31/10/2007 Post Office Closure Plan Criticised

Test Valley Debates Post Office Closure Plans

At today's Full Council meeting of Test Valley Borough Council a cross party motion supporting local Post Offices gained unanimous approval from Councillors.

Originally put forward by Cllr Jim Neal and seconded by Cllr Caroline Nokes the motion opposed plans to drastically cut Post Office services in Test Valley and supported the community benefits of the local Post Office network. 

During the meeting many members expressed their concern at the impact the proposed cuts would have in their wards.  Cllr Alan Dowden added to the motion by recognising that their were Post Offices proposed for closure, outside of Test Valley, which would also impact upon Test Valley residents. 

Cllr Caroline Nokes, in seconding the motion, urged all members to show their support for local Post Offices by a unanimous endorsement of the motion.A further Council debate on the proposed closures is to be held at Hampshire County Council, where Cllrs Roy Perry and Michael Woodhall have put forward the following motion:

This  Council strongly criticises the Government's current proposals for Post Office closures in Hampshire as  symptomatic  of their consistent failure to recognise the needs of Shire counties; where in rural villages, suburbs and towns the Post Office is not only an important service in its own right but often is a crucial factor helping in the retention of a local shop.

We urge the government instead of managing decline of the post office network, to seek to bring new business opportunities to the network thereby increasing the financial viability of local businesses.

Test Valley Borough Council will now formally object to the proposals to close Chilworth, Leckford, Goodworth Clatford, Linkenholt, Anna Valley, and Old Winton Road Post Offices, and the plan to reduce Lockerley and West Tytherley Post Offices to outreach only.