An article about the impact the closure of Carrington Post Office has had on the local community can be viewed here: http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/news/Council-act-city-post-offices-campaigners/article-446199-detail/article.html
A letter about the campaign still going strong after a year of campaigning: http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/news/Letter-Save-Notts-Post-Offices/article-415897-detail/article.html
Two short items about the recent demonstration outside the Council House: http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/news/BRING-POST-OFFICES-APPEAL/article-403773-detail/article.html
http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/news/Post-Office-campaigners-protest-Council-House/article-402744-detail/article.html
A letter hoping that Nottingham City Council will find a way to reopen the Post Offices:
http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/news/Letter-Fighting-Post-Offices/article-357783-detail/article.html
An article about PostWatch's promise to assess disabled access at Sherwood Post Office - something that we don't think has been done!
http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/news/PostWatch-assess-disabled-access-Sherwood-Post-Office/article-356528-detail/article.html
Wednesday 5 November 2008
Council Progress Update Meeting - Wed 12 November 2008
Nottingham City Council Leader, Jon Collins, and the consultant hired to look into reopening Carrington and New Lenton Post Offices, Cheryl Cooper, will join next week's weekly campaign meeting to update us on the progress they have made so far. The campaigners meet every Wednesday at 7.30pm at the Ukranian Centre on Mansfield Road, Carrington. Lifts can be arranged by emailing bekianderson@yahoo.co.uk or calling 07801 737445.
Please come along to the meeting if you have been affected by the closures and would like to show your support.
Please come along to the meeting if you have been affected by the closures and would like to show your support.
Council House Demo Video of Councillor Jon Collins
Following a successful demo outside the council house which attracted over 70 protestors, here is a video of Nottingham City Council Leader, Jon Collins, talking about Carrington and New Lenton Post Offices
Friday 10 October 2008
Demonstration outside Council House in Market Square - 15 October 2008
It's been a while since my last post, so you may think that things have gone quiet on the Post Office campaign front over the Summer holiday period. But, many of us are still meeting every Wednesday at 7.30pm at the Ukranian Centre on Mansfield Road and we have been working with the consultant that the Council has hired to look into the feasibility of reopening the Post Offices.
And we are now going to hold a demonstration outside the Council House to hand over the petition, show our support for the Council's investigations into reopening the Post Offices, and to show what strong community support there still is for Carrington and New Lenton Post Offices. We must keep the pressure up if we want to get our Post Offices back!
The demo will start at 2.30pm on Wednesday 15 October outside the Council House in Market Square [by the lions].
With the Pensioner's Action Group and Nottingham University's Student Union joining us, this demo promises to be our biggest yet so please do try to come along and show your support. If you are able to, please bring along your own placcards and any spare ones that others could use. The aim of the demo is to encourage the Council to do as much as they can and as quickly as possible to reopen our Post Offices.
We are having a planning meeting on Tuesday 14 October at 7.30pm at the Ukranian Centre - please try to attend if you are able to.
And we are now going to hold a demonstration outside the Council House to hand over the petition, show our support for the Council's investigations into reopening the Post Offices, and to show what strong community support there still is for Carrington and New Lenton Post Offices. We must keep the pressure up if we want to get our Post Offices back!
The demo will start at 2.30pm on Wednesday 15 October outside the Council House in Market Square [by the lions].
With the Pensioner's Action Group and Nottingham University's Student Union joining us, this demo promises to be our biggest yet so please do try to come along and show your support. If you are able to, please bring along your own placcards and any spare ones that others could use. The aim of the demo is to encourage the Council to do as much as they can and as quickly as possible to reopen our Post Offices.
We are having a planning meeting on Tuesday 14 October at 7.30pm at the Ukranian Centre - please try to attend if you are able to.
Tuesday 15 April 2008
Public Meeting - 15 April 2008
A second Public Meeting will be held where the Council will update the concerned supporters of Carrington and New Lenton Post Offices on the progress made since the first meeting on 18 March.
Public Meeting at 7.30pm Tuesday 15 April
St John’s Church, Carrington
Transport to/from New Lenton will be available. Please call 0115 985 7330 and leave your name, number, location and details of any mobility issues and you will be called back.
Rob Wadsworth, Council representative appointed to working with the Post Office campaigners and a representative for Alan Simpson, MP Nottingham South have confirmed attendance, while Councillor Jon Collins, Leader of Nottingham City Council and the relevant local Councillors have also been invited.
It is vital that we keep up the pressure on Post Office Ltd and the Council so please come along and show your support for our Post Offices.
Nottingham City Council’s Position
On 18 March, Councillor Jon Collins, Leader of Nottingham City Council addressed over 120 campaigners at St John’s Church, Carrington and promised to:
· Continue to oppose the closures and explore ways to maintain viability.
· Lobby Post Office Ltd to enter into dialogue with Nottingham City Council and prevent physical decommissioning of the branches.
· Work with the campaigners to see what the options are
· Personally look at options other Council’s are taking and assess their practicality for Nottingham.
· Talk with Phil Hope, Minister for the East Midlands, and local MPs.
· Research any applicable policies and funding and provide info on these to the campaign.
· Consider the possibility of providing a guarantee or bond of some kind, but not a subsidy nor upfront financial commitment to look at the accounts.
He agreed to be judged based on the number of local MPs that vote to suspend the closure programme and on the progress made within one month [between the first Public Meeting and this one].
Rob Wadsworth, Business Growth Manager, Economic Development Team was appointed as the Council’s main contact for the campaign and has subsequently met with some campaigners to discuss ways forward. The upshot of these will be communicated during the Public Meeting.
Please turn over…Please show your support for our Post Offices at at a Public Meeting at 7.30pm on Tuesday 15 April at St Johns Church, Carrington.
Public Meeting at 7.30pm Tuesday 15 April
St John’s Church, Carrington
Transport to/from New Lenton will be available. Please call 0115 985 7330 and leave your name, number, location and details of any mobility issues and you will be called back.
Rob Wadsworth, Council representative appointed to working with the Post Office campaigners and a representative for Alan Simpson, MP Nottingham South have confirmed attendance, while Councillor Jon Collins, Leader of Nottingham City Council and the relevant local Councillors have also been invited.
It is vital that we keep up the pressure on Post Office Ltd and the Council so please come along and show your support for our Post Offices.
Nottingham City Council’s Position
On 18 March, Councillor Jon Collins, Leader of Nottingham City Council addressed over 120 campaigners at St John’s Church, Carrington and promised to:
· Continue to oppose the closures and explore ways to maintain viability.
· Lobby Post Office Ltd to enter into dialogue with Nottingham City Council and prevent physical decommissioning of the branches.
· Work with the campaigners to see what the options are
· Personally look at options other Council’s are taking and assess their practicality for Nottingham.
· Talk with Phil Hope, Minister for the East Midlands, and local MPs.
· Research any applicable policies and funding and provide info on these to the campaign.
· Consider the possibility of providing a guarantee or bond of some kind, but not a subsidy nor upfront financial commitment to look at the accounts.
He agreed to be judged based on the number of local MPs that vote to suspend the closure programme and on the progress made within one month [between the first Public Meeting and this one].
Rob Wadsworth, Business Growth Manager, Economic Development Team was appointed as the Council’s main contact for the campaign and has subsequently met with some campaigners to discuss ways forward. The upshot of these will be communicated during the Public Meeting.
Please turn over…Please show your support for our Post Offices at at a Public Meeting at 7.30pm on Tuesday 15 April at St Johns Church, Carrington.
Tuesday 4 March 2008
Please lobby Nottingham City Council
We learned at tonight's council surgery with Councillor Penny Griggs that Nottingham City Council is currently considering whether or not to launch a judicial review. WE URGENTLY NEED THE COUNCIL TO MAKE ITS DECISION AND AT THE VERY LEAST SEEK A STAY OF EXECUTION FOR CARRINGTON AND NEW LENTON BRANCHES SO THAT WE HAVE MORE TIME TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION.
New Lenton is due to close this Friday, while Carrington is due to close next Tuesday. The tide of opinion is turning against the Post Office Ltd and it's closure programme but we must stay in the game while this is debated and the only way we can do this is with the full support and backing of Nottingham City Council.
Please urgently pick up the phone and/or email the three contacts below who are all key influencers in the council's decision. Essex, Lincolnshire and Kent County Councils are all launching judicial reviews so why not Nottingham which has been the worst hit?
Alan Clark, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Regeneration [apparently Alan has been tasked with making the decision]
T: 0115 915 5667
E: alan.clark@nottinghamcity.gov.uk
Jon Collins, Leader of Nottingham City Council [and Carrington resident!]
T: 0115 915 5038/915 5636
E: jon.collins@nottinghamcity.gov.uk
Michael Edwards, Deputy Leader of Nottingham City Council
T: 0115 915 5050
E: michael.edwards@nottinghamcity.gov.uk
WE NEED THE COUNCIL TO MAKE A DECISION AND ACT BEFORE FRIDAY! OR AT THE VERY LEAST OBTAIN AN INJUNCTION TO GET MORE TIME TO CONSIDER WHAT FURTHER ACTION TO TAKE.
Below are the key points from tonight's council surgery:
Judicial Review:
We strongly urged the council to launch a judicial review based on the unfair and irrational procedures and process enforced by Post Office Ltd. While we learned that the council is already considering whether or not to launch a judicial review, we only have days left before our branches close so the council absolutely has to make its decision by Thursday at the latest or at the very least obtain an injunction against the closures to obtain more time to consider this course of action.
Apparently the decision on whether or not to launch a judicial review has been referred to Alan Clark, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Regeneration, and our local councillors have lobbied for a judicial review. Councillor Griggs said that she had been told it was going to cost Essex around £1million to fund the branches so that they will remain open - this amount was queried and the Councillor said it was just a number that she had been told.
Councillor Griggs informed us that Jon Collins and Michael Edwards will also be influencial in the decision and gave us their contact details so that we can contact them directly to try to get a decision prior to the forthcoming closures. She agreed to contact Alan Clark, and Grant Butterworth, Head of Planning Transport and Intelligence Strategy and will get back in touch with us with any feedback / progress.
It was also discussed that the Council's legal department could get in touch with the campaign group to decide on which of the various arguments and information that we have gathered throughout the campaign would be relevant for a judicial review. Councillor Griggs said she would suggest this.
Thursday's Demo:
We informed Councillor Griggs about Thursday's demo outside the council house and she agreed that she would be present for it.
As a reminder to you, the demo begins at 11am at the lions outside the Council House in Market Square and aims to urge the council to launch a judicial review and obtain injunctions against the closures of Carrington and New Lenton branches.
Public Opinion:
We communicated our strong feelings of having been let down by our local councillors and John Heppell MP who have, at best, been on the peripherary of the campaign and have not provided the support and backing that other constituencies have received in their campaigns.
Despite the communities of Carrington, Mapperley Park, Sherwood Rise, the Arboretum and Sherwood uniting to show their support of Carrington Post Office, many of the councillors for these areas have not even shown their faces at any of the weekly meetings let alone kept up to date with the campaign and the wishes of their constituents. Now New Lenton and Carrington branches have joined forces to try to get Nottingham City Council to understand that they have their part to play in what is quickly becoming a regional part of a national campaign. This really is the council's last chance to act and they have to do it by Thursday!
New Lenton is due to close this Friday, while Carrington is due to close next Tuesday. The tide of opinion is turning against the Post Office Ltd and it's closure programme but we must stay in the game while this is debated and the only way we can do this is with the full support and backing of Nottingham City Council.
Please urgently pick up the phone and/or email the three contacts below who are all key influencers in the council's decision. Essex, Lincolnshire and Kent County Councils are all launching judicial reviews so why not Nottingham which has been the worst hit?
Alan Clark, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Regeneration [apparently Alan has been tasked with making the decision]
T: 0115 915 5667
E: alan.clark@nottinghamcity.gov.uk
Jon Collins, Leader of Nottingham City Council [and Carrington resident!]
T: 0115 915 5038/915 5636
E: jon.collins@nottinghamcity.gov.uk
Michael Edwards, Deputy Leader of Nottingham City Council
T: 0115 915 5050
E: michael.edwards@nottinghamcity.gov.uk
WE NEED THE COUNCIL TO MAKE A DECISION AND ACT BEFORE FRIDAY! OR AT THE VERY LEAST OBTAIN AN INJUNCTION TO GET MORE TIME TO CONSIDER WHAT FURTHER ACTION TO TAKE.
Below are the key points from tonight's council surgery:
Judicial Review:
We strongly urged the council to launch a judicial review based on the unfair and irrational procedures and process enforced by Post Office Ltd. While we learned that the council is already considering whether or not to launch a judicial review, we only have days left before our branches close so the council absolutely has to make its decision by Thursday at the latest or at the very least obtain an injunction against the closures to obtain more time to consider this course of action.
Apparently the decision on whether or not to launch a judicial review has been referred to Alan Clark, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Regeneration, and our local councillors have lobbied for a judicial review. Councillor Griggs said that she had been told it was going to cost Essex around £1million to fund the branches so that they will remain open - this amount was queried and the Councillor said it was just a number that she had been told.
Councillor Griggs informed us that Jon Collins and Michael Edwards will also be influencial in the decision and gave us their contact details so that we can contact them directly to try to get a decision prior to the forthcoming closures. She agreed to contact Alan Clark, and Grant Butterworth, Head of Planning Transport and Intelligence Strategy and will get back in touch with us with any feedback / progress.
It was also discussed that the Council's legal department could get in touch with the campaign group to decide on which of the various arguments and information that we have gathered throughout the campaign would be relevant for a judicial review. Councillor Griggs said she would suggest this.
Thursday's Demo:
We informed Councillor Griggs about Thursday's demo outside the council house and she agreed that she would be present for it.
As a reminder to you, the demo begins at 11am at the lions outside the Council House in Market Square and aims to urge the council to launch a judicial review and obtain injunctions against the closures of Carrington and New Lenton branches.
Public Opinion:
We communicated our strong feelings of having been let down by our local councillors and John Heppell MP who have, at best, been on the peripherary of the campaign and have not provided the support and backing that other constituencies have received in their campaigns.
Despite the communities of Carrington, Mapperley Park, Sherwood Rise, the Arboretum and Sherwood uniting to show their support of Carrington Post Office, many of the councillors for these areas have not even shown their faces at any of the weekly meetings let alone kept up to date with the campaign and the wishes of their constituents. Now New Lenton and Carrington branches have joined forces to try to get Nottingham City Council to understand that they have their part to play in what is quickly becoming a regional part of a national campaign. This really is the council's last chance to act and they have to do it by Thursday!
Carrington and New Lenton Joint Demonstration - Thurs 6 Mar
Carrington and New Lenton Post Office campaigners are staging a joint demonstration at 11am this Thursday 6 March meeting outside the lions in Market Square.
Our key aims for this demo are to get the local council to be more proactive by launching a judicial review and getting an injunction to prevent Carrington and New Lenton branches from closing [New Lenton is due to close this Friday, while Carrington is due to close next Tuesday]. Essex, Lincolnshire and Kent county councils are all launching judicial reviews while Nottingham City Council is still debating what to do - we simply don't have time to delay any longer and MUST ACT NOW!
The demonstration will also march to the Government's Office for the East Midlands in Talbot Street and present oversized letters to a representative [if they deign to come out!] asking for a judicial review and a meeting with Phil Hope, the new Minister for the East Midlands - he has so far declined our invitations.
Please try to come along as we need as many people there as possible, and bring a friend!
We're asking everyone to dress in black as we're going for a 'funeral' theme and please try to make one or two placcards and oversized letters to bring with you. Here is an example of an oversized letter, which would make a great media photo opportunity if we were to have many to hand over:
Please try to come along as we need as many people there as possible, and bring a friend!
We're asking everyone to dress in black as we're going for a 'funeral' theme and please try to make one or two placcards and oversized letters to bring with you. Here is an example of an oversized letter, which would make a great media photo opportunity if we were to have many to hand over:
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We're also keen for any customers that have mobility issues to attend if they are able as these are the people that will be most affected by the closures, so please invite anyone that you may know who might be interested in attending.
Monday 25 February 2008
Weekly Meetings
The Save Carrington Post Office campaign continues! Apologies for the lapse in news. It's not that we've been inactive, quite the opposite!
We are currently holding weekly meetings every Monday night from 7pm at the Ukranian Centre on the corner of Mansfield Road and Watcombe Road. Please feel free to join us if you can [you need to ring the door bell to be let in].
A copy of the weekly meeting notes can be viewed at Carrington Post Office, or emailed to you.
I had three very interesting conversations this week that I thought I would share with you all.
The first was with Grant Butterworth, who is the Head of Planning, Transport and Intelligence Strategy. He is the signatory of the two letters from the City Council to Post Office Ltd arguing for the the four branches in their constituency. Having heard that Essex County Council has succeeded in getting Post Office Ltd to open its books on the Essex branches, and that they are exploring alternative funding methods that may keep their branches open, we thought we'd find out what Nottingham City Council proposes to do next. Apparently there is due to be a meeting with Ken Clarke this very afternoon to discuss what can be done. Grant feels that any possibilities regarding alternative funding is out of his remit and would be more suitable with someone in planning.
We feel very strongly that Nottingham City Council must do everything that is within its power to fight for our Post Offices and should follow the example of Essex County Council in getting the Post Office Ltd to open it's books on the Nottingham branches, allowing us to make a business case against the closures, and should consider alternative funding options.
The other two telephone calls were with campaigners for Rippingale in Lincolnshire. This group has been very active and thanks to their own efforts and those of Quentin Davies, their Labour MP, have had unprecedented access to the senior management of Post Office Ltd, including Mark Partington, Network Development Manager, Post Office Ltd and Sue Higgins, the Head of Network Change. The key message to have come from these meetings is that 'viable alternative solutions' will be considered. Of course, 'viable' could mean almost anything, but it's very interesting to know that this approach could be worthwhile.
Meanwhile, Lincolnshire and Kent County Councils are considering launching a joint judicial review to split the costs.
This just goes to show what can be achieved with the full support of your local councillors and MP.
Another bit of interesting news is that Rippingale is teaming up with other campaign groups to form a national campaign group, CAPOC (Communities Against Post Office Closures). A campaign website will be launched later this week. We've already signed up Carrington Post Office for this and I'll post the website address once the site has been launched.
We are currently holding weekly meetings every Monday night from 7pm at the Ukranian Centre on the corner of Mansfield Road and Watcombe Road. Please feel free to join us if you can [you need to ring the door bell to be let in].
A copy of the weekly meeting notes can be viewed at Carrington Post Office, or emailed to you.
I had three very interesting conversations this week that I thought I would share with you all.
The first was with Grant Butterworth, who is the Head of Planning, Transport and Intelligence Strategy. He is the signatory of the two letters from the City Council to Post Office Ltd arguing for the the four branches in their constituency. Having heard that Essex County Council has succeeded in getting Post Office Ltd to open its books on the Essex branches, and that they are exploring alternative funding methods that may keep their branches open, we thought we'd find out what Nottingham City Council proposes to do next. Apparently there is due to be a meeting with Ken Clarke this very afternoon to discuss what can be done. Grant feels that any possibilities regarding alternative funding is out of his remit and would be more suitable with someone in planning.
We feel very strongly that Nottingham City Council must do everything that is within its power to fight for our Post Offices and should follow the example of Essex County Council in getting the Post Office Ltd to open it's books on the Nottingham branches, allowing us to make a business case against the closures, and should consider alternative funding options.
The other two telephone calls were with campaigners for Rippingale in Lincolnshire. This group has been very active and thanks to their own efforts and those of Quentin Davies, their Labour MP, have had unprecedented access to the senior management of Post Office Ltd, including Mark Partington, Network Development Manager, Post Office Ltd and Sue Higgins, the Head of Network Change. The key message to have come from these meetings is that 'viable alternative solutions' will be considered. Of course, 'viable' could mean almost anything, but it's very interesting to know that this approach could be worthwhile.
Meanwhile, Lincolnshire and Kent County Councils are considering launching a joint judicial review to split the costs.
This just goes to show what can be achieved with the full support of your local councillors and MP.
Another bit of interesting news is that Rippingale is teaming up with other campaign groups to form a national campaign group, CAPOC (Communities Against Post Office Closures). A campaign website will be launched later this week. We've already signed up Carrington Post Office for this and I'll post the website address once the site has been launched.
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