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Published:
July 8. 2008
Burnham-On-Sea MP expresses fears for future of local post offices
Burnham-On-Sea's
MP has this week expressed his fears for the future of post offices
in our area if post office card accounts are scrapped.
David
Heathcoat-Amory visited two post offices in the Burnham area,
just days after the government announced the closures of nine
more post offices in the Wells Constituency.
The
MP said he is "very concerned" about the viability of
those that remain, particularly if there are changes to the post
office card account, which enables people to draw pensions and
benefits from offices.
 Mr
Heathcoat-Amory told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "I visited two post
offices in the Burnham and Highbridge area in order to support
their campaign to retain the post office card account, which is
vital for their business and allows people without bank accounts
to obtain their cash."
"Many
people, particularly pensioners, want to collect their cash at
the post office in person. The accounts are a good way to do this
and this is now under threat. Also, such visits by local people
are very important to keep the rest of the post office open."
The
MP met with Sub-Postmaster Thomas Hanlon, Sedgemoor District Councillor
Diana Bayliss and Chairperson of the Parish Council Eileen Corkish
at Mark Post Office.
Mr
Hanlon told the MP that he is "disgusted" to hear the
Government may remove the Post Office Card Account from local
post offices. He said that at present 250 people in the village
have a post office card account.
Mr
Heathcoat-Amory later visited Sub-Postmistress Caroline Chennells
at Brent Knoll Post Office, who told the MP that people of all
ages use the accounts, and it is these cards that keep many post
offices open.
"The
overriding factor at both meetings was the grave concerns shared
by all of those present regarding the long-term effect, not only
on the post offices, but on village communities in general,"
said the MP.
"There
is also growing concern that people are being left with no choice
other than having their pensions and benefits paid into a bank
account."
The
government is considering scrapping post office card accounts
as part of a modernisation and cost-cutting exercise.
Pictured
above is MP David Heathcoat-Amory at Mark Post Office with Councillor
Diana Bayliss, Sub-Postmaster Thomas Hanlon and Chairperson of
Mark Parish Council, Eileen Corkish; and (beneath) the MP with
Brent Knoll Sub-Postmistress Caroline Chennells
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