Sixty-three Councillors spent last Thursday night debating, amongst other things, the Government’s plans to close a further 11 Post Offices in Stockport.  The debate was heated and fire was focused on the Labour Group who were trying to defend the indefensible.  Labour Councillors were simply unable to give any good reason why these vital community facilities should be closed and the frustration of Councillors from the other parties was there for all to see.   Well, it would have been there for all to see but only one member of the public was present to the end of the debate!

In 18 months time we will have elections again in Stockport and be hard pressed to get anywhere near 50% of those eligible to vote to come out and make a choice.  I find it frustrating that so few people seem interested in local democracy, except when there is an urgent issue to fight.

The Post Office closure problem in Stockport is such an issue and we should care about it because it effects the most vulnerable in our society.  Yes of course things have changed and people do things differently now.  Of course we have to adopt modern methods but at the same time we must ensure that we don’t leave those who need help stranded.

This Council has yet to come up with a plan to offer help to those areas affected by the closures.  There are things we can do, like making provision for essential services to be run from Council buildings or other local community facilities.  There are good examples of this like the new Council operations at First House in Brinnington.  A real success story where the community and the Council have got together in a new centre which is being used by a large number of organisations and public usage of the facility has grown significantly.

So why can’t we come up with a Stockport plan to house some of the Post Office services in Council buildings?  Why can’t we look at how we might amalgamate services and provide facilities for those who need them in local community centres and buildings, even on a casual basis?   We are told Council Officers are working on plans but nothing has come out of these deliberations yet.

The mark of a caring society is that we look after the vulnerable and give their needs top priority.  It’s time Stockport delivered on a plan to do so.

Cllr Syd Lloyd
Bredbury Green & Romiley

This article, by Councillor Syd Lloyd, was first published in the Stockport Express 02/07/08