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Too passive
• I was executive member at the time of the last round of post office closures, 2003, where the council and local people put a convincing case for keeping post offices in communities with high deprivation.
This time around the council seems to be much more passive in the practical task of representing people, but louder in the politics of condemnation.
Here are some practical suggestions for the council to stand up for local people:
l Westminster City Council is proposing an innovative partnership which could see some post offices opening in council-run libraries.
We should explore this;
l new business like child trust funds, or council discount schemes could make post offices more viable;
l branches could be used as council information points for council campaigns or education – giving post offices a hire fee for campaigns;
l saving local post offices is not mentioned in the community strategy, agreed in 2006 – if it had been this would give the council greater weight and force at the negotiating table;
l Additional research to support our case – last time there were closures the then Labour council put an experienced senior officer on the case. She developed useful deprivation analysis – strengthening the case for two offices in deprived areas and supported residents in their representations
l Scrutiny – in 2003 Camden held a scrutiny panel with strong report recommendations and the council ran public meetings. We were also in regular contact with Postwatch what have the Lib Dems/Tories done?
l Judicial Review – Ken Livingstone confirmed he is considering a legal challenge.
The mayor believes the Post Office’s consultation period should be extended to at least 12 weeks, as per Cabinet Office guidance – Lib Dem and Tories should support him too
All of us want post offices to remain open and to be sustainable in the longer term.
We should all be keen to work to achieve this, but the council must provide better leadership in this matter.
Cllr Theo Blackwell
Labour, Regent’s Park Ward
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