Post Office Network Restructuring in Bradford, excluding Keighley

Report of the Strategic Director of Customer Services to the meeting of Executive to
be held on 15th July 2008
M
Subject: Post Office Network restructuring in Bradford, excluding Keighley and
Ilkley: options for action after the public consultation period
Summary
This report summarises the outcome of the consultation process instigated by the Council
in respect of the major post office network restructure programme in the four Bradford
Parliamentary Constituencies, excluding Keighley and Ilkley. In particular the report
details:1.
The public consultation response
2.
The characteristics of the post offices planned for closure and their local community
3.
Options for response to the post office consultation and makes recommendations
thereon
Wallace Sampson
Strategic Director, Customer Services
Portfolio: Corporate
Report Contact: E. Brookfield
Phone: (01274) 434480
[email protected]
Overview and Scrutiny Area:
Corporate
1.0
1.1
Background
At its meeting of 11th September 2007 Executive was advised that Post Office
Services Ltd. (POL) propose to close 2,500 sub post offices nationwide during
2007/08, as an efficiency measure.
1.2
It was reported that POL’s public consultation for the programme for the Bradford
district would be actioned in two phases: phase one covering the Keighley
Parliamentary Constituency actioned from 26th November 2007 and completing on
17th January 2008 and phase two, the four other Parliamentary Constituencies,
starting on May 13th 2008 and completing on June 20th 2008.
1.3
Officers have facilitated the Council’s own consultation on the proposed closure
programme for the Bradford Constituency areas through:
(i)
(ii)
its usual consultation channels.
an analysis of the community value of each PO planned to close
1.4
Eleven sub post offices proposed for closure were announced on 13th May 2008
and are listed at Appendix One.
1.5
Officers consulted with residents via neighbourhood forums during May and June
2008. A number of forums were attended by representatives from POL and
Postwatch- the Government agency charged with ensuring Post Office Services
comply with the terms of the reconfiguration programme.
1.6
Appendix 2 provides an analysis of public comments from the forums in respect of
the named sub post offices and lists queries about the accuracy of POL’s
descriptions of access to alternative post offices.
1.7
With the exception of St Paul’s Road and Ashbourne Estate offices, where no
adverse comments have been received about closures, respondents to the
Council’s consultation are strongly supportive of retaining the identified post offices.
The main reasons given to retain services in their present location are:
1.8
•
firstly, accessibility: in several cases people have said that access to
alternative post offices will be more difficult due to both distance and a
steep, hilly terrain. Respondents challenge POL’s descriptions of terrain
(“sloping” when it would be more accurate to say “steep hills”) car parking
arrangements and bus services eg. Chellow Dene and Duckworth Lane;
•
secondly, a strong appreciation of the ‘social value’ of each of the post
offices. Respondents cite friendly customer service, convenience to shop
and pay bills and a community and service information centre.
Respondents raised a number of questions and suggestions that would require
both time and detailed discussions with Post Office Services Ltd, community
groups, Ward Councillors and local businesses, to provide a considered response,
for example to look at community led solutions. The consultation period is for 6
weeks. That does not provide the Council with sufficient time to enter into detailed
discussions about practical, alternative actions.
2
Report to the Executive
2.0
2.1
Other Considerations
The Council meeting on 26th June 2007 resolved the following, in relation to the
2007 proposed Post Office closures:
“This Council calls on the Chief Executive to report to the Executive on the
possibility of local partnership with Post Offices for the delivery of Council
services, including benefits payments, Council Tax collection and the
provision of public information”.
The issues surrounding the transfer of cash collection to alternative service
providers are currently being investigated and will be subject to a separate report.
2.2
Pursuant to the Local Government Act 2000, Local Authorities have a statutory
power to promote the social, economic and environmental well being of their
Districts. To this can be added the place shaping role attributed to Local
Authorities, in the local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007.
2.3
There are currently 73 post offices in the four Constituencies. The closure list of 11
equates to 15% of the total. Post Office Services aim to close around 18% of post
offices in each separate Area Plan.
2.4
The criteria against which Post Office Services have chosen to evaluate impact of
closures is “access”. This ensures that, following the restructuring:
a) 99% of the UK population should be within 3 miles of a post office and 90%
within one mile;
b) for deprived communities (defined as the 15% most deprived Super Outputs
Areas) 99% of the population should live within one mile of post office services.
c) for rural populations, 95% of the population will be within 3 miles of a post office
2.5
The proposed closures in the four Constituencies will meet these criteria.
2.6
Whilst Post Offices Services state publicly that the primary objective of the
restructure programme is to achieve financial stability for all post office services,
the organisation has not provided ( in either their Area Plan or on their website) the
economic or business plan rationale for closing the named post offices. As a result,
it is not possible to determine what cost savings will be achieved by closing the
named post offices, nor how those costs compare with the costs of the other 62
Bradford offices.
2.7
The experience of Councils in the earlier rounds of restructure is that, where a
named post office is saved from closure, POL will require an alternative post office
from the district to be substituted for closure. Kent County Council received news of
58 proposed closures. POL proceeded with 56 but required two further closures to
compensate.
2.8
At the time of completing this report, the public consultation had completed.
3.0
3.1
Options
In considering options for this report the following factors are pertinent:3
Report to the Executive
•
Consultation has shown that there is strong public support to retain the post
offices
•
Statistical analysis of the surrounding communities for each of the locations
shows that deprivation indicators, income support and job seekers allowance
claims, are higher than the Bradford average in:
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
Leeds Road
Woodhall Avenue
City Road
Manningham
In all the locations, car ownership is lower than the Bradford average; in the
St Paul’s area there is a higher than average population of the over 65s.
•
3.2
The short timetable set by POL does not allow development of detailed,
sustainable options to provide for long term post office services for
communities and business in the affected offices
Executive can respond to POL by:i) Opposing the proposals in respect of all eleven post offices and requesting
further time to discuss options with franchisees. Experience elsewhere in the
country suggests that Post Office Services will not co-operate with such a request.
or
ii) accept the proposals for closure for one or more offices, using the comments
received and the statistical analysis of the respective communities to support
actions.
or
iii) accept the proposals for closure for all post offices.
or
iv) Oppose proposals in respect of all post offices and instruct the Strategic Director
of Customer Services to draft an appropriate response to POL by 23rd July 2008
stating the Council’s:
•
•
Concerns regarding the timescales for the public consultation process
Restating the Council’s support for the retention of post offices to provide
sustainability to local communities
4.0
4.1
Financial and resource appraisal
There are no financial or resource implications for the Council in respect of either
supporting or rejecting Post Office Service proposals.
5.0
5.1
Legal appraisal
There are no legal implications in responding to the POL consultation process.
6.0
Other implications
6.1
Equal Rights
6.1.1 There are no Equal Rights implications in respect of responding to the consultation.
4
Report to the Executive
6.2
Sustainability implications
6.2.1 Responses to date do not indicate that the withdrawal of post office services from a
retail outlet will make outlets un-economic to keep open.
6.2.2 Post Offices Services have stated that the final network restructure should ensure
future sustainability of the retained post offices. That statement is not a guarantee
that retained post offices will remain indefinitely, nor that post office services will
continue to be delivered through a traditional “post –office” entity.
6.2.3 Should Post Office Services be persuaded to retain any of the eleven post offices,
the terms of their restructure exercise may lead to closures of alternative post
offices in the Constituencies.
6.3
Community safety implications
6.3.1 This report has no community safety implications.
6.4
Human Rights Act
6.4.1 This report has no Human Rights Act implications.
6.5
Trade Union
6.5.1 This report has no Trade Union Implications.
7.0
7.1
Not for publication documents
There are no “not for publication” documents, with this report.
8.0
Recommendations
That Executive:
Notes the result of the different consultation exercises in the four Bradford
Constituencies.
8.1
8.2
Considers the options in paragraph 3.2 and determine their preferred option.
9.0
9.1
Appendices
Appendix 1 - list of the eleven sub post offices proposed for closure.
9.2
Appendix 2 - comments from the Neighbourhood Forums, during May and June
2008 where the closure of a local sub post office was discussed with comments on
the assessment of the alternative post office services proposed by POL, together
with record of attendance by either Post Office Services or Postwatch
9.3
Appendix 3 - a profile of the communities served by each post office
9.4
Appendix 4 - maps - separate maps of each post office location to show:
(i)
Deprivation
(ii)
One mile access radius to alternative post offices
(iii)
Terrain/gradient
10.
10.1
Background documents
Report to Executive, 11th September 2007
10.2
Report to Executive 15th January 2008
5
Report to the Executive
APPENDIX 1
List of planned post office closures, Bradford
1.
Ashbourne Estate
1041 Bolton Road Bradford BD2 4LN - Bradford North
2.
Leeds Road
812 Leeds Road Bradford BD3 9TY - Bradford North
3.
Undercliffe
10 Harrogate Road, Undercliffe, Bradford BD2 3DU - Bradford North
4.
Woodhall Avenue
1 Woodhall Avenue Bradford BD3 7BY - Bradford North
5.
Wibsey
96 High Street Bradford BD6 1NB - Bradford South
6.
Chellow Dene
1-3 Pearson Lane Bradford BD9 6BB - Bradford West
7.
City Road
104 City Road Bradford BD8 8JT - Bradford West
8.
Duckworth Lane
60 Duckworth Lane Bradford BD9 5HA - Bradford West
9.
Leaventhorpe (Temporarily closed)
1009 Thornton Road Bradford BD8 0PA - Bradford West
10.
Manningham
Manningham Post Office, 14-18 Green Lane, Bradford BD8 7SP - Bradford West
11.
St Pauls Road
51 Bradford Road Shipley BD18 3DS - Shipley
6
Appendix 2
Results of neighbourhood forum consultations on post office restructuring, Bradford, with comments on access at
alternative branches May/June 2008
Post Office
planned for
closure
Discussed at
Forum & date
Comments
Comments about alternative post
offices
Did POL or
Postwatch
attend?
No
General unhappiness at potential loss
of post office services- good
relationships with present post masters;
both very busy
o concerns around physical access
to alternative at heights Lane:
access is up a hill;
o alternative at Lilycroft would not
accommodate wheelchairs
o Car parking at Lilycroft is poor
o concerns that alternative post
offices at Allerton road will not
have the capacity to cope with
more customers;
o Allerton Road Post Office is in a
Co-op shop they will be queuing
out of the door
o Kensington Street will be difficult
as there is no public transport
and it is a very steep hill.
o It’s a long walk from Daisy Hill to
Allerton and is a very steep hill.
o The Heights Lane Co-op is also
very hilly and there are buses,
they don’t run at all in bad
weather.
o Half of Bradford use the
Duckworth Lane Post Office; if it
Yes,
Postwatch
Barkerend
Children’s Centre
28th May
Duckworth Lane
Chellow Dene
Daisy Hill, at
Church of Latter
Day Saints
4th June
Sample comments:
A resident pays her bills and gets her
pension from Chellow Dene Post Office.
It is a shop as well as a Post Office so
is very good for local residents.
Duckworth Lane is the only Post Office
for miles around where you can get
your car taxed. Are there any plans for
an alternative Post Office to take on this
role?
Duckworth Lane is such a busy Post
Office they are always queuing out of
the door and is part of a busy shopping
parade where residents can get all they
need.
Is being busy not an important fact?
Residents showed which Post Office
they objected to being closed,
1
Appendix 2
Results of neighbourhood forum consultations on post office restructuring, Bradford, with comments on access at
alternative branches May/June 2008
Post Office
planned for
closure
Discussed at
Forum & date
Comments
Comments about alternative post
offices
approximately 25 for Chellow Dene and
38 for Duckworth Lane.
is relocated other Post Offices
will be extremely busy.
o Lilycroft is very small, you
wouldn’t get a wheelchair into the
shop and it is very difficult to
cross the roads since the refuge
by Westfield Garage was taken
out. They are very busy roads.
55 residents attended
An 80 signature petition has been
collected
Did POL or
Postwatch
attend?
o There are parking bays at
Lilycroft, however, they are
always full and there is a
problem with double parking.
Woodhall
Avenue,
Ashbourne
Estate, Bolton
Road
Thornbury Forum, 26 residents; two councillors and 8
•
young people attended;
at Thornbury
Centre
10th June
• Woodhall has crossing facilities the
•
other branches do not
• Post Office queues are always
lengthy – this will get worse if
Woodhall closes.
• Many users are elderly or disabled
and unable to stand for lengthy
periods of time
• Woodhall caters for many elderly
residents unable to go elsewhere and
who do not have internet facilities or
There are no parking facilities at
the other branches
Yes,
Postwatch
Other branches have security
guards as there are local addicts
causing problems– this makes
residents fearful
2
Appendix 2
Results of neighbourhood forum consultations on post office restructuring, Bradford, with comments on access at
alternative branches May/June 2008
Post Office
planned for
closure
Discussed at
Forum & date
Comments
•
•
Comments about alternative post
offices
Did POL or
Postwatch
attend?
anyone to help them get to a Post
Office that’s further away
Woodhall is the hub of the community
– if this is lost the elderly particularly
will feel dejected
Residents feel safe going to the
Woodhall Post Office
Councillor Riaz complained that this area
losing 2 out of 3 Post Offices and
expressed concern over the unfairness
of this
Wibsey Branch
96 High Street,
Wibsey
Odsall forum at
Wibsey Methodist
church 10th June
• 20 residents attended the meeting
• a petition has been organised – so
far 1500 signatures
• Good parking including disabled
parking outside Wibsey branch PO
• Residents felt the proposed closure
of the High Street branch post office
would adversely affect an increasing
number of senior citizens and disabled
people who would be caused major
problems.
• No parking facilities at St Enoch’s
PO
• DVLA facilities not available at
nearby branches
Yes,
Postwatch
3
Appendix 2
Results of neighbourhood forum consultations on post office restructuring, Bradford, with comments on access at
alternative branches May/June 2008
Post Office
planned for
closure
Discussed at
Forum & date
Comments
Comments about alternative post
offices
Did POL or
Postwatch
attend?
Resident wanted to complain in the
strongest terms about closure of
Chellow Dene Post Office. Has a
disabled relative who cannot manage
change. This Post Office is right on her
doorstep
The terrain to the alternative at
Height Lane is up a steep hill and is
an impossible walk for her, taking
perhaps an hour. There is no bus
service to get to Heights Lane Post
Office
Yes- both had
reps. present
3 proposed post office closures out of
10 in Bradford are affecting this area.
This really affects us. We need to
consider disability and getting into town
by bus.
It will be extremely difficult for local
people from this area with the
proposed changes in terms of
walking and other difficulties
• 47 residents attended the meeting
• a petition has been organised – so
far 1500 signatures
• Wibsey has a high number of older
people – has this been taken into
consideration?
• Poor parking facilities at St.
Enoch’s PO
• Alternative branches would not
be providing the DVLA facilities
• There is more than adequate parking
facilities available for customers
Local Ward Councillors are supportive
of the local post office and the
community against the proposed
closure
Duckworth Lane
Chellow Dene
Leaventhorpe
/Thornton Road
Wibsey Branch
96 High Street,
Wibsey
Fairweather
Green, at St
Saviour’s church
11th June
Wibsey evening
at Wibsey primary
school
12th June
Yes,
Postwatch
4
Appendix 2
Results of neighbourhood forum consultations on post office restructuring, Bradford, with comments on access at
alternative branches May/June 2008
Post Office
planned for
closure
Duckworth Lane
Discussed at
Forum & date
Duckworth lane
19th June
Comments
Comments about alternative post
offices
• elderly use this post office
• Duckworth Lane post office is part of
an active business community of
small shops
• the post office is very well used by
the Bradford Royal infirmary
• This is an area classed as having
multiple deprivation
• bus to Lilycroft isn’t practical for
elderly- it’s a long way
• The approach to Kensington
Street is up a steep hill
• The alternatives do not allow you
to tax your car
Did POL or
Postwatch
attend?
Yes,
Postwatch
43 residents attended
one Post watch rep attended.
Woodhall
Avenue
Bradford Moor,
28th May
9 residents attended.
Cllr Khaliq present.
Both POs provide valuable service for
elderly. Area coordinator asked to send
an objection letter to POL
Not an agenda
item. Info on
BD18 website
and in Local
Information
Sheets
St Paul’s is less than one mile from two
other post offices.
Closure not seen by residents as
significant.
& 812 Leeds
Road
St Paul’s Road,
Shipley
No
POST OFFICES PLANNED FOR CLOSURE
Chellow Dene, 1-3 Pearson Lane, BD9 6BB
St Pauls Road, 51 Bradford Road, Shipley, BD18 3DS
5
Appendix 2
Results of neighbourhood forum consultations on post office restructuring, Bradford, with comments on access at
alternative branches May/June 2008
City Road, 104 City Road BD8 8JT
Ashbourne Estate, 1041 Bolton Road, BD2 4NL
Duckworth Lane 60 Duckworth Lane BD9 5HA
Woodhall Avenue, 1 Woodhall Avenue BD3 7BY
Leaventhorpe, 1009 Thornton Road, BD8 0PA
Wibsey, 96 High Street, BD6 1NB
Leeds Road, 812 Leeds Road, BD3 9TY
Manningham , 14-18 Green Lane, BD8 7SP
Undercliffe, 10 Harrogate Road BD2 3DU
6
Appendix 3
Simple data profile of neighbourhoods with a sub post office identified
for closure
Post Office: Ashbourne Estate
Community profile
%
Bradford Average %
Over 65’s
14.6
14.5
Households without cars
35
26.8
Living in rented housing
28.3
28.9
Income support
5.1
4.7
Job seekers allowance
5.5
4.5
Post Office: Leeds Road
Community profile
%
Bradford Average %
Over 65’s
10.4
14.5
Households without cars
49.2
26.8
Living in rented housing
42.0
28.9
Income support
8.0
4.7
Job seekers allowance
11.3
4.5
Post Office: Undercliffe
Community profile
%
Bradford Average %
Over 65’s
13.1
14.5
Households without cars
37.1
26.8
Living in rented housing
28.7
28.9
Income support
5.7
4.7
Job seekers allowance
6.6
4.5
1
Appendix 3
Simple data profile of neighbourhoods with a sub post office identified
for closure
Post Office: Woodhall Avenue
Community profile
%
Bradford Average %
Over 65’s
10.0
14.5
Households without cars
43.6
26.8
Living in rented housing
36.6
28.9
Income support
7.6
4.7
Job seekers allowance
9.5
4.5
Post Office: Wibsey
Community profile
%
Bradford Average %
Over 65’s
14.3
14.5
Households without cars
37.0
26.8
Living in rented housing
28.1
28.9
Income support
5.4
4.7
Job seekers allowance
5.2
4.5
Post Office: Chellow Dene
Community profile
%
Bradford Average %
Over 65’s
12.7
14.5
Households without cars
34.8
26.8
Living in rented housing
29.4
28.9
Income support
6.3
4.7
Job seekers allowance
6.0
4.5
2
Appendix 3
Simple data profile of neighbourhoods with a sub post office identified
for closure
Post Office: City Road
Community profile
%
Bradford Average %
Over 65’s
8.3
14.5
Households without cars
48.9
26.8
Living in rented housing
45.4
28.9
Income support
7.3
4.7
Job seekers allowance
11.6
4.5
Post Office: Duckworth Lane
Community profile
%
Bradford Average %
Over 65’s
11.4
14.5
Households without cars
37.5
26.8
Living in rented housing
30.5
28.9
Income support
6.4
4.7
Job seekers allowance
8.2
4.5
Post Office: Leaventhorpe
Community profile
%
Bradford Average %
Over 65’s
14.3
14.5
Households without cars
35.7
26.8
Living in rented housing
30.5
28.9
Income support
6.2
4.7
Job seekers allowance
5.0
4.5
3
Appendix 3
Simple data profile of neighbourhoods with a sub post office identified
for closure
Post Office: Manningham
Community profile
%
Bradford Average %
Over 65’s
9.4
14.5
Households without cars
48.3
26.8
Living in rented housing
44.7
28.9
Income support
7.5
4.7
Job seekers allowance
11.6
4.5
Post Office: St Paul’s road
Community profile
%
Bradford Average %
Over 65’s
17.3
14.5
Households without cars
36.2
26.8
Living in rented housing
31.5
28.9
Income support
4.6
4.7
Job seekers allowance
4.9
4.5
4