Lib Dem deputy is latest to join call for action.
A local Lib Dem councillor has called on the leader of Milton Keynes City Council to take urgent action to prevent the closure of the city centre’s post office.
Paul Trendall, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, has urged Pete Marland, the city council’s head, to take firm action opposing the plans. The Midsummer Boulevard branch is at risk of shutdown, which would leave elderly and vulnerable residents without access to vital postal and financial services.
The move comes after the Post Office announced plans to consider closing 115 branches across the country last month as the organisation’s new chairman Nigel Railton set out a five-year transformation strategy.
It will affect post offices wholly owned by Post Office Limited and includes the branch in Central Milton Keynes in the plans.
“The post office is a lifeline for thousands of residents across the city and it is extremely worrying to hear of the planned closure,” said Cllr Trendall. “Dozens of people rely on its services every day to withdraw cash or to pay bills. The closure of this branch will negatively impact those who do not have access to online services, especially elderly and vulnerable residents.”
The city council’s leader will now write to the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Employment Relations and Consumer Affairs, and the Chair of the Post Office urging them to reconsider the closure.
As well Mr Marland’s input, the formal letter will also be signed by the Mayor and the leaders of both opposition groups to demonstrate cross-party support and unified opposition to the plans.
“This is about listening to residents and supporting our communities,” said Councillor Jane Carr, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group.
“This is not about political point scoring. By calling for cross-party support, we send a strong message to the Government and the Post Office that Lib Dem councillors will not stand by whilst essential services are put at risk. We want to save our local post office and ensure that communities across the city are not left without vital services that so many people rely on.”
The city’s councillors and dignitaries also have the backing of the CWU communications union, who have slammed the closure announcements.
“The Post Office is a key part of the national infrastructure,” said Dave Ward, CWU General Secretary. “It keeps communities connected, is a lifeline to the elderly and most vulnerable in society and should be the shop front for so many government services.
“It seems the Post Office has learned no lessons from its chaotic and uncoordinated mistakes of the past. We call on them to immediately halt these planned closures and the attached consultations which have historically been nothing but playing lip service and engage with the CWU on protecting jobs and services.”
