Consultations

�

SDEF

The Scottish Disability Equality Forum works for social inclusion in Scotland through the removal of barriers and the promotion of equal access for people affected by disability.

It is a membership organisation, representing individuals with any type of impairment, disability organisations and groups who share its values. It aims to ensure the voices of people affected by disability are heard and heeded.

SDEF promotes access in its widest sense: access to the built and natural environment and access to the same opportunities as are enjoyed by other people in our community. It takes a broad definition of access, within which it focuses on access to the environment and access to information and mechanisms promoting two-way communications. It campaigns to improve access in these areas and seeks to become a free source of high quality information on them.

�

Post Office Network Consultation

Although the present situation of an unplanned and inefficient Post Office network is difficult to sustain SDEF has a number of concerns over the proposed changes.

The consultation recognises the important part Post Offices play in communities and the wide social benefits they provide to isolated and disadvantaged members of society. The Post Office network is a vital service to our members, many of whom experience difficulty accessing services in general for a variety of reasons including physical barriers, lack of support and poor transport infrastructure. Changes made to Post Office service provision should take account of their needs and be informed by the various user groups.

The majority of the population receiving disability-related benefits live in areas that suffer from deprivation and do not have good service provision in terms of shops, banks and chemists etc.

Post Offices have an important role in providing access to money, particularly in rural areas where banking facilities do not exist. Changes to service provision must take into account the availability of these services elsewhere. Closure should be avoided where the Post Office is the last shop in the area/village.

The Post Office network should meet the needs of the communities in which it is based and local people should be consulted over closures or changes in service delivery. The consultation process should be carried out so that all those in the community can participate and should accommodate those with issues of physical access and support needs. Meeting times should reflect the activities of the population and ensure that community members are not excluded due to inflexible timing. Timescales must not have arbitrary cut off points that exclude peoples’ views from being heard.

Services must be accessible to those with disabilities and this should be taken into account when changing the way the service is delivered, for example mobile Post Offices, or the move of services to other locations such as public houses. Door-to-Door services should not replace the opportunities for social interaction that a visit to the Post Office provides.

Opening times should serve the wider community. Lack of business may reflect the fact that services are not always available when people want to use them

SDEF is concerned that, according to Postwatch, 37 of the 38 postcode exempt areas for access criteria are in Scotland. Argyll and Bute, for example, could lose 25% of its Post Offices. Many members live in remote rural areas where public transport to services in other areas is inaccessible or not available.

Access should not be defined as distance traveled but should take into consideration links with public transport, travel time the needs of those with mobility problems and fuel pricing in rural areas.

Will closures result in poorer service in remaining Post Offices that will have to meet the resulting rise in demand?

If Post Offices are franchised what steps will be taken to ensure provision in areas where no-one is willing to take up this business? The Government must provide support so that areas are not left devoid of services. A planned strategic approach to the network as a whole needs to be taken to ensure an equitable, accessible and reliable service.

�

�

�

�

Liz Rowlett

Scottish Disability Equality Forum

12 Enterprise House

Springkerse Business Park

Stirling

FK7 7UF

01786 446456

� Copyright Scottish Disability Equality Forum 2003-2007

�

�

<back>