Members considered the recent announcements made by Post Office Ltd to make changes to 42 of its 314 directly-managed Crown Post Offices as part of its network modernisation programme. The Lead Member explained that the council was concerned as the Post Office Ltd. was looking for a franchisee to takeover the service and this could lead to relocation and a lower level of service. A number of franchises were operated from WH Smith stores; in Maidenhead WH Smiths had recently moved to a smaller premises therefore this option would be difficult. The tendering process would last 28 days and would be followed by a six week consultation.

The Lead Member proposed an additional recommendation that the Leader of the Council be asked to write to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) to highlight the council’s concerns.

The Principal Member highlighted that the services of a Crown Post Office included identity and licence checks, document checks and services for drivers such as photocard renewal. It had yet to be discovered how far Maidenhead residents would have to travel for these services if lost in the High Street. She highlighted the e-petition that was currently open for signatures (http://petitions.rbwm.gov.uk/Post-Office/) and the opportunity for residents to contact the Post Office with their views on comments@postoffice.co.uk.

The Lead Member explained that the upper levels of the building were offices, however the ground floor was leased to the Post Office Ltd. A franchisee operator would be unlikely to operate from the same location. The Communication Workers Union had written to the Lead Member to express their concerns about access for the elderly or disabled at any new location.

Councillor Brimacombe urged the Post Office to be more transparent; it had not made information available to the council in relation to the reasons for its proposal.

The Principal Member highlighted that the regeneration of the town would increase activity in the town centre and she therefore found it a bizarre decision by the Post Office.

The Leader agreed to write to the Secretary of State to highlight the issues of concern about location, service and transparency. As the Post Office was owned by the government it was important the public was aware of what was happening with public assets. The council would publicise the letter. He had already written directly to the Post Office, as had the local MP.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Cabinet agrees:

i.    Post Office Ltd should be requested to provide assurances that the level and quality of existing services available to the local residents and businesses of Maidenhead will not be reduced.

ii.   Post Office Ltd should be requested to outline what would happen in the event that a franchise partner could not be found.

iii.                   That the Council publicises the opportunities available to residents and businesses to express their views on the proposed planned changes to the branch.

iv.                   That the Leader of the Council be asked to write to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills making representations from the Royal Borough Cabinet.