Archived decisions

Contact: Kelvin Ridout - Ext: 7356

1. Summary

1.1. The following decision is sought.

To appoint a Councillor P.A. Pierce onto the Hampshire, Isle of Wight and West Sussex Panel of the South and South-West Post Watch Committee until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2005.

2. Reason

2.1. The County Council has received an invitation to be represented on the Hampshire, Isle of Wight and West Sussex Panel of the South and South-West Post Watch Committee. The aim of the Panel is to serve the public's interest in respect of Royal Mail letters, Counters and Parcel Force Services and additionally to oversee the competitors as they enter postal services.

2.2. At present the Post Office has a universal obligation to deliver to all parts of the United Kingdom at a fixed tariff. However, in future a number of questions will need to be answered eg. what subsidies will be required if profitable areas are to be creamed-off? As well as considering such questions, the Panel will be seeking better delivery schedules for 1^st and 2^nd class mail, extra services for the Post Offices with better public access to new technologies etc.

2.3. The Panel is presently represented by the Director of Age Concern, Hampshire Womans Institute; Citizens Advice Bureau; a Committee Chairman from Portsmouth City Council, a senior member of staff from Southampton City Council, a Justice of the Peace from the Isle of Wight, a Trading Standards Officer from West Sussex District Council and a senior representative from the Trustees Savings Bank in Andover.

2.4. The Panel is to meet in different locations around the region 4 times per year with occasional site visits. Travel and subsistence is to be paid to its Members.

2.5. The Head of Economic Development has been consulted and, given the importance of Post Offices to the community and rural areas in particular, he considers that the County Council might usefully be represented on the Panel by a Member.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected - No representation

4. Conflicts of Interest declared by the Decision Maker or a Member or Officer Consulted - Not Applicable.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reasons for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: .............................. Date of Decision .........................

Councillor T.K. Thornber

5aR471001