Exeter City Council notes with concern that:-
1. On 11 October 2018 it was announced that 74 crown post offices across the UK,will be franchised to WHSmith. Taken together, successive franchise announcements mean the loss of 60% of the crown office network since 2013.
2. These privatisations are financed using millions of pounds of public money, despite the fact that the public has never endorsed the closures, indeed they have only ever protested against them. In 2014/15 alone, £13 million of public money was used to pay compensation to get rid of post office staff, and the CWU estimates the staff compensation cost of the latest privatisation will be at least £30 million, affecting as it does, 800 staff.
3. Reports by Consumer Focus (2012) and Citizens Advice (2016) have identified issues with the franchising of post offices to WHSmith including poor accessibility for people with mobility impairments, longer queuing times, and inferior service and advice on products.
4. Franchising means the loss of jobs with good terms and conditions at the Post Office. WHSmith replaces experienced post office staff with new employees in typically minimum wage part time roles. This is clearly bad for jobs in the local area and the Post Office workers, many of whom are CWU members
5. The closure of Crown post offices and relocation to a WHSmith, also means the loss of prime high street stores and this contributes to the demise of town centres. No explanation has been given as to why the profit-making Crown post offices are being handed to a failing retailer with an uncertain future, and what will happen to these services if WHSmith folds.
6. All Crown post offices are under threat of closure and/or franchising in future, and if the latest round of privatisations, are allowed to go ahead, it could prove the tipping point for the viability of the entire post office network.
This Council believes that:-
7. Our post offices are a key asset for the community and the expertise and experience of staff there is invaluable
8. The relentless franchising and closure programme of the profit-making Crown post Offices, points to a lack of vision rather than the plan for growth and innovation that is needed.
9. Government should therefore halt these closures and bring together stakeholders, including the CWU, and industry experts to develop a new strategy that safeguards the future of the Post office.
This Council resolves to:-
10. Write to Government to raise concern about the apparent managed decline of the post office network across the UK and the impact on high streets, as well as the service in the franchised premises, and the poor quality jobs that result
11. To join campaigns to raise awareness of the value of our Post Office and the need for it to remain an asset of and for the people.
Minutes:
Councillor Bialyk, seconded by Councillor Newby, moved a Notice of Motion in the following terms:-
Exeter City Council notes with concern that:-
1. On 11 October 2018 it was announced that 74 crown post offices across the UK, will be franchised to WHSmith. Taken together, successive franchise announcements mean the loss of 60% of the crown office network since 2013.
2. These privatisations are financed using millions of pounds of public money, despite the fact that the public has never endorsed the closures, indeed they have only ever protested against them. In 2014/15 alone, £13 million of public money was used to pay compensation to get rid of post office staff, and the CWU estimates the staff compensation cost of the latest privatisation will be at least £30 million, affecting as it does, 800 staff.
3. Reports by Consumer Focus (2012) and Citizens Advice (2016) have identified issues with the franchising of post offices to WHSmith including poor accessibility for people with mobility impairments, longer queuing times, and inferior service and advice on products.
4. Franchising means the loss of jobs with good terms and conditions at the Post Office. WHSmith replaces experienced post office staff with new employees in typically minimum wage part time roles. This is clearly bad for jobs in the local area and the Post Office workers, many of whom are CWU members
5. The closure of Crown post offices and relocation to a WHSmith, also means the loss of prime high street stores and this contributes to the demise of town centres. No explanation has been given as to why the profit-making Crown post offices are being handed to a failing retailer with an uncertain future, and what will happen to these services if WHSmith folds.
6. All Crown post offices are under threat of closure and/or franchising in future, and if the latest round of privatisations, are allowed to go ahead, it could prove the tipping point for the viability of the entire post office network.
This Council believes that:-
7. Our post offices are a key asset for the community and the expertise and experience of staff there is invaluable
8. The relentless franchising and closure programme of the profit-making Crown post offices, points to a lack of vision rather than the plan for growth and innovation that is needed.
9. Government should therefore halt these closures and bring together stakeholders, including the CWU, and industry experts to develop a new strategy that safeguards the future of the Post office.
This Council resolves to:-
10. Write to Government to raise concern about the apparent managed decline of the post office network across the UK and the impact on high streets, as well as the service in the franchised premises, and the poor quality jobs that result
11. To join campaigns to raise awareness of the value of our Post Office and the need for it to remain an asset of and for the people.
In presenting his Notice of Motion, Councillor Bialyk stated that it was important that the Council defended the Post Offices as they were an essential part of the community and not everyone had access to the internet nor did they have bank accounts. It was therefore important that Post Offices were retained.
During discussion, Members’ concerns regarding the relocation of the Post Office to WH Smith’s in the city centre included access for the disabled, as there was no nearby parking, lack of trained staff and poor working conditions for employees, including those on a minimum wage for a skilled position. It was also noted that the Crown Post Offices were already making vast profits.
Councillor Owen proposed two amendments to the Notice of Motion:-
· 2. CWU to be in full Communication Workers Union (CWU)
· In the resolution 11. Replace join with support
These were accepted by the proposer Councillor Bialyk and seconder Councillor Newby.
In seconding the Notice of Motion, Councillor Newby stated that, currently, the post office staff received good training and had a wealth of experience and knowledge, which would be lost and WH Smiths staff would receive inadequate training of just two days.
Councillor Bialyk welcomed the united support of the Council Chamber on this Notice of Motion.
RESOLVED that the Council:-
(1) write to Government to raise concern about the apparent managed decline of the post office network across the UK and the impact on high streets, as well as the service in the franchised premises, and the poor quality jobs that result; and
(2) to support campaigns to raise awareness of the value of our Post Office and the need for it to remain an asset of and for the people.
The Notice of Motion was put to the vote and carried unanimously.