Quote:
Originally Posted by g jones
Everyone has contributed to the closure of Post Offices. I don't particularly agree with childish politics in opposition, whether that be us or the Tories this time.
The Post Office franchise was eroded from the early 80's with Governments removing services and banks competing for business. Stamps sold at Petrol Stations and other outlets. Maggie called it choice, competition and free enterprise. I think Gordon calls it the same. Pensions, TV Licences, Car Tax. The internet significantly too. And people want public bodies/companies to be more efficient, find savings, cut out waste.
We have followed all these to the detriment of the local sub Post Office. To the Tories I would say, be careful what you wish for... free enterprise has no sympathy for social enterprise. That irony, seeing Clr Britcliffe run a particularly nauseating campaign makes people turn against him.
Greg makes a good point too. Who is going to run these sub Post Office's? The sub post masters and mistresses have opted not stay open, but take the payola and do one. Which one of the protestors out there is willing to take on a risky business themself?
In the end the public have used freedom to choose to choose alternative providers of services. This is not my view. I think there could have been more thought, a better compromise, some subsidy. Tory Essex County Council are going to subsidise and save some Post Office's. Politically ironic of course.
Even here in Hyndburn The Council Policy is to promote D/D all times and reduce to payments at Post Office's. 60,000-80,000 Council Tax transactions per year disappear from Post Offices as a direct result of Council Policies. In December there were just 3,500 Council Tax transactions at local Post Offices. 23% down from well over over 50% a few years ago.
Clr Britcliffe's own policy is encourage people to pay Council Tax and Housing Rent via D/D. This policy is supported by a barrage of literature that gets sent out with
• Council Tax
• and Council Tax reminders if they don't get you first time
• and we also use D/D notice prompts
• we try always to remind Counter Callers of the benefits of DD
• we send out Leaflets and place them in prominent positions
• and we do not at any time promote the Payment Card Scheme at PO's
• refusing to put Giro payment forms at the foot of bills
The costs and savings to the Council are as follows
Post Office (and some retail outlets) Card Scheme; 51p per card transaction + £1.30 per card
Direct Debit 10p
Bank Giro £1.80.
It's amazing to see local Tories protesting with placards when their policies have contributed to the closures. (Obviously we all know now as Clr Britcliffe accidently sent a Tory email out to everyone saying how national issues at the local elections would gain them an advantage over Labour - it was followed by an apologetic one 5 minutes later!)
Since leaving the Council, Hyndburn Homes has issued every tenant with a Post Office Payment Card.
I did try and put some suggestions forward but was told to shut up in full council and barred from putting them forward. One was the Big Card Scheme which amalgamates several payments. I sopke with Hyndburn Homes and they liked the idea as do our officers and there is potential to extend the scheme.
Post Office's Services in other buildings, maybe Council subsidy like Essex County Council and importantly. A clear focus on which Post Office's wish to stay open as some actually want take the Post Office payoff and close. So let's save the one's that can be best saved. That would help.
Working together is another. Oak Lea cash machine was saved because Labour and Tories worked together, even though the Post Office was closed.
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So when Labour are attacked because they're voting in parliament for closures and not voting for suspending closures for review, we're childish, but when you attack what the Tories did 30 years ago it's absolutely fine? Give me a break, the hypocracy is unreal.
I get a feeling head office has told Labour to combat any criticisms of what they're doing nationally and locally by accusing the opposition of being childish. Real good tactic!
I'm all for working together but you're really not helping it.