ROTHERHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL – REPORT TO MEMBERS
1. Meeting: Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee
th 2. Date: Friday 12 September 2008
3. Title: Post Office Closures in Rotherham
4. Programme Area: Chief Executive’s
5. Summary
As part of the Government’s Network Change Programme to secure the long-termth sustainability of the post office network, an announcement was made on 5 August to close six post offices in Rotherham.
The six post offices are:
1. Salisbury Road Post Office, 66a Salisbury Road, Maltby 2. St Ann's Post Office, 45 St Ann's Road 3. Toll Bar Post Office, 500 Wortley Road 4. Whinney Hill Post Office, 14 Old Gate Lane, Thrybergh 5. Parkgate Post Office, 96 Broad Street, Parkgate 6. Harley Post Office, 11 Harley Road, Harley
This report sets out the background to the Network Change Programme , gives details of the post offices identified for closure in Rotherham, demographics of the affected communities and considers the impact that planning applications in those areas may have on post office provision.
6. Recommendations
That PSOC:
• Considers the issues outlined in this report
• Gives consideration as to how the Council might respond to Post Office Ltd on the proposed closures.
Page 1
1 7. Proposals and Details
Background
The emergence of a greater choice of alternative ways to access Post Office products (notably the move towards increased electronic payment of Government benefits and increasing internet usage) has led to a sharp reduction in the number of traditional transactions at Post Office branches. These changes mean that the Post Office network of 14,000 branches is considered to be unsustainable and is currently losing around £4million a week.
In June1 2000 the Government’s Performance and Innovation Unit (PIU) published a report criticising how Post Offices had kept up with the challenges of a rapidly changing market place. The report found that in urban areas there were too many branches competing for too little business. As a result the Government carried out the Urban Network Reinvention Programme which took place from 2002-4 and led to the closure of 2,486 urban sub post offices at a cost of £210 million.
In Rotherham 11 post offices closed during 2003 and 2004 as part of this Programme. These were:
CONSTITUENCY POST OFFICE Rotherham Canklow Milton Road College Road Eastwood View
Wentworth Swinton Common Kilnhurst Highthorne Bramley
Rother Valley Whiston Morrell Street, Maltby Manvers Road, Swallownest
In May 2007 the Government announced that a further 2,500 branches would close by 2009 under the Network Change Programme. The aim of this Programme is to ensure the long-term sustainability of the post office network by reducing the current number of post offices and at the same time investing in the remaining branches. The Government has invested £1.7billion to be used to pay off postmasters and invest in the remaining branches. This Programme began in July 2007 and the last consultation is scheduled to finish in October 2008. POL has stated that under this Programme, 2,500 post offices must close. Therefore if a post office identified for
1 Government’s Performance Innovation Unit (PIU) Counter Revolution – Modernising the Post Office Network .
2 closure is ‘saved’ following a successful local campaign, another branch within the same geographic area as defined by POL will close instead. In drawing up their Area Plans , POL has used parliamentary constituency boundaries but grouped constituencies together into Areas that do not reflect county or district borders, hence Rotherham is part of a plan for “South Yorkshire with Huddersfield, Colne Valley and North Derbyshire.”
Access criteria introduced by the Government stipulate that when selecting post offices for closure, consideration must be given to not only the physical distance to the next nearest branch but also to public transport arrangements, topography, local demographics and the impact on local economies. The Access criteria state that: • Nationally, 99 percent of the population will be within 3 miles of a post office, and 90 percent within 1 mile. • In deprived urban areas, 99 percent of the population will be within 1 mile of a post office. • In urban areas, 95 percent of the population will be within 1 mile of a post office. • In rural areas, 95 percent of the population will be within 3 miles of a post office. • For each postcode district (for example SW1), 95 percent of the population within the district will be within 6 miles of a post office.
It is suggested that in applying these criteria, the Programme aims to select branches for closure that will have the least impact on communities. Clearly the individual closures will affect local residents however Post Office Ltd (POL) believes that the new network will leave them in a similar position to other residents in the area, i.e. within one mile or three miles of their nearest post office.
POL also considers the profitability of branches although this is a matter of some confusion as certain post offices marked for closure (including ones in Rotherham) state that they are in fact making a profit. The confusion in part stems from differing definitions of profitability; a post office might support a sub-postmaster but make a loss to POL once overheads are taken into account. Sub-postmasters’ income from providing post office services depends on their transaction volumes, and many depend on additional income from a retail business on the same premises.
The situation in Rotherham
During the last round of closures in 2004 at a meeting of Rotherham’s Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee elected members criticised POL for not carrying out effective consultation with the communities facing closure of their local post office. In contrast, as part of the Network Change programme, POL is required to engage with local authorities. th In April 2008, POL contacted RMBC to request a meeting, which took place on 6 May 2008. However at that stage it was not known if any closures would be proposed in Rotherham.
th On 5 August 2008 Post Office Ltd announced the post offices in the area that have been selected for closure and began a period of consultation. POL have extended
3 the consultation period from the usual 6 weeks to 7 to take account of the summer holiday period.
Within the “South Yorkshire with Huddersfield, Colne Valley and North Derbyshire” Area, 66 post offices have been identified for closure, including six in the Rotherham borough. These are:
1. Salisbury Road Post Office, 66a Salisbury Road, Maltby, Rotherham S66 7EZ (Maltby ward)
2. St Ann's Post Office, 45 St Ann's Road, Rotherham S65 1PF (Boston Castle ward)
3. Toll Bar Post Office, 500 Wortley Road, Rotherham S61 1JJ (Keppel ward)
4. Whinney Hill Post Office, 14 Old Gate Lane, Thrybergh, Rotherham S65 4JT (Valley ward)
5. Parkgate Post Office, 96 Broad Street, Parkgate, Rotherham S62 6EN (Rawmarsh West ward)
6. Harley Post Office, 11 Harley Road, Harley, Rotherham S62 7UD (Hoober ward)
The Strategic Director for Environment and Development Services at RMBC has provided information regarding planning applications which could have an impact on the post office provision in the affected communities. This information is included in Appendix 1 along with demographic information for the catchment area of each of the six post offices.
The postmasters and postmistresses of the affected branches are concerned about the provision of services for their customers and the impact of closure on the local community, but there is a feeling amongst many of them that, despite the ‘consultation’ period, Post Office Ltd’s proposal is final and that there is little chance of reversing the decision. One postmaster spoke of a colleague in London who had collected 10,000 signatures supporting the branch but it still closed. Their comments are included in the information at Appendix 1. The six Post Offices listed for closure in Rotherhamth have been invited to send a representative to attend this meeting of PSOC on 12 September.
nd It is understood that following the consultation period which ends on Monday 22 September 2008, POL will consider feedback received and make a final decision regarding closures. The Council has until this date to provide an official response to POL. The response will incorporate knowledge about the local communities, views of the postmasters/mistresses of the affected branches and views fedth in by local residents. According to POL’s Area Plan Proposal released on 5 August, no changes will be implemented before November 2008.
4 Impact on the Community
The Council recognises the important role that post offices often play in the local community, not just via the provision of counter services but also as a social hub, especially for older people. Other businesses also often benefit from being located close to a post office and therefore post office closures can also impact negatively on the surrounding local shops. As well as the economic impact on the community, closure of a post office can lead to an impression of further isolation and abandonment in already deprived communities.
Vulnerable groups including older people, people with poor health, benefit-claimants and those living in rural or deprived urban areas tend to have a greater reliance on the services provided by the post office. As part of its Community Leadership role, the Council is keen to ensure that if the proposed closures go ahead, residents are able to access post office services from another location with minimal inconvenience. This is of particular importance for the more vulnerable groups who may be less able to travel to another branch.
th Since learning about the proposed closures on 5 August, the Council has been keen to provide an opportunity for local residents who might be affected by the closures to haveth their say. An initial meeting was held with councillors and officers on Thursday 7 August to discuss the implications for Rotherham. This meeting was chaired by Cllr Glyn Whelbourn in his role as Chairman of Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee (PSOC) and attended by a representative from Post Office Ltd to answer questions regarding the rationale for the proposed closures. Ath report was then taken to the Council’s Corporate Management Team meeting on 11 August. A page was set up on the Council website with information on the closures and an electronic form for residents to feed in comments as well as a postal address for letters. At the time of writing, comments have been received from 18 residents and a summary of these and others received will be given verbally at the meeting.
Alternative provision
In some areas of the country POL is introducing outreach services to compensate for post office closures. These can be provided via one of four models: Mobile Service where a vehicle travels to communities at specified times; Hosted Service where post office services are offered from a community building such as a shop or village hall; Partner Service where services can be offered through a third party retailer and the Home Service based in a resident’s home which would only be appropriate in very small communities. POL is intending to trial one outreach outlet within the South Yorkshire, Huddersfield, Colne Valley and North Derbyshire area, which will be at 32 Carlton Road in Barnsley.
2 POL has produced guidance for Local Authorities and community groups who may, following branch closures, wish to consider offering postal services from other outlets such as a local shop, council building or community centre. Post Office Ltd stipulates
2 Post Office Ltd Local Funding: Guidance for Local Authorities, Community Groups and Other Parties . Draft 7, Version 1. 3.7.08
5 that an interested service provider must commit to deliver the service for several years, cover all of POL’s costs, comply with State Aid rules and that there must be no detrimental impact on other remaining post offices in the area. Colleagues from legal and financial services are looking in detail at the implications of the criteria set out in the document should Rotherham wish to consider this option.
Providing postal services would be3 at a significant cost to the Council; a recent investigation by Darlington Council found that it would cost between £25,000 and £30,000 per annum to keep one post office open although this would clearly vary depending on the range of services provided and the chosen location. Essex County Council is negotiating with POL to put together a package to save up to 15 of their threatened post offices and has allocated £1.5 million over the next three years to do so, regarding this as a short term subsidy to support vulnerable communities in the county.
The future of local post offices
The closure of 2,500 post offices under the Network Change Programme will leave a network of around 12,200 branches, of which 500 will be Outreach services. Government funding is only guaranteed until 2011 and therefore further closures are possible after this date. Government4 policy is to “maintain a sustainable network of around 11,500 post offices” and Post Office Ltd have said that they would not wish to see a reduction in branch numbers beyond this level as long as the network can be made sustainable.
The Government’s Access Criteria outlined earlier in this report could actually be met with a network of 7,500 offices. However even a reduced network of that size would not necessarily be financially sustainable. Indeed in an earlier inquiry POL had5 indicated that a fully commercial network could only comprise of 4,500 branches. There is little certainty about the shape of the network post-2011 as much depends on the profitability of the remaining branches. Although the remaining post offices will in theory gain additional customers following the closures, it is likely that the number of people accessing post office services online will continue to rise in line with increasing internet access and usage. In addition, if the Post Office does not win the current tender for the replacement for the Post Office Card Account this could also significantly reduce the number of people visiting post offices.
Given the important role that post offices often fulfil in a community, it is suggested that consideration be given to how RMBC might help to sustain the longer-term future of post offices in the borough. In Rotherham some Council services such as payment of social care charges, Council tax, Community Charge, rents, car park fines and housing benefit overpayment are currently available through the Post Office. However many of these carry a transaction charge to the customer which has an impact on the take-up of customers opting to access these services at Post Offices.
3 4 Closure of Post Offices within Darlington. Cabinet Report 8 July 2008. Quoted in House of Commons Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) Committee,
5Post Office Closure Programme, Third Report of Session 2007-8 Volume I. As above
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It is possible that other Council services could be offered via Post Offices in future. Officers in Financial Services have suggested that the following services could potentially be offered:
1. Administration of Blue Badges
2. Service advice and signposting - e.g. Safer Neighbourhood Teams, how to apply for a school place, etc.
3. Direct telephone for customers to call the Council’s Contact Centre.
4. Area Assembly team consultation on their area plans and other consultations such as parish planning.
5. Publicising meetings.
6. Administration of Rothercard.
7. Nationality Checking Service.
Further work would need to be carried out into the viability, costs and impact to Post Office business of offering these services.
8. Finance
Although there are no immediate financial implications arising from this report, clearly any discussions around the Council’s response to the proposed Post Office closures will need to consider the potential significant cost to the Council as outlined above .
9. Risks and Uncertainties
Looking further to the future, POL can only guarantee the existing network until 2011 when all Government subsidy (£150 million a year) will cease and therefore further closures after this date are possible.
10. Policy and Performance Agenda Implications
Rotherham’s Community Strategy sets out commitments to support strong local communities (Proud) and to develop a mixed rural economy (Achieving) as well as to respond to the needs of Rotherham’s diverse and ageing population and ensure that people have equal access to services (Fairness). Closure of post offices potentially impacts on all of these commitments.
11. Background Papers and Consultation
Post Office Ltd Local Funding: Guidance for Local Authorities, Community Groups and Other Parties . Draft 7, Version 1. 3.7.08
7
Contact Name : Cath Saltis, Head of Scrutiny and Member Services, Ext 2779, [email protected]
8 Appendix 1 Post Office Catchment Area Summary Profile
1. Salisbury Road Post Office, Maltby
Catchment Output areas: 00CFFP0028, 36, 37, 39 to 42, 44 to 46, 50, 51, 57
2001 Census Data
Population 3,526
Aged 0-15 697 (19.8%) Aged 16-24 395 (11.2%) Aged 25-49 1,262 (35.8%) Aged 50-59 501 (14.2%) Aged 60-74 447 (12.7%) Aged 75+ 224 (6.4%)
Limiting Long Term Illness (of household population) 23.6%
Aged 16-74 2,544 Unemployed or Long Term Sick 342 (13.4%)
Households 1,473 Households with No Car 453 (30.8%)
Indices of Deprivation 2007 Data
Relevant SOAs (3) E01007757, 7758, 7759 (Grange lane, Salisbury Road and Highfield Park)
SOA E01007757 E01007758 E01007759 IMD Score 19.5 33.5 35.1 IMD Rank 14,306 (45%) 6,795 (21%) 6,261 (20%) Deprived of income 9.6% 23.6% 22.2% Deprived of Employment 11.8% 17.6% 16.8% Health Deprivation Rank 8,552 (27%) 4,964 (16%) 2,732 (9%) Barriers to Housing & Services 31,231 31,728 25,428
Comments In Maltby Neighbourhood Renewal Target Area (25% most deprived areas of Rotherham).
Salisbury Road serves a fairly large population with a typical age structure. Disability and worklessness are above average and car ownership is just below the Borough average. Deprivation data suggests that the east and west are more deprived, with high health deprivation in the Highfield Drive area (E01007759). The area has fairly average social need by Rotherham standards. The nearest post office is High Street, Maltby (0.5 miles).
9 Planning Information
This site is located within an area allocated for retail purposes within the Unitary Development Plan (UDP) and is surrounded in the immediate locality by a number of predominantly commercial premises. The parade of shops which includes the post office is well located for both pedestrian and car users, whilst the wider locality comprises of a larger residential allocation as part of the UDP.
A recent application (RB2008/030) for the re-development of the former Bede Church (which is located approx 50 metres diagonally opposite from the parade) for the erection of 2 three storey buildings comprising 20 apartments with associated car parking was supported by officers but was overturned by members of the planning board. It is likely that a reduced numbered scheme for further residential purposes would likely be supported.
Additionally the ‘Muddies’ site which was the subject of application RB2003/ for the erection of 98 dwellings, whilst withdrawn is considered a further potential development site (likely to be carried forward through the LDF process) thus adding to a further significant increase in potential housing stock in the vicinity.
Of further consideration to the retention of the post office is the potential demolition and re-development of the dwellings on land off Braithwell Av / Newland Av (some 500 metres distance) all of which will potentially require the retained services contained within the existing parade.
Comments from Postmistress
Mrs Mason said this is a busy, profitable post office with two or three counters kept busy most of the day. They have good parking provision and disabled access. Although the post office at the co-op is only half a mile from their post office, it is further than that from where most of the customers live. The postmistress is of retirement age and so not concerned for herself, but rather for the local people and community.
10 Post Office Catchment Area Summary Profile
2. St Ann’s Post Office, 45 St Ann’s Road
Catchment Output areas: 00CFFH0013, 21, 22, 00CFFL0014, 00CFFQ0004, 08, 18 to 23, 25, 26, 28 and 30
2001 Census Data
Population 4,701
Aged 0-15 1,049 (22.3%) Aged 16-24 628 (13.4%) Aged 25-49 1,591 (33.8%) Aged 50-59 466 (9.9%) Aged 60-74 559 (11.9%) Aged 75+ 408 (8.7%)
Limiting Long Term Illness (of household population) 26.0%
Aged 16-74 3,185 Unemployed or Long Term Sick 671 (21.1%)
Households 2,042 Households with No Car 1,135 (55.6%)
Indices of Deprivation 2007 Data
Relevant SOAs (3) E01007714, 7768, 7769 (Eastwood & Town Centre)
SOA E01007714 E01007768 E01007769 IMD Score 55.0 53.7 52.2 IMD Rank 1,489 (5%) 1,663 (6%) 1,910 (6%) Deprived of income 41.7% 40.8% 44.9% Deprived of Employment 22.7% 23.4% 18.1% Health Deprivation Rank 780 (3%) 1,938 (6%) 3,615 (12%) Barriers to Housing & Services 31,354 29,442 29,264
Comments In Central Neighbourhood Renewal Target Area (25% most deprived areas).
St Ann’s serves the Eastwood area, north east of the Town Centre. The area has above average percentages of children and young people, and those over 75. Disability and workless rates are high as is deprivation in general, income deprivation being particularly high. Car ownership is very low. Although access to services benefits from the town centre being nearby, Eastwood has already been affected by the closure of Milton Road Post Office. St Ann’s serves a compact area with particularly high social needs and poor mobility.
11 Planning Information
This site is set within an existing residential/commercial frontage although located in the UDP for residential purposes. It is situated on a prominent road frontage. The site does lack from off street parking facilities, however provides a vital service within the St Ann’s/Eastwood residential area.
Comments from Postmaster They have a petition against the closure.
12 Post Office Catchment Area Summary Profile
3. Toll Bar Post Office, 500 Wortley Road
Catchment Output areas: 00CFFM0001 to 03, 08 to 14, 32 to 34, 00CFFW0023 & 25
2001 Census Data
Population 4,971
Aged 0-15 1,066 (21.4%) Aged 16-24 519 (10.4%) Aged 25-49 1,776 (35.7%) Aged 50-59 799 (16.1%) Aged 60-74 597 (12.0%) Aged 75+ 177 (11.2%)
Limiting Long Term Illness (of household population) 17.4%
Aged 16-74 3,684 Unemployed or Long Term Sick 266 (7.2%)
Households 1,872 Households with No Car 346 (18.5%)
Indices of Deprivation 2007 Data
Relevant SOAs (3) E01007741, 7742, 7743 (North Kimberworth / Dropping Well)
SOA E01007741 E01007742 E01007743 IMD Score 13.7 22.9 12.8 IMD Rank 19,528 (61%)11,870 (37%)20,473 (64%) Deprived of income 4.7% 16.4% 4.1% Deprived of Employment 8.2% 10.9% 7.1% Health Deprivation Rank 14,246 (44%)8,578 (27%)14,175 (44%) Barriers to Housing & Services 27,616 31,075 25,905
Comments Toll Bar serves a significant population stretched out around Wortley Road. The area has fewer people aged 60+ than average and average levels of deprivation overall (by English standards) although this is not a uniform pattern. Health deprivation is above the English average.
Toll Bar serves a large population, some close to other post offices although the Dropping Well area has poor access to alternatives.
13 Planning Information
The Post Office is located in close proximity to the existing residential areas of Scholes and Thorpe Hesley. No major redevelopment schemes in the immediate area at the time of writing these comments
Comments from Postmaster
Mr Mirza feels that there is no point in opposing the decision of Post Office Ltd as the closure will go ahead anyway. His post office used to be busy but is quieter now. However there are old and disabled customers who are worried about where they will go as there are hills to get to alternative post offices.
14 Post Office Catchment Area Summary Profile
4. Whinney Hill Post Office, 14 Oldgate Lane, Thrybergh
Catchment Output areas: 00CFFJ0003, 06 to 09, 31
2001 Census Data
Population 1,689
Aged 0-15 359 (21.3%) Aged 16-24 215 (12.7%) Aged 25-49 639 (37.8%) Aged 50-59 161 (9.5%) Aged 60-74 211 (12.5%) Aged 75+ 104 (6.2%)
Limiting Long Term Illness (of household population) 28.2%
Aged 16-74 1,207 Unemployed or Long Term Sick 206 (17.1%)
Households 805 Households with No Car 366 (45.5%)
Indices of Deprivation 2007 Data
Relevant SOA E01007721 (Dalton)
IMD Score 46.9 IMD Rank 2,898 (Most Deprived 9%) Deprived of income 34.8% Deprived of Employment 19.2% Health Deprivation Rank 1,757 (Most Deprived 6%) Barriers to Housing & Services Rank 30,545
Comments In Central Neighbourhood Renewal Target Area (25% most deprived areas of Rotherham).
A small population with a relatively high proportion of young people. The area has high levels of disability and worklessness and car ownership is well below average. Deprivation is very high, notably income deprivation, indicating a high level of benefit dependency.
Whinney Hill serves a small but very deprived area with a high level of social need and low mobility. There are two other post offices nearby.
15 Planning Information
This site is set within an existing commercial frontage although located in the UDP for residential purposes. It is situated on a prominent road frontage close to the busy Doncaster Road junction. The site does lack from off street parking facilities. There is a potential HMR scheme for the subsequent re-development arising from the adjacent site at Glebe Crescent, Townend Avenue and Chesterhill Avenue all of which are considered to be within easy walking distance of the premises (some 140 - 160 metres).
Comments from Postmaster
(no answer, need to ring back)
16 Post Office Catchment Area Summary Profile
5. Parkgate Post Office, 96 Broad Street, Parkgate
Catchment Output areas: 00CFFR0010, 00CFFS0003, 08 to 14
2001 Census Data
Population 2,450
Aged 0-15 467 (19.1%) Aged 16-24 264 (10.8%) Aged 25-49 978 (39.9%) Aged 50-59 235 (9.6%) Aged 60-74 245 (10.0%) Aged 75+ 261 (10.7%)
Limiting Long Term Illness (of household population) 22.4%
Aged 16-74 1,682 Unemployed or Long Term Sick 257 (15.3%)
Households 1,148 Households with No Car 507 (44.2%)
Indices of Deprivation 2007 Data
Relevant SOA E01007784 (Parkgate)
IMD Score 38.0 IMD Rank 5,265 (Most Deprived 17%) Deprived of income 21.2% Deprived of Employment 19.2% Health Deprivation Rank 1,563 (Most Deprived 5%) Barriers to Housing & Services Rank 31,412
Comments In Rawmarsh Neighbourhood Renewal Target Area (25% most deprived areas of Rotherham).
Parkgate has a high percentage of young to middle aged adults and also those aged 75+, though younger pensioners are less evident. Disability rates are slightly above average, worklessness more so and car ownership is relatively low. Deprivation is high, particularly health deprivation. Income and employment deprivation are well above the Borough average. The nearest post office is at Rawmarsh (0.7 miles). Parkgate serves a significant deprived local population including a large minority without access to a car.
17 Planning Information
Consideration should be given to the potential HMR scheme for the subsequent re- development arising from the Bellows Road site. The post office is centrally positioned within the heart of Parkgate itself and also serves a well established retail and commercial area.
Comments from Postmaster
Mr Ghai is opposed to the closure but knows that there is very little chance of changing the decision. He knows a Postmaster in London who collected 10,000 signatures in support of his branch but the closure still went ahead.
18 Post Office Catchment Area Summary Profile
6. Harley Post Office, 11 Harley Road, Harley
Catchment Output Areas: 00CFFE0028 to 30
2001 Census Data
Population 752
Aged 0-15 128 (17.0%) Aged 16-24 55 (7.3%) Aged 25-49 283 (37.6%) Aged 50-59 114 (15.2%) Aged 60-74 105 (14.0%) Aged 75+ 67 (8.9%) Limiting Long Term Illness (of household population) 20.0%
Aged 16-74 578 Unemployed or Long Term Sick 46 (8.0%)
Households 331 Households with No Car 66 (19.9%)
Indices of Deprivation 2007 Data
Relevant SOA E01007696 (Wentworth & Harley)
IMD Score 17.5 IMD Rank 15,908 (Most Deprived 49%) Deprived of income 7.3% Deprived of Employment 7.5% Health Deprivation Rank 14,206 (Most Deprived 44%) Barriers to Housing & Services Rank 7,356 (Most Deprived 23%)
Comments Harley has a rural population with poor access to most local services. The population had a high proportion of young to middle aged adults, with below average proportions of children or very old people. Disability rates are fairly average and worklessness well below average. Car ownership is above average although 1 in 5 have no access. Deprivation in Harley & Wentworth is broadly average for England and below average for Rotherham.
The post office is a rare local amenity but does not serve a population with high social needs. There is no alternative facility within easy walking distance.
19 Planning Information
The post office serves a well established village within the Rotherham green belt. The post office is considered to be a key community facility in line with the policy objectives in the Rotherham UDP/Local Development Framework. It will be particular damaging to the interest of this community if this key village service was to be lost.
Comments from Postmistress
A lot of their customers are very upset and have started a petition. There is only one bus an hour to Chapeltown to go to the post office there which is not convenient for a lot of their older customers.
20