comment - Setting up a task group, like instigating a review, can be a way of doing nothing whilst appearing to do something. At a time when decisive political leadership was needed, the County seems to have wimped out.

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The Post Office has published its conclusions on the post office closures in this part of the country. As expected, the 'consultation' has had minimal effect. Here's what they say on the West Wiltshire branches previously identified for the chop:

Broughton Gifford

"Respondents' main concerns were over the impact on the community, in particular the elderly, the distance to alternative branches and the perceived lack of public transport.

Post Office Ltd has considered all the responses and a review of the proposal has been conducted.

Customer numbers at this branch are relatively low and the limited retail on offer in the community indicates that people are already accessing services outside of the village for their shopping needs.

This is reflected by relatively high car ownership within this community. The nearest alternative branch at Holt has free parking facilities outside the branch with additional on road parking available as well as improved access and longer opening hours. There is also a direct bus service to this branch.

Taking these and all other relevant factors into account the decision is to proceed with the closure of Broughton Gifford branch."

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North Bradley

"The main concerns of respondents were the impact on the community and problems accessing alternative branches.

Post Office Ltd has considered all responses received and a review of this proposal has been undertaken. Customer numbers are relatively low at this branch. There are two alternative branches within approximately 2 miles and public transport is available to access the nearest alternative branch at College Road. Taking these and all other relevant factors into account the decision is to proceed with the closure of North Bradley branch."

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Seymour Road, Trowbridge

"Respondents' main concerns were over the impact on the local community and the availability of parking near to Trowbridge branch, which is the nearest alternative branch. Queuing at this branch was also raised as a concern. Respondents also advised of a new development of a Primary Care Centre near to the branch.

Post Office Ltd has considered all responses received and a review of this proposal has been undertaken. The nearest alternative branch is approximately 0.5 miles away and there is parking in the vicinity of the branch. Customer levels are relatively low and Post Office Ltd is satisfied that the alternative branches have the capacity to handle the projected increases in business. Taking these and all other relevant factors into account the decision is to proceed with the closure of Seymour Road branch."

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Heytesbury - outreach service confirmed:

Heytesbury 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 and disabled, the distance to alternate branches and the possible impact on the local community, including local businesses.

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 43.5 hours a week, offering extended opening hours as follows: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 08:00-13:00 and 14:00-17:30, Wednesday 08:00-13:00, Saturday 09:00-12:30.

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Longbridge Deverill branch

Respondents raised concerns relating to the distance and perceived risk involved in travelling to alternate branches, which would involve walking along a major trunk road and would be particularly difficult for elderly customers. Respondents also raised concerns relating to the possible effect on the local community and the long queues and parking restrictions at the alternate branch, Warminster branch, also known as Martins Post office.

Post Office Ltd outlined in the Area Plan Booklet that it was proposing to put in place a Partner Service operating from Purely Organic, Deverill Trout Farm, 110 yards from the existing location of the branch.

Respondents pointed out that this proposed site at Deverill Trout Farm was now no longer available.

Respondents suggested a Hosted Outreach Service with longer opening hours than proposed in the Area Plan Booklet.

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. Post Office Ltd has been exploring options for providing a Partner or Hosted Outreach service in the community and this remains the preferred Outreach solution. 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.

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The Obelisk branch, 35-37 Silver Street, Warminster, will be reviewed again by Postwatch. This should be seen as a temporary reprieve with no guarantee of it being kept open. Postwatch is described as the Post Office's 'independent' watchdog. It's worth remembering that a good watchdog will attack everyone except its owner.

It's also worth noting, as the Post Office itself says, that "There are no changes to the Area Plan Proposal for West Berkshire and Wiltshire as a result of local public consultation."