04 June 2008
Responding to the consultation plans by Post Office Ltd to close post offices across Wales, Steve Thomas, WLGA Chief Executive said:
“We are in continuing dialogue with Post Office Ltd over potential post office closures across Wales and possible local government involvement in post office business in the future. Local councillors have grave concerns about the impact of the proposed closures and it was clearly a massive issue in the recent local elections in Wales.
Whilst we accept that there is a rationale for change based on mounting financial losses and falling customer numbers to the UK post office network, we urge Post Office Ltd to keep open across Wales as many parts of the Post Office network as possible. The local post office is at the heart of community life for many communities, offering a vital service that keeps people, particularly elderly people and other socially excluded groups connected to their community as well as other towns and villages across Wales. Whilst it is important to find a sustainable way forward for the post office network in terms of long–term affordability, there must be an equal balance with ensuring community vitality in the future. We remain in discussions with Post Office Ltd to ensure that this consultation is not driven by profit consideration alone. We are also working closely with the Welsh Assembly Government over the possible reintroduction of its Post Office development fund as set out in the One Wales document.”
For more information contact: Natasha Weeks