County Council Cabinet to hear of Post Office future

On Tuesday 20th May, Cumbria County Council's Cabinet will receive a presentation from representatives of the Royal Mail and Post Office Ltd. regarding their Urban Network Reinvention Programme. The presentation will cover the Post Office proposals to restructure its network of urban post offices, seen as vital to their long-term future, proposals that could see the merger and closure of some offices. The protection of local services is a priority for the County Council as Council Leader Rex Toft explains: 

"I am pleased that the Royal Mail and Post Office are coming to explain their plans to Cabinet. It's an important debate as local Post Offices provide a range of much valued local services for our local communities throughout the County. Vulnerable people particularly require the benefit of a local Post Office near to where they live. 

As a Council we do not want to see a reduction or removal of any local service, however it seems that a programme of rationalisation is planned, based around commercial viability. Whilst commercial pressures have to be taken into account we need to be convinced that the plans will protect local services as far as is possible. We would like to discuss with representatives of the Royal Mail and Post Office Limited whether there are any prospects of joint working to avoid closures."