Post Office network change programme to be scrutinised

Shropshire County Council’s economy and environment scrutiny panel will question Post Office Limited and Post Watch on their proposal to close a number of offices across the county at their meeting on 13 May 2008.

The meeting, to be held at Shirehall in Shrewsbury from 5pm, will help the council to challenge the basis on which these offices were put forward for closure. The answers will also form a vital part of the council’s consultation feedback.

Invitations have been sent to representatives from each of the threatened post offices and all members of the public are cordially invited to come along.

Answering questions will be Royal Mail Group’s head of external relations, Mike Dalton and Post Office Limited’s network change manager, Lee James. PostWatch’s committee members, Patrick Cooper and Kath Davis, will also be present.

In additional to the proposals and the background to the network change programme, panel members will also hear a summary of the County Council’s involvement in the process so far.

Alan Mosley, Shropshire County Council’s Chair of the economy and environment scrutiny panel, said: “I’d like to encourage members of the community from each of the areas preparing to fight against closure to attend the meeting.

“We will have the opportunity of questioning key personnel involved in the closure programme. A post office closure is proposed in my division so I am only too aware of the strength of feeling and anxiety about this. It is essential that we ensure that we get to the bottom of why the particular proposals are being made and check the data and rationale.”

Further information

Representation at the meeting:

In addition to members, the following representatives have confirmed attendance at the meeting:

Post Office Ltd.

• Michael Dalton, Head of External Relations
• Lee James, Network Change Manager

Post Watch

• Patrick Cooper, Committee Member
• Kath Davis, Committee Member

6 May 2008