Motion to Council on Post Offices

Full Council on 17th April so councillors have been trying to agree a motion re post offices - unfortunately as the deadline is noon today it appears a couple of motions are going in that are very similar - emails and phone calls have been flying around - hopefully still a chance to sort, possibly into one motion or at least one statement...Tomorrow's Scrutiny will be discussing the issue and I can make part of that meeting - it might even get a mention on Thursday's scrutiny as well which I will also be at....we'll see...

Scary photo: putting up more of those posters

The motion below is a draft of John Marjoram's which I am signing along with other Greens and others who have already offered their support. Labour have put in another motion which I would also support - it is well put together but only focuses on the issue of getting Councils to support post offices like in Essex - to me the wider picture is v important....anyhow here is the draft...

Draft Post Office closure motion to the District Council

Recognising that this council is:
1, Committed to the sustainability and social cohesion of all the local communities within the District
2, Working to cut social deprivation of all people within the District
3, Committed through our Environmental strategy to cut C02 emmisions within the District

This Council will take the further action by:
1, Sending a letter or delegation to the Secretary of State condemning the Government in their action of directing Post Office Ltd to close 2500 within the country and with special reference to the Post Offices in the District, namely Ebley Stroud, Forest Green Nailsworth, Highfield Dursley, Horsley nr Nailsworth, Sharpness, South Wodchester,Uplands and Uplands Stroud and the effect it will have on current outreach services.
The rational for this representation is that it contravenes the stated objectives of our District, as above and the Government’s overall stated policy objectives
2, That we send a letter of congratulation to our MP, David Drew in voting against the closure of post offices in the debate in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 19th March.
3,That the Chief Executive makes contact with the other five District Councils in Gloucestershire stating our representation and encouraging them to take similar action
4, That this Council works with the County Council (who have already passed a resolution opposing closure of 39 Post Offices within Gloucestershire)
5, That a cross party Councillor’s working group with administrative support, be set up forthwith to investigate a support programme for Post offices under threat in this District and to open up discussions with Post Office Ltd to find options of retaining these current services.