Opposition Liberal democrats have condemned plans for the Scrutiny of Post Office closures. Liberal Democrats had put the case to the Scrutiny Chair that those responsible for the closure programme should be invited to attend the meeting of September 2nd to answer questions. Deputy Leader Cllr John Leech said, "The Labour Chair of the Finance Scrutiny Committee is attempting to sweep the issue of Post Office Closures under the carpet by refusing to invite the Post Office Minister and Eddie Herbert of the Post Office to answer questions over the proposed closures. Councillors want the chance to challenge their decisions and get some answers."
Cllr Bernard Priest has refused to invite the 2 people responsible for the proposed closures because "we don't have the power to do it" (quote from Cllr Priest email). Cllr Leech said, "If Cllr Priest hasn't got the power to invite people to attend a Scrutiny Committee he shouldn't be in the job wasting Council Taxpayers money. It's quite disgraceful that he is prepared to let his own Labour minister off the hook in this way. I accept that they cannot be forced to attend, but it is essential that they are invited so that local members can question the logic behind closing profitable local services that are at the heart of the local Community."
Cllr David Sandiford, the Liberal Democrat Spokesperson on the Finance Scrutiny Committee said, "The Liberal Democrat members of the Committee wanted the opportunity to challenge the arguments for closing our local Post offices. If I had been the Chair of the Committee those responsible would have been the first people to be invited to attend the meeting."
Cllr Leech and Cllr Sandiford have now written to the Post Office minister and to Eddie Herbert to invite them to attend. Cllr Leech said, "We are challenging those responsible to come and justify their decisions. The Labour Party are not prepared to challenge the decisions of their own Labour Government, but the Liberal Democrats certainly are. It remains to be seen whether they are up to that challenge."
Ends
For further information please contact Cllr John Leech on 07753 659 487 or 234 3002
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