Agenda item

This Council notes with alarm the speed with which the privatisation of Royal Mail was implemented and the potential risk that may now pose to jobs and post offices in Leeds.

Members remain deeply concerned that the financial undervaluing of the organisation has denied the Government much needed capital funds at a time of hugely damaging budget cuts elsewhere in the public sector.

The rush to privatise the organisation has irreparably damaged industrial relations and risks residents and businesses receiving a poorer service at increased cost.

Council remains concerned that our local communities, particularly in rural areas, could see post offices close and the current 6 days-a-week universal service under threat. 

Council requests that the Chief Executive writes to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and to all Leeds MPs to make its concerns clear.

It was moved by Councillor G Hyde, seconded by Councillor Nash that this Council notes with alarm the speed with which the privatisation of Royal Mail was implemented and the potential risk that may now pose to jobs and post offices in Leeds.

Members remain deeply concerned that the financial undervaluing of the organisation has denied the Government much needed capital funds at a time of hugely damaging budget cuts elsewhere in the public sector.

The rush to privatise the organisation has irreparably damaged industrial relations and risks residents and businesses receiving a poorer service at increased cost.

Council remains concerned that our local communities, particularly in rural areas, could see post offices close and the current 6 days-a-week universal service under threat. 

Council requests that the Chief Executive writes to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and to all Leeds MPs to make its concerns clear.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Campbell, seconded by Councillor Chapman

Delete all after “This Council notes” and replace with

“that the Royal Mail has now been separated from the Post Office Ltd, who have now been given a secure future thanks to a £1.3 billion support package from the coalition government.

Council notes that over 7,000 post offices closed under the previous government and welcomes the secure future that the coalition government has provided for both the Royal Mail and Post Office Ltd.  In particular council welcomes the commitment by Government that there will be no more Post Office closure programmes, and particular welcomes new investment in upgrading and refurbishing local post offices in areas across Leeds.

Council regrets that the current administration voted down proposals for the Council to support local post offices, through negotiations with Post Office Ltd to use the network of sub post offices across our community to deliver council services, in April 2011.”

A second amendment was moved by Councillor Lamb, seconded by Councillor Cohen

Delete all after ‘This Council notes’ and replace with:

‘the recent steps to privatise the Royal Mail and welcomes the revenue this will generate for the public purse.

This Council further notes that the sale of Royal Mail is the final act in a reform programme initiated by the last Government in 2008 and as such is the culmination of work by successive governments of all political persuasions.

This Council is committed to supporting a first rate mail service for residents of Leeds and is re-assured by the protection currently offered to a 6 day postal service in Leeds through statute in the Postal Services Act (2011). Council also supports the continued Government involvement in the ownership of Post Offices and notes the record number of Post Office closures carried out by the last Labour Government.

This Council requests regular updates to be brought to the Resources and Council Services Scrutiny Board to ensure that communities in Leeds continue to have access to Post Office branches and a quality postal service. Where this is not the case the Council commits to supporting any efforts to restore or improve valued local services.’

Amended motion would read:

‘This Council notes the recent steps to privatise the Royal Mail and welcomes the revenue this will generate for the public purse.

This Council further notes that the sale of Royal Mail is the final act in a reform programme initiated by the last Government in 2008 and as such is the culmination of work by successive governments of all political persuasions.

This Council is committed to supporting a first rate mail service for residents of Leeds and is re-assured by the protection currently offered to a 6 day postal service in Leeds through statute in the Postal Services Act (2011). Council also supports the continued Government involvement in the ownership of Post Offices and notes the record number of Post Office closures carried out by the last Labour Government.

This Council requests regular updates to be brought to the Resources and Council Services Scrutiny Board to ensure that communities in Leeds continue to have access to Post Office branches and a quality postal service. Where this is not the case the Council commits to supporting any efforts to restore or improve valued local services.’

The amendments were declared lost and , upon being put to the vote, it was

RESOLVED -   Thatthis Council notes with alarm the speed with which the privatisation of Royal Mail was implemented and the potential risk that may now pose to jobs and post offices in Leeds.

Members remain deeply concerned that the financial undervaluing of the organisation has denied the Government much needed capital funds at a time of hugely damaging budget cuts elsewhere in the public sector.

The rush to privatise the organisation has irreparably damaged industrial relations and risks residents and businesses receiving a poorer service at increased cost.

Council remains concerned that our local communities, particularly in rural areas, could see post offices close and the current 6 days-a-week universal service under threat. 

Council requests that the Chief Executive writes to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and to all Leeds MPs to make its concerns clear.