Issue - meetings

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on Monday 23 July 2012.

The minutes of the meeting held on Monday 23 July 2012 were approved as a correct record.

NOTED the response to the action under minute OSCO 137 –

In response to whether an options appraisal had been carried out for the provision of front line services through post offices, the Leader confirmed that Lyn Garner – Director of Place and Sustainability – would be able to provide an update, following a meeting that she had attended.  ACTION:  Director of Place and Sustainability

The Post Office’s national modernisation programme will be taking place over the next three years. There is a £1.34 billion investment package associated with the programme which will see up to 6,000 branches converted into new formats. There is no programme of branch closures, the modernisation plan is centred on two new models:

·        The main model will see many larger branches refreshed with open plan counters, new technology such as assisted self-service, longer opening hours and special services for small businesses.

·        The local model will see Post Office services offered on the retail counter, rather than from a dedicated Post Office counter. The local model is more economical for sub postmasters to run and usually means services are available for much longer hours.

In Haringey there are currently 18 Post Offices. Five are ‘Crown’ Post Offices, run directly by Post Office Ltd with direct employees. The remainder ‘Independently Run’ Post Offices operated under a number of different models. The five ‘Crown’ Post Offices are located at: Wood Green; Crouch End; Harringay Green Lanes; Muswell Hill; Finsbury Park.

The Post Office has contacted all branches in Haringey to offer three alternatives:

a) No change (branch stays as it currently is);

b) Modernise (fully funded in return for a switch to a new variable contract with the Post Office);

c) Leave the Post Office branch network (18 months’ severance payment, with the Post Office seeking to identify alternative provision).

The offer runs for three years. Council officers are in dialogue with colleagues from the Post Office about opportunities to join up service provision and deliver in partnership at locations where it makes sense to do so.