This Council opposes the closure of Wokingham’s Post Office and its franchising to WH Smith.
Wokingham’s Post Office is at the heart of the local community and an important community hub for many residents, particularly the older and more vulnerable. It is part of the historic character of our market town.
This Council is concerned that there was no proper consultation on whether this controversial proposal to franchise the Post Office should take place.
Wokingham’s residents are concerned that WH Smith’s record for quality of service and queuing times is one of the poorest, and many believe that the retailer will provide a reduced service with longer queues and the provision of inferior advice to customers.
This Council notes that WH Smith currently does not have adequate disabled access.
A number of jobs are at risk of being replaced with minimum wage jobs. Public money will be used to seal the deal in the form of compensation payments to remove existing staff.
This Council will write to the Post Office calling for the abandonment of plans to franchise Wokingham’s Post Office to WH Smith and calls on John Redwood MP to write to the Minister for the Post Office to request that this proposal to be abandoned.
Minutes:
The Council considered the following Notice of Motion submitted by Rachel Burgess and seconded by Andy Croy.
‘This Council opposes the closure of Wokingham’s Post Office and its franchising to WH Smith.
Wokingham’s Post Office is at the heart of the local community and an important community hub for many residents, particularly the older and more vulnerable. It is part of the historic character of our market town.
This Council is concerned that there was no proper consultation on whether this controversial proposal to franchise the Post Office should take place.
Wokingham’s residents are concerned that WH Smith’s record for quality of service and queuing times is one of the poorest, and many believe that the retailer will provide a reduced service with longer queues and the provision of inferior advice to customers.
This Council notes that WH Smith currently does not have adequate disabled access.
A number of jobs are at risk of being replaced with minimum wage jobs. Public money will be used to seal the deal in the form of compensation payments to remove existing staff.
This Council will write to the Post Office calling for the abandonment of plans to franchise Wokingham’s Post Office to WH Smith and calls on John Redwood MP to write to the Minister for the Post Office to request that this proposal to be abandoned.’
Rachel Burgess and Andy Croy highlighted the importance of the Post Office to the town, the potential impact the proposals would have on staff and the lack of public consultation.
It was moved by Clive Jones and seconded by Prue Bray that the Motion be amended by inserting the words in Bold as follows:
‘This Council will oppose the closure of Wokingham’s Post Office and its franchising to WH Smith.
Wokingham’s Post Office is at the heart of the local community and an important community hub for many residents, particularly the older and more vulnerable. It is part of the historic character of our market town.
This Council acknowledges the consultation on the proposal that is planned for early in the New Year but is concerned that there was no proper consultation on whether this controversial proposal to franchise the Post Office should take place at an earlier stage.
Wokingham’s residents are concerned that WH Smith’s record for quality of service and queuing times is one of the poorest locally, and many believe that the retailer will provide a reduced service with longer queues and the provision of inferior advice to customers.
This Council notes that WH Smith currently does not have adequate disabled access inside the store.
A number of jobs are at risk of being replaced with minimum wage jobs. Public money might be used to seal the deal in the form of compensation payments to remove existing staff.
Unless the Post Office provides guarantees on disabled access, jobs and the quality and scope of services including the ability to collect parcels currently provided by the Royal Mail in the existing building, this Council will write to the Post Office calling for the abandonment of plans to franchise Wokingham’s Post Office to WH Smith and will call on John Redwood MP to write to the Minister for the Post Office to request that this proposal to be abandoned.’
The amendment to the Motion was not accepted by the proposer of the original Motion.
Upon being put to the vote it was:
RESOLVED: That the amended Motion become the substantive Motion.
Clive Jones stated that he wanted to see the same level of service currently enjoyed, provided. He believed that there would be a public consultation in January, including a public exhibition.
Some Members questioned what effect the proposals would have on the parcel sorting service.
Following debate and upon being put to the vote, the amended (substantive) Motion was declared by the Mayor to be carried.
RESOLVED: That this Council will oppose the closure of Wokingham’s Post Office and its franchising to WH Smith.
Wokingham’s Post Office is at the heart of the local community and an important community hub for many residents, particularly the older and more vulnerable. It is part of the historic character of our market town.
This Council acknowledges the consultation on the proposal that is planned for early in the New Year but is concerned that there was no proper consultation on whether this controversial proposal to franchise the Post Office should take place at an earlier stage.
Wokingham’s residents are concerned that WH Smith’s record for quality of service and queuing times is one of the poorest locally, and many believe that the retailer will provide a reduced service with longer queues and the provision of inferior advice to customers.
This Council notes that WH Smith currently does not have adequate disabled access inside the store.
A number of jobs are at risk of being replaced with minimum wage jobs. Public money might be used to seal the deal in the form of compensation payments to remove existing staff.
Unless the Post Office provides guarantees on disabled access, jobs and the quality and scope of services including the ability to collect parcels currently provided by the Royal Mail in the existing building, this Council will write to the Post Office calling for the abandonment of plans to franchise Wokingham’s Post Office to WH Smith and will call on John Redwood MP to write to the Minister for the Post Office to request that this proposal to be abandoned.