CRC Work : Post Offices Consultation http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/projects/postofficesconsultation/ en-us Copyright 2008 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:25:52 -0100 Latest items from Post Offices Consultation on http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/ Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:25:52 -0100 The Future of the Rural Post Office Network - Focus Groups report http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/items/1700 http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/items/1700 To help inform our response to the Government’s consultation on the future of the post office network, we organised a series of four focus groups in different parts of England earlier ithis year.

Read the Focus Group report

Participants included representatives of the local community plus a range of organisations including voluntary organisations, council members and officers, subpostmasters/mistresses, Post Office Limited and government departments.

The report highlights the importance of the post office in the local community and how it acts as a social hub.

Reactions to the Government’s proposals for restructuring the post office network are reported including the access criteria and possible outreach services.

]]> Tue, 03 Jul 2007 15:05:13 -0100 Rural communities must be properly consulted on the future of their post offices http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/items/1275 http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/items/1275 The Government must give people and local businesses in rural areas adequate time to respond to local proposals to restructure the post office network.

Launching our response to the DTI's post office network consultation, Stuart Burgess, our chair and Rural Advocate said:


“We accept the need for some post office restructuring. The present position is not sustainable in the long term.

But local communities have told us that the proposals for a six week local consultation around changes to the local network, which might include the closure of existing post offices and the introduction of more outreach access points, is too short.

People want a real and open consultation and to be involved in developing solutions that meet their needs."


Our response calls for any reorganisation and reduction in the number of post office outlets to have built in safeguards for the most vulnerable people and for rural businesses.

 

Alternative ways of providing post office services, such as, mobile provision, delivering postal services directly to people’s homes and hosting post offices in other businesses, such as pubs, community centres and village halls, need to be supported.


But whilst these solutions are developed, it is essential that the commitment to prevent avoidable closures continues until an agreed and workable local strategy is in place. 


Full press release
Our response to the consultation
How your views helped informed our response

 

]]> Tue, 13 Mar 2007 10:48:23 -0100 Post Office Services http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/items/1072 http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/items/1072 You can help inform our response to the DTI's consultation paper on Post Office Services.

We're pleased the Government has recognised the important social and economic role of post offices. We also welcome the commitment to continue with a new Post Office Card Account after 2010, that it will be available nationally, and that customers will be eligible for the account on the same basis as they are now.

Our response will cover our concerns about:
  • recognition of the needs of vulnerable groups and small businesses in rural areas
  • continuing the avoidable closures policy until  an agreed and workable strategy is in place
  • access criteria
  • how local/area consultation is carried out and the suggested timescale

 

Find out how you can have your say

 

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