|
|
 |
| |
‘It’s time to deliver on post offices!’
Labour calls on ruling Lib Dems to stump up funding to save branches scheduled for closure
THE planned closure of three sub-post offices in Islington next month has sparked a bitter political row between Labour and the ruling Lib Dems.
It followed a call by Labour leader, Councillor Catherine West, for the borough to fund the outlets at a cost of £450,000 over three years.
A similar funding package from Essex County Council to save its local post offices proposes a three-year funding package, after which the sub-post offices are expected to return to profit by offering council services.
But the Lib Dems argued that they had already explored a similar funding plan with the Post Office and even if they wanted to introduce such a scheme, legal issues made it difficult.
A Labour proposal sets out the kind of finances needed for Islington to step in and save the sub-post offices based at Blackstock Road, 100 Caledonian Road and 492 Caledonian Road. The plan was developed after Islington Labour deputy leader Councillor Richard Greening made a direct appeal to the Post Office for the financial information needed to mount a rescue.
Under Labour’s scheme, £150,000 a year for three years could be shared three ways with the Post Office itself getting a “deficit” fee. After three years it would be hoped that the outlets would be in profit thanks to extra work provided by the council.
Cllr Greening said: “Our vision is for the council to encourage people to use post offices by making public services available through our post office branches. People should be able to submit benefit claims or buy parking vouchers at post offices.
“We could even combine post offices with the new Safer Neighbourhoods front counter offices that will be opening in the borough.”
The plan follows the reprieve for Essex Road Crown Post Office after a franchise partner was found for the branch.
However, the Lib Dems executive member Councillor Lucy Watts accused Labour of trying to deflect bad news away from their MP for Islington South and Finsbury, Emily Thornberry.
She said: “Ms Thornberry voted for the closure programme of sub-post offices in the Commons that has resulted in these post offices going, and now they have the cheek to use their spin machines to try to deflect the criticism off her. It is absolutely unbelievable.
“We had the financial figures that Cllr Greening is referring to months ago, which is why we held a series of discussions with the Post Office about how the council could play a role in saving Essex Road and these other post offices.
“But money is not the obstacle to our involvement, if local people decide this is how they want their council tax spent.
“It is the legal issues that are holding us, and other councils, back, and, like other councils, we are waiting for more information on this before we can take it further,” she added |
 |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
|
|
