entail feedback to all community members of the first analysis the Arlington Parish Plan Questionnaire through a festive early Christmas Celebration with some facts and figures first, followed by warming food and

November 2007

 

UPPER DICKER

POST OFFICE UNDER THREAT

 

OF CLOSURE

In May 2007, following a national public consultation, the Government proposed a range of measures to modernise and reshape the Post Office branches network (the Network) to provide a more sustainable future for remaining post offices and their customers.

Post Office Ltd has now put in place a Network Change Programme to implement the measures proposed by the Government.  The programme includes:

the Network Change   Programme.

• The introduction of about

The introduction of

500 new service points

known as Outreaches in

some areas to mitigate

the impact of the

proposed closures. For example, a mobile Post Office branch service.

Post Office Ltd is adopting an area-by-area approach to closures.  Each area plan will be subject to 6 weeks local public consultation.  The closures will take place up to the end of 2008.

The criteria used to determine the proposed post office closures are:

Nationally:

• 99% of the UK population to be within 3 miles and 90% of the population to be within 1 mile of their Post Office® outlet

   

• 99% of the total population in deprived urban areas across the UK to be within 1 mile of their nearest Post Office® outlet

   

• 95% of the total urban population across the UK to be within 1 mile of their nearest Post Office® outlet

   

• 95% of the total rural population across the UK to be within 3 miles of their nearest Post Office® outlet

   

In addition, for each individual postcode district:

• 95% of the population of the postcode district to be within 6 miles of their nearest Post Office® outlet

   

The Sussex Area Plan was published by Post Office Ltd on 13 November 2007.  This plan covers all of East Sussex and most of West Sussex.  The area plan sets out the proposed post office closures and gives details of 2 new outreach services.  The plan also lists the two alternative post office branches nearest to the post office branch proposed for closure for people to use. 

There will be a 6 week consultation finishing on 24 December 2007, during which time people can respond.

234 post offices will be retained, 2 new outreach services developed and 49 post offices will close.  The complete list of all the proposed Sussex post office closures can be found on www.postoffice.co.uk/networkchange

How can communities or individuals get involved and comment on Post Office Ltd’s proposals?

Please note that Post Office Ltd is not consulting on whether or not they should proceed with their closure programme.  The closure programme has already been approved by Government and Post Office Ltd will be closing 2,500 post offices UK wide by the end of 2008. 

Post Office Ltd’s current consultation process focuses on how their specific area-by-area proposals will affect people.

In responses to Post Office Ltd’s consultation, you will need to explain how you and/or your community may be adversely affected by the closure of your local post office.  Post Office Ltd has assessed all the post office branches proposed for closure, but they may not be aware of specific local issues or future plans for your area. 

Issues you may wish to consider are:

• How might it impact on the social fabric of your community?

   

• How might it affect the local economy?  Will local businesses, particularly small businesses, be adversely affected e.g. posting mail & packages?

   

• How might the overall viability of the community be impacted upon, especially if the post office is located within another outlet; will the loss of the post office deter people from using other shops/businesses?

   

• How might it affect older people, people with disabilities or young families?  Is your post office near to sheltered housing, a school or the Drs surgery?  Does your village have a high proportion of older people?

   

• How easy would it be to access the suggested alternative post offices – is there a frequent bus service; easy parking; access for people with disabilities, e.g. wide doors/pathways.  Are the suggested opening times/days convenient; can you safely walk or cycle there; what is the location like, e.g. is it very steep; has no street pavements or lighting?

   

• Geography - are there any physical barriers, e.g. roads, rivers, railway lines etc

   

• Can you still access the range of services you had at the post office proposed for closure from other outlets, e.g. access to cash-points?

   

• Can the suggested alternative post offices, cope with additional users?

   

• Future developments, e.g. new shops, schools, housing, better transport connections?

   

• Does the 6 week consultation period give you enough time to fully respond?

   

• Where is your nearest post box, is it a wide mouthed one for large envelopes?  Often when a post office closes the linked post box is also removed – you may not want this to happen.

   

Send your letters to:-
Gary Herbert

Post Office Ltd

Network Development Manager

C/0 National Consultation team

FREEPOST CONSULTATION TEAM

 

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