Greens call for more Council Support for Post Offices

6th June 2007

The Green Party is calling for the Council to use its influence to help save local Post Offices in the city. At the full council meeting today, the Greens will be putting an amendment to a Lib Dem motion condemning the Government's plans to close at least 2,500 across the UK.
The Green amendment will ask the Chief Executive to examine recommendations made in a report by the New Economics Foundation, which was commissioned by Manchester City Council to look at the impact of Post Office cuts on local communities.

Cllr Bernard Little said, "The presence of a Post Office often means that the whole parade of shops will thrive. They are heavily used by small business and social enterprises. So they are vital for the community and local economy, especially in disadvantaged areas.

"The policy of closing 'uneconomic' Post Offices may look like an issue where Central Government has the final say. But the Council is a major customer of the Post Office, through the payment of benefits, the receipt of council tax and other services.

"Post Offices make a big contribution to local money flows, financial inclusion and regeneration. It's the responsibility of local governments to try and protect them."

The Greens even want the layout of the council chamber to be arranged more democratically, in a horseshoe like a “Senate” instead of a “Victorian classroom”, with everyone in rows facing the front . The idea is to encourage more respect and discussion. They also want tighter deadlines on items to be debated so that more issues can be discussed.

“With the political parties now finely balanced in terms of numbers of councillors, Full Council is vital to the decision making process. This should be the place where we are, and are seen to be, at our best.”

ENDS

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