Welsh Lib Dems Win Renewed Support for Post Offices - Burnham

6.01.00pm GMT Wed 13th Dec 2006

Eleanor visits her local post office staff - Sub Postmaster Derek Rowlands and Day Manager Yvonne Humphreys - in Rossett, Wrexham

Eleanor Burnham AM today welcomed First Minister Rhodri Morgan's confirmation that a Welsh Liberal Democrat-inspired scheme to help preserve Wales' post office network is set to be re-born, throwing smaller communities in North Wales a lifeline.

Since signing a Statement of Opinion condemning the Department of Trade and Industry's latest blow to Wales' post office network, this week Ms Burnham joined her Welsh Liberal Democrat colleagues to lobby the Assembly Government for more PO support.

Under questioning from Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Leader Mike German AM, Mr Morgan confirmed that his government would be bringing back the Post Office Development Fund - six months after he and his Labour colleagues voted to reject it.

Commenting on the victory, Ms Burnham said: "While the Labour government in Westminster seem hell-bent on picking apart the Welsh post office network, I'm delighted that Mr Morgan has seen sense and confirmed that the Post Office Development Fund is coming back to North Wales.

"The PODF that Welsh Liberal Democrats put in place during the Partnership Government awarded £4.1 million to 106 post offices across Wales serving deprived and isolated communities. It allowed sub-postmasters and mistresses to diversify product ranges, improve accessibility and increase security. It sustained vital services during a time when many rural communities were losing them.

"The Welsh Liberal Democrats believe our post offices are at the heart of Welsh communities. In rural North Wales in particular, post offices keep our communities alive. With a strong national branch network communities across Wales can thrive.

"We tried to bring back the PODF in May, during a debate on the post office network, but Labour blocked our proposal. I hope the First Minister's conversion to bringing back the PODF will offer a lifeline to the network which is threatened by his Labour colleagues in Westminster."

Notes:

In June, Welsh Liberal Democrats tabled a motion calling for the Post Office Development Fund to be re-instated. Labour opposition ensured it was rejected.

Ms Burnham signed the following Statement of Opinion on Tuesday:

Rhwydwaith Swyddfa'r Post

Mae'r Cynulliad hwn:

Yn condemnio cynigion gan Adran Diwydiant a Masnach y DU i leihau rhwydwaith Swyddfa'r Post yn sylweddol. Yn credu y bydd hyn yn cael effaith niweidiol ar gymunedau ledled Cymru.

Post Office Network

This Assembly:

Condemns proposals from the UK Department of Trade and Industry to radically reduce the Post Office network. Believes this will have a damaging effect on communities across Wales.

Ends/Diwedd