Lib Dems get action on Post Office closures

3.59.06pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 15th Oct 2007

Lib Dems have pushed for action against Post Office closures

Local Lib Dems were delighted after a decision 'called in' by Councillor Owen Jeffery to the Council's Overview & Scrutiny Commission (O&SC) has forced the Council's Conservatives to think again on a report about West Berkshire's proposed Post Office closures.

The report, which came to a meeting of the Tory Executive in September, simply proposed 'noting' the planned closure 2500 Post Offices nationally and of 4 to 7 Post Offices in West Berkshire. The lack of action on this important issue infuriated the Council's Lib Dem Group, who promptly 'called in' the Conservatives' decision, demanding positive action be taken.

Councillor Owen Jeffery, who led the call in, explained the outcomes of the O&SC meeting:

"The recommendations include asking the Executive to write a letter opposing the closure programme and highlighting the flawed consultation process to the Post Office Board, Government Minister and Local Government Association. Additionally we have asked the Executive to urge the members of the public, the Chamber of Commerce, Town Councils and Parish Councils to write to West Berkshire Council with their views on the consultation process. This action is much more constructive - left to their own devices the Tories would simply have sat back and let our Post Offices close around us."