Should District support local post offices?

The Government plans to close 2,500 post offices by 2009 - a fifth of those left in the UK - this means many post offices in Gloucestershire are under threat. One look at the Government's criteria for closure shows that according to them we have way too many post offices. It is certainly clear many post offices are in trouble:

Here's a quote from a Sub-postmaster to the District Council: "For every 200 pensioners we serve, we make only £15!!"

Last night at a Stroud District Council Policy panel in the Council Chamber at Ebley Mill (pictured above), a presentation of the current situation re post offices was made to councilors - sadly only only 5 0r 6 out of 51 councilors were there. I don't think that reflects the feelings about post offices but rather the frustration at having few powers to change the situation.

As regular readers of this blog will know post offices closures or threats to their closures have been an important local issue - locally Cashes Green Post Office and Whiteshill PO closed despite demonstrations and petitions while Paganhill remained open only due to massive community action and public funds - the other remaining post offices in Cainscross and Ebley have also been threatened with closure and some in the Parish fear they will not survive under this new review. Put 'post office' into search facility above to see previous entries or to see my submission to the Governments consultation click here.

The District Council has given small grants of £500 to village shops and post offices in the past however this scheme ended as £500 was really too little. The Council has also provided professional advice and support - even tried to help set up a forum for village shops and post offices - understandably if you are running one of those you are too tired to then attend an evening meeting - the forum closed but I do wonder if something online maybe possible instead?

Anyhow the Government is set to make an announcement in February and have another 6 week consultation - there is really little that can be done before then. I've written lots before on the flawed nature of the post office closures - the Government seems set on seeing them only as businesses - a complete failure to recognise the social importance they play - and indeed the importance of retaining local services in our challenge to reduce CO2 emissions.

So that leaves us locally with questions to ask - an interesting debate developed at last nights meeting around these issues. Wish I could summarise all but here is a taster...

Why do we want a Post Office? What should a PO provide? What should SDC's role be?

These are not such obvious questions? There is a romance attached to local post offices and retaining them however there is still no question in my mind about the important role they play - over 200 services including many types of banking. Yet local shops also play an important role in communities - too many communities no longer have access to fresh vegetables - or indeed any local food supplies.

Clearly there is a need for wider actions by Government to support local services but to what extent should SDC help local 'businesses'? I asked if there was a way of assessing 'social' or 'environmental' benefits and perhaps on those grounds looking at support - but the whole area is fraught with difficult issues, national policies and more. Certainly SDC should have a role in supporting post offices and village shops to diversify. I want to write lots more on this but have an appointment - will no doubt return in a future blog.