18 June  2008

MP PRESENTS POST OFFICE PETITION TO PARLIAMENT

Last night (Tuesday) Stafford’s Labour MP David Kidney presented to the House of Commons a petition signed by 578 people calling for the Great Bridgeford Post Office to be kept open. This village post office is threatened with closure under Post Office Ltd’s Area Plan for future post office services in Shropshire and Staffordshire.

David Kidney says petitioning Parliament is an important democratic tool and he is pleased to be able to help support all those people who signed this petition and those who worked hard to collect the signatures:

“Councillors Winnington and Sutherland sent me the petition and asked me to use it to the best effect. That is why I presented the petition to the House of Commons last night. I also wrote in support of the petitioners to the Minister for Post Offices, Pat MacFadden MP.

“As part of my own response to the consultation, I have written to Post Office Ltd., Postwatch and the Minister. Support for the post office from residents of the village and surrounding areas has been tremendous and it is arguable that this support could be translated into higher levels of custom for the post office and its shop. I also point out in my arguments that it would be unhealthy for the village to lose its post office if this then threatens the viability of the shop, which is the last retail outlet in the village.

“One last factor that I have drawn attention to is the change in status of Derrington Post Office. I am pleased that the parish council and village hall committee rallied round to offer a part-time post office service in the village hall there following the postmaster’s decision to close. But this means that one of the alternative services Post Office Ltd suggest for Great Bridgeford residents to use is not now the same as the consultation document expected.”

 
An extract of the Hansard record of the presentation of the petition.

PETITION    Post Office Closures (Staffordshire)
10.27 pm
Mr. David Kidney (Stafford) (Lab): Some 578 people who live in or near the village of Great Bridgeford near Stafford have signed this petition to save their post office from closure as part of a community-wide campaign to keep the post office as part of their community.
The petition states:
The Petition of residents of the village of Great Bridgeford in the Parish of Seighford and surrounding areas in the county of Stafford against the closure of their rural post office,
Declares that the supporters recognise the importance of the post office and shop to their community, which they depend on as the only retail outlet in the village of Great Bridgeford, and oppose the current closure plan.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform to instruct Post Office Ltd. to keep Great Bridgeford post office open.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.
17 Jun 2008 : Column 918