Post Office Campaign - Archive Page

WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT? Week 1 update 20th November 2007

We have learnt this week that Somerby Post Office faces the threat of imminent closure. This has come about as a direct result of the countrywide restructuring plan initiated by the Government in 2006.

Post Office Ltd. have informed us that as part of the area plan for Leicestershire and Rutland they are proposing to close Somerby Post Office on a permanent basis to be replaced by a part time hosted service for two afternoons a week.

Having discussed this with Christine and Richard who run our Post Office it is apparent that this proposed ‘outreach’ service will be totally inadequate for the needs of local people from the parish and surrounding areas.

The current postal usage of Somerby Post Office amounts to 500 transactions weekly and it is proposed that these should be crammed into two four hour sessions per week. This would mean Christine would have less than one minute to serve each customer. This is totally unworkable. No provision has been made within this plan for the age and mobility of customers. There are a lot of older and less mobile people who depend on Somerby Post Office – currently 120 pensioners call at the Post Office regularly to collect their pensions.

Furthermore Post Office ltd. has listed three other Post Offices that fall within the Government target of being less than six miles from Somerby. However only Langham Post Office, destined also to offer limited hours is on a bus route serving Somerby. This will mean local people inevitably having to use their cars to access Post Office services if Somerby cannot cope due to the proposed limited opening times.

The Post Office forms a vital part of the only shop that survives in Somerby and the surrounding villages. There is a distinct danger that if these plans go through in their current form it could ultimately lead to the closure of this vital village amenity.

WHAT CAN WE DO?

· We only have six weeks to make the case against this plan.

· The Parish Council is co-ordinating an intensive campaign in conjunction with neighbouring villages, local businesses, and churches and of course Parishioners.

· Your local Parish Councillor will call and ask you to sign a petition apposing the changes. Letters texts will be available for parishioners use.

· We will be seeking the support of our local MP Alan Duncan to help us in this fight.

· We will be seeking publicity to support this campaign.

· Demonstrate your support by continuing to use Somerby Post Office as much as possible as this will help the cause.

Please contact your local councillor if you can help in any way.

Week 2 Update 27th November 2007
Watch out for leaflets being distributed throughout the Parish and surrounding villages. Petition forms are available for signing in the Post Office. Banners and notices displaying the message "Save Our Post Office" have been ordered and will shortly be on view around the Parish.
Work is also going on to make a strong case to Post Office Ltd.against the closure.
Local businesses will be asked to write to Post Office Ltd. to express their concerns about the proposed closure.
Keep using the Post Office as much as possible as this will help the cause.

Week 3 Update 4th December

Banners & signs have been delivered and are being erected in prominent positions around the Parish. The Parish Protection Group will be working with the Parish Council to plan more media events over the coming days. The Melton Times are continuing to cover the protests each week.

Protest Meeting Planned - Week 4 Update 11th December 2007

A protest meeting will take place this coming Saturday 15th December at Somerby Post Office. Protesters will meet at the Post Office on the High Street in Somerby from 10.00 am. Local media have been invited and local people will use the opportunity to demonstrate their strong feelings against the planned closure.

News Update February 2008

Public Meeting 28th February
Somerby Memorial Hall @ 7.30pm
Hear all the latest news and voice your opinions.
All welcome

News Update January 2008

The submission to Post Office Ltd. has now been sent. 947 poeple signed the petition and we now await news of the final decision that we understand will be made at the end of January. Richard and Christine and the Parish Council thank everyone who supported the campaign.

Leicestershire County Council Chief Executive's Press Release
20 March 2008
Working together to save Leicestershire's post offices
Putting post offices in pubs and shops is one option being explored after a meeting to look at securing vital services in Leicestershire.
Bringing in mobile post offices is another innovative possibility also being looked into following the meeting between the County Council and the Post Office.
The Post Office made it clear that the County Council cannot help the five branches earmarked for reduced hours but is working with the authority to see if services can be delivered in different ways.
The meeting took place today (Thursday, 20th) at County Hall and involved David Parsons, Leader of the County Council, Simon Galton, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, Nick Beal, Network Planning Manager for the Post Office and County Council officers.
In January, the County Council asked the Post Office to re-think its plans to close 16 branches in Leicestershire and reduce the service available at a further five.
David Parsons said: "Our discussion with the Post Office has shown the route by which cooperation can take place.
"We are determined to take it to the next level to see how much service can be preserved and in what ways we can help."
Simon Galton said: "The meeting was extremely constructive and we have agreed to share information and see how we can work together to get the best possible Post Office network for Leicestershire residents.
"We are pleased that the Post Office has reacted so quickly to our request and is willing to seriously consider our proposals."
Notes:
The five branches earmarked for a reduced service are:
Tilton
Somerby
Wymeswold
Buckminster
Old Dalby