Post Office Network | "Dither and it'll wither"

12.00.00am GMT Mon 19th Nov 2007

Quaker's Yard Post Office - one of many community post offices in South Wales facing the axe

Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Mike German today warned that the Post Office Network will wither, if the government continues to dither over grants to help Post Offices diversify.

Speaking ahead of the Welsh Lib Dem debate on Wednesday, Mr German said the government's indecision over re-introducing the Post Office Development Fund meant that they were failing to support crucial community facilities.

Mr. German said: "The days of a comprehensive Post Office network are coming to an end, and the Assembly government keeps saying it will help - but has failed to produce any money.

"Week after week at question time, Ministers say they are committed to bringing back the Post Office Development Fund. Week after week, they say they are waiting. Wait long enough and there'll be no post office left to assist!

"The Post Office Development Fund -set up by Welsh Liberal Democrats in government - helped 106 Post Offices to diversify and become more accessible to their communities. Overwhelmingly, those who received grants felt it had made their business more commercially viable.

"That's why I want to see the PODF re-opened as soon as possible. If that means it has to be done by region - once the current closure plans are implemented, so be it. We've had promises galore - it's time for the Assembly government to take some action.

"The government has dithered now through two rounds of closures. The latest round of closures means that we're getting to a stage when those without a car will no longer be able to access basic community services such as collecting pensions and making payments at the Post Office.

"Many of my constituents in Merthyr, for example, are now being asked to cross a river, a main road or a mountain to get to their local Post Office.

"It's time to re-open the fund."

Notes:

The PODF assisted 106 post offices to remain open between 2002 and 2004 and in total provided £4.1 million in support. (continues over)

The Fund was established to help post offices in Wales' most deprived areas and isolated communities to stay open and become more accessible.

Sub-postmasters in eligible areas were invited to apply for grants of up to £50,000 each to renovate their post offices and widen the range of services and products offered to their customers. The fund closed in July 2004 and has yet to re-open.

Wednesday's Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales: Calls on the Welsh Assembly Government to re-open the Post Office Development Fund on a region by region basis, as soon as each regional area plan has been agreed.

The following amendments have been tabled:

Amendment 1 - Carwyn Jones (Bridgend)

Delete all after "the National Assembly for Wales" and replace with: "Welcomes the Welsh Assembly Government's commitment to reinstating and refocusing the Post Office Development Fund."

Amendment 2 - William Graham (South Wales East)

Add as new point at end of the motion: "Calls upon the Welsh Assembly Government to open discussions with Royal Mail Group over the role of the Post Office Development Fund in supporting a Social Network of Post Offices across Wales prior to proposals for closure being formalised."

Amendment 3 - William Graham (South Wales East)

Add as new point at end of the motion: "Calls upon the Welsh Assembly Government to mount a publicity campaign to ensure postmasters and postmistresses are aware of the fund and how to access it."

Amendment 4 - William Graham (South Wales East)

Add as new point at end of the motion: "Calls on the Welsh Assembly Government to:

a) ensure that it uses the Post Office network for Welsh Assembly business;

b) encourage the UK Government to provide Government business for the network; and

c) facilitate credit unions operating in conjunction with the Post Office network."