Late last week I had a detailed briefing from Huw Roberts and the Post Office team about the closures that are scheduled for Brecon & Radnorshire, Ceredigion and Montgomeryshire. I don’t blame the Post Office for the closure programme which is clearly motivated and inspired by the government who hold all the shares in the Post Office, but I am really concerned about the effect of some of the closures that are being proposed.
What hasn’t happened yet is a recognition by the government (or indeed any previous government) of the undoubted social function of the Post Office. This needs to be built in to the system so that closures do not just happen on economic grounds. They serve many people who are old and vulnerable, and you just cannot put a price on something like that.
That said, and although I will, of course, be opposing Post Office closures, where a Post Office is closing and a mobile service is provided this is certainly better than nothing. Indeed, I visited a mobile Post Office that was parked outside the Assembly building when the consultation was going on, and a full range of services are offered with a mobile service and they do visit at regular times, so whilst not ideal it is certainly better than nothing and credit to the Post Office for at least introducing that as a possibility.
This is such an important issue that I wanted to set out what I am proposing in relation to each of the three constituencies of Mid Wales in terms of campaigning to retain the services.
Below are press releases issued:
NICK FIGHTS LABOUR’S POST OFFICE CLOSURE PROGRAMME
Nick Bourne, Leader of the Official Opposition and Assembly Member for Mid & West Wales, said that he was concerned at decisions on the Post Office closure programme just announced by the Post Office.
Nick Bourne, Leader of the Official Opposition and Assembly Member for Mid & West Wales, said that he was concerned at decisions on the Post Office closure programme just announced by the Post Office.
“The Labour government, of course, aided and abetted by Labour and Plaid in the Bay, is behind these closures. The government holds all the shares in the Post Office company and the closures are essentially dictated by the government.
“I am, of course, concerned about all of the closures in Brecon & Radnor. Some of the Post Offices earmarked for closure have a substantial customer base. This is certainly true of Llanfaes (average of 607 users per week) and Pendre (average of 612 users per week) in Brecon, and Ridgebourne (average of 325 users per week) and Tremont Road (average of 393 users per week) in Llandrindod Wells. I am also concerned about the communities of Cwmgiedd and Evenjobb which are set to lose their Post Offices.
“And, of course, all of the Post Offices have a clientele which includes people who are old and vulnerable, for whom it is a valuable social service as well as a business. I understand that and believe that we need to ensure that a Post Office service remains in these communities.
“I accept that a mobile service is better than no service at all, and to that extent, where a service is being withdrawn, I am pleased that a mobile service is going to be provided for some communities. This will be true of Merthyr Cynog, Llyswen, Llanwrtyd Wells, Llandyfaelogfach and Erwood. I have visited a mobile Post Office and do find that they provide a good range of facilities and, whilst any withdrawal of services is something that I am against, clearly a mobile service is better than nothing. However, this is second best and I will oppose these changes.
However, before this there will be a consultation period on these proposed closures which will go on until 19 May. That period must be used to make appeals against these notices of closure and to write to Labour and Plaid Ministers to make our views known.
“I will be fighting for these Post Offices and their communities to ensure that they have proper provision for Post Office services, and I have already spoken to some of the Post Office Managers affected. I will be campaigning hard to save these services with Suzy Davies, our Parliamentary candidate.”
NICK FIGHT’S LABOUR’S POST OFFICE CLOSURE PROGRAMME
Nick Bourne, Leader of the Official Opposition and Assembly Member for Mid & West Wales, said that he had met up with the Post Office to discuss closures planned for Ceredigion Post Offices. These closures have been brought in by Labour at Westminster but from past experience I have no doubt they will be supported by Labour and Plaid in Wales.
“Glynarthen and Llanfarian are both scheduled for closure. This is unacceptable and I will be fighting these closure plans.
“The Pontrhydfendigaid service is becoming a partnered service at a local shop, and this should mean that the service continues much as before and I find this acceptable, as I do the move to a partner service at Devils Bridge. This should be seamless and not involve any real change to the service.
“Other services in Dihewyd, Llanddewi Brefi, Llangeitho, Llanilar, Pontshaen and Talgarreg are proposed to become mobile services. I am opposed to this. At least where there is a mobile service proposed there will be something in place, and having visited a mobile Post Office I can confirm that the range of services that is available is considerable, and whilst clearly this is second best at least there is a service being provided.
“But I am particularly concerned about the move in Talybont to shorter hours as this is quite a large community and on average 260 people use the Post Office every week.
“All of these closures and variations affect our communities. They will hit the older members of our area and the vulnerable, and I will fight for the retention of this valuable service. I have already spoken to some of the Post Office Managers affected.
“The consultation period for these proposed closures ends on 19 May. That period must be used to make appeals against these notices of closure and to write to Labour and Plaid Ministers to make our views known.”
NICK FIGHTS FOR MONTGOMERYSHIRE POST OFFICES
Nick Bourne, Leader of the Official Opposition and Assembly Member for Mid & West Wales, said that he had heard what the plans were for the Labour government’s closure programme in relation to Montgomeryshire Post Offices. I have no doubt too that Labour and Plaid Cymru will back Labour at Westminster.
Nick Bourne, Leader of the Official Opposition and Assembly Member for Mid & West Wales, said that he had heard what the plans were for the Labour government’s closure programme in relation to Montgomeryshire Post Offices. I have no doubt too that Labour and Plaid Cymru will back Labour at Westminster.
“Garth Owen in Newtown will close, and this certainly concerns me. I am making representations on that because it serves a community which will now be deprived of its local Post Office. This Post Office has an average of 520 users per week, which is quite high
“In addition, Abermule, Berriew, Castle Caererinion and Sarn are proposed to become mobile services, Llanbrynmair and Trefeglwys will become hosted services with somebody visiting to assist with the Post Office service, which is a massive reduction of service, and Carno is seeking a partnered service, probably in a shop which, if organised, would, I think, be acceptable as the service will go on as before.
“I will be fighting this closure programme. It is unacceptable to the communities of Mid Wales and will hit older members of our communities and the vulnerable the hardest.
“The consultation period closes on 19 May and we must use this period to object to the closures and to write to Labour and Plaid Ministers to express our unyielding opposition. I will be fighting alongside Glyn Davies, our Parliamentary candidate, to stop these closures.
