Council approves Post Office recommendations

4:03pm Friday 4th April 2008

Recommendations condemning the closure of the Post Offices in Barnet were approved by the council on Thursday.

The list of seven points was drawn up by the cleaner, greener, transport and development overview and scrutiny committee on Monday.

They were agreed on by the Cabinet, who have been against the closure of eight post office branches in the borough since the government proposed to shut a total of 2,500 across the country.

The council will now approach Post Office Ltd to advise them on the committee's comments which are below: (1) That this committee has concerns that the consultation period is only six weeks, as oppose to the three months recommended by the Cabinet Office guidelines, and therefore recommends that all closures are suspended and the consultation period extended.

(2) That the committee condemns the May 2007 business plan which proposed the closures of 2,500 branches. It holds that the criteria laid down for the closures did not take into account local geographical factors and public networks.

(3) That the committee recommends that Post Office Ltd should move with the times in their approach to supporting Post Offices and re-evaluate the sub Post Office contracts when granting licences to ensure that the financial incentives comply with the needs of the community. The contacts should be re-written to allow each sub Post Office the opportunity to expand their service depending on the needs of their area to challenge the financial case for each sub Post Office.

(4) The committee has concerns regarding the role played by Postwatch, which as an independent organisation was there to protect the interests of the service users.

(5) The committee calls upon Post Office Ltd to respond to Barnet's request of the March 27, 2008 for more information on the Post Office schedule for closures, as stated in the letter from the Leader of the Council to Ms Turner, Network Development Manager, PO Ltd.

(6) The Committee urges that the Post Office works closely with the London Borough of Barnet's Planning Service, Transport for London and any other relevant services/organisations to ensure that no community is disadvantaged by any of the proposed closures.

(7) That the Democratic Services Manager be instructed to advise the Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Community Engagement and the Executive of the Committee's recommendations.

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