Thousands of people who have signed petitions against post office closures could be ignored, it has been claimed.
As consultations on 49 threatened branches in Sussex came to a close on Christmas eve, it emerged that each petition could be counted as just one letter of opposition.
David Lepper, the MP for Brighton Pavilion, said the decision was an insult to the thousands who had put their names to petitions and has written to Post Office Ltd asking for clarification.
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The Argus contacted the company to ask whether the allegation was true but a spokesman refused to confirm or deny it.
He said: "We would encourage people to write explaining reasons why a post office should stay open.
"We will be looking at the range of representations made to us."
As part of his fight to save Brighton's post offices Mr Lepper has presented a 1,540 signature petition about Elm Grove post office, a petition with 1,120 signatures about the 221 Preston Road branch and a petition with 1,370 signatures about 13 Preston Road.
A further 750 people have signed a Green party petition to save Trafalgar Street post office.
But despite the 4,780 names collected to fight the closure of these branches, Post Office Ltd looks likely to record these as just four objections.
Mr Lepper was informed of the problem after a post office representative told people at a meeting earlier this month in Brighton each petition would count as one objection.
He said: "I hope that is a misunderstanding. That people are willing to sign a petition is a sign of their concern and signatures and addresses on a petition should be taken as responses as part of the consultation in the terms of the petition from each individual signatory.
"There is no indication in the consultation leaflets from the Post Office Ltd that petitions would be considered as just one objection - indeed to do so would be an insult to all those who have taken the trouble to sign a petition and seriously call into question the whole basis of the consultation exercise.
"It makes a mockery of the whole ides of consultation if they are saying that these 4,000 people, who have bothered to sing up to a petition setting out particular reasons why their post office should not close, will not be counted."
Mr Lepper has also branded the report produced by the management of Post Office Ltd for closures in his constituency as "a shoddy, careless and inaccurate piece of work."
Councillor Ian Davey has presented the Trafalgar Street petition to watchdog Postwatch.
He said: "This post office like many others is a vital part of the local residential and business community. To close it would be a devastating blow to both."
This is very strange. This Green Cllr Ian Davey can collect a petition against a lap dancing club he lives next door to, but can't be bothered to collect a petition for Richardson Road Post Office, which is just round the corner and closer than the Trafalgar Rd Post Office. Perhaps he uses that one in Brighton and not the one the local community he was fighting for just last week actually uses?
This is very strange. This Green Cllr Ian Davey can collect a petition against a lap dancing club he lives next door to, but can't be bothered to collect a petition for Richardson Road Post Office, which is just round the corner and closer than the Trafalgar Rd Post Office. Perhaps he uses that one in Brighton and not the one the local community he was fighting for just last week actually uses?
It doesn't matter how many objections they count the petitions as, since they will undoubtedly close whichever post office branches they wish. The whole consultation exercise is just a procedural farce which will make no difference whatsoever. This government has already decided it will slash our public services by putting them at arms length to sate their free market european masters and we as good european citizens should just shut up and stop whinging.
It doesn't matter how many objections they count the petitions as, since they will undoubtedly close whichever post office branches they wish. The whole consultation exercise is just a procedural farce which will make no difference whatsoever. This government has already decided it will slash our public services by putting them at arms length to sate their free market european masters and we as good european citizens should just shut up and stop whinging.
Posted by: Reigna Mitchell, Peacehaven on 9:08am Thu 27 Dec 07
It has been common knowledge for years that it doesn't matter how many names there are on a petition, be it 10 or 100,000 it is one signiture and more than likely be ignored. The best way is for you to , yes, sign a petition, but back it up with a seperate letter. Usually the organiser of a petition will photocopy 100's of letters and pass them out as people sign. They are then posted to the relevant officer.
Hope this helps.
It has been common knowledge for years that it doesn't matter how many names there are on a petition, be it 10 or 100,000 it is one signiture and more than likely be ignored. The best way is for you to , yes, sign a petition, but back it up with a seperate letter. Usually the organiser of a petition will photocopy 100's of letters and pass them out as people sign. They are then posted to the relevant officer.
Post office petitions could be ignored by bosses!! AND WHAT A GOOD IDEA, it is a total waste of time, this is the 21st century, get over it and stop moaning!
Post office petitions could be ignored by bosses!! AND WHAT A GOOD IDEA, it is a total waste of time, this is the 21st century, get over it and stop moaning!
Posted by: Gentleman Jim, Brighton on 5:57pm Thu 27 Dec 07
The petitions will be ignored,not could.We had our busy local post Office closed despite petitions,this resulted in more customers for the remaining offices yet some of these are now due for closure.
Why do we see TV adverts trying to persuade us to use the Post Office for Loans/Currency etc when closures are still taking place.
Imagine the queue taking place while a customer at a one position office is discussing the question of taking out a Broadband service?
The petitions will be ignored,not could.We had our busy local post Office closed despite petitions,this resulted in more customers for the remaining offices yet some of these are now due for closure.
Why do we see TV adverts trying to persuade us to use the Post Office for Loans/Currency etc when closures are still taking place.
Imagine the queue taking place while a customer at a one position office is discussing the question of taking out a Broadband service?
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