Declares that the Petitioners are opposed to the closure of the Guisborough Royal Mail Delivery Office and the Government’s policy of Royal Mail privatisation; further declares that the Petitioners feel that there has been no meaningful consultation with the community, local businesses, the workforce and their trade union, the Communication Workers Union; and declares that no proper reasons have been given for the proposed closure of what the Petitioners believe is the most efficient delivery office in the Teesside area.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to take all possible steps to ensure that Royal Mail consults with local partners and reviews the proposed closure of Guisborough Delivery Office accordingly.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Tom Blenkinsop, Official Report, 9 November 2011; Vol. 535, c. 410.]
[P000977]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills:
The Government appreciate the hon. Lady’s concern for the planned restructuring of Royal Mail’s delivery operations in the Guisborough area. However, such matters are the responsibility of Royal Mail’s senior management team. The Government, in their capacity as shareholder, do not play a role in such operational decisions and cannot intervene.
The restructuring of Royal Mail’s delivery operations, not just in Guisborough but right across the UK, forms part of its much needed national programme of modernisation. This modernisation programme is aimed at ensuring that it has the right delivery infrastructure in the right locations so that it can deliver the universal service as effectively and efficiently as possible. Given the very real challenges facing the business, modernisation and transformation of its network is essential if it is to thrive. When planning any changes, the company will always give due consideration to how best it can continue to ensure it delivers a high quality of service to its customers.
The internal consultation process that Royal Mail follows to consider proposals has been agreed with its trade unions (both the CWU and CMA/Unite). Royal Mail is implementing its restructuring in line with the framework set out in that agreement, consulting fully with its employees and the unions and working together to develop the best solution for the company’s future. Royal Mail is not obliged to consult publicly on its proposals; however, it aims to keep all interested stakeholders informed, engaged and updated when it develops its plans.
The Government understand that Royal Mail wrote to Guisborough Town Council in August to set out the background to the proposals and also attended a public meeting on 29 October on the issue.