Motion to the Bridgend County Borough Council on the Closure of 115 Crown Post Offices and the Risk of 1,000 Job Losses

Motion:

This Council notes:

The recent announcement by Post Office Ltd / the UK Government to close 115 Crown Post Offices across the country, which puts at risk the jobs of approximately 1,000 workers in the postal sector.

The vital role that Crown Post Offices play in many communities, particularly in rural and deprived urban areas, where they provide essential services such as postal services, banking, bill payments, and access to government services.

The significant and adverse social and economic impact these closures will have, not only on the workers facing redundancy and loss of jobs, but also on the communities that rely on the public services provided by these Crown Post Offices and the erosion of those services in communities already facing challenges.

The longstanding history of Crown Post Offices as a key part of the national infrastructure, providing high-quality, accessible services to the public and employing skilled workers.

This Council believes:

That the closure of these Crown Post Offices is an unwarranted attack on public services, jobs, and the communities that depend on them.

That the loss of 1,000 jobs in the postal sector will have a significant impact on families, communities, and local economies, and will contribute to rising unemployment and social inequality in already disadvantaged areas.

That the government and postal management have failed to adequately invest in the Crown Post Office network and have not provided sufficient justification for the proposed closures, which seem to be driven by profit motives rather than the public good.

That these closures form part of a wider, worrying trend towards the privatisation and outsourcing of essential public services, which undermines the principle of public accountability and reduces the quality of, and potentially the range of services provided to the public.

Resolves:

To express this Council’s strong opposition to the proposed closure of 115 Crown Post Offices and to formally call on Post Office Ltd / the UK Government to halt the closure programme immediately.

To support the workers affected by the potential loss of 1,000 jobs, including offering solidarity to trade unions and local organisations campaigning to save the Crown Post Offices.

To work with other local authorities, unions, and community groups to raise awareness of the negative impact these closures will have and to mobilise public opposition to the proposals.

To call on the UK Government and [Post Office Ltd] to ensure that any future plans for Crown Post Offices are properly consulted on and that the interests of both workers and the communities they serve are fully considered.

To invite representatives from [Post Office Ltd] to meet with the Council to discuss these closures and explore alternative solutions that would secure the future of the Crown Post Office network, protect jobs, and continue to provide essential services to the public.

Further resolves:

To issue a formal letter of protest to Post Office Ltd and the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, expressing the Council’s concern over the proposed closures and urging a reconsideration of the decision.

To encourage local residents to engage in the consultation process and to support campaigns aimed at preventing the closure of Crown Post Offices.

To offer assistance to Bridgend Crown Post Office workers facing redundancy, including providing access to training, employment support, and job-retraining initiatives.