Chiswick Liberal Democrat Local Manifesto 2018

Chiswick Liberal Democrats' manifesto pledges to fight to stop Brexit, support EU citizens and make Chiswick greener and healthier.

Chiswick residents face a stark choice in the Local Elections on the 3rd of May. Voting Labour is a vote for Jeremy Corbyn, Brexit and four more years of a complacent Labour Council. Voting Conservative means backing Teresa May, a Hard Brexit and pro-Brexit councillors.

"We think it is time for a change from the dysfunctional two-party system and a return to open, tolerant, liberal values" said Helen Cross, candidate for Turnham Green Ward. "That means sending a clear message through the ballot box to the Conservatives and Labour to stop this damaging Brexit".
The Liberal Democrats have an ambitious vision for Chiswick, and you can see our candidates talk about our manifesto on our Facebook page here.

Our manifesto pledges are:

1. Fight to Stop Brexit

Vote Liberal Democrat in May to send a message to the Conservative Government and Labour's non-opposition, that Chiswick residents don't support a hard Tory Brexit. The Liberal Democrats are the only national party campaigning for an #ExitfromBrexit with a referendum on the final Brexit deal, giving us the option to stop Brexit and remain in the EU.

2. Support our local EU Citizens

Vote Liberal Democrat to show you support the EU nationals who live and work here. Liberal Democrats back our EU citizens' right to stay, work, love and build a future in the UK. The Conservatives have used them as bargaining chips.

We will campaign for a proper, specialised council support service to help EU citizens to understand their rights and navigate the purposely difficult UK Citizenship application process.

3. No Third Runway

The Conservatives back a third runway at Heathrow. Labour is divided and non-committal, and won't fight against a third runway. The Liberal Democrats are the only major party united in opposing a third runway or expansion at Heathrow. Chiswick voters can't trust the Conservatives on Heathrow, but the Chiswick Liberal Democrats will continue to campaign with others to stop Heathrow expansion. Better doesn't have to be bigger.

4. Reduce Pollution

Liberal Democrats have a plan to make Chiswick a healthier place for all. We will:

• Get the A4 through Chiswick included in the Ultra Low Emission zone, reducing pollution and improving the health of Chiswick residents. See our campaign here.
• Install a green barrier on the A4 to reduce car pollution impact for the residents and schools near the A4.
• Implement traffic light synchronisation to reduce stop / start traffic on the High Road (the biggest impact on pollution levels) and look at reducing the speed limit.

As councillors we will take advantage of existing funds for green spaces (like Green Capital) and embrace green initiatives like the All London Green Grid and TfL best practice to make the case for these improvements. Hounslow Council has failed to address the increasing amount of harmful pollution from the A4. We therefore promise to produce transparent indexes based on TfL's own Healthy Street Indicators to hold the Council and TfL to account.

5. Improve Public Transport

Liberal Democrats for Tube Users

Together with Caroline Pidgeon, our Liberal Democrat in the GLA, we will continue to pressure TfL to make the Piccadilly Line stop at Turnham Green.

Liberal Democrats for Bus Users

The Labour Mayor of London is cutting bus services everywhere. Liberal Democrats will fight any proposed cuts to essential bus services in Chiswick.

Liberal Democrats for Cyclists and Pedestrians

We support better facilities for both cyclists and pedestrians, and will work to ensure the CS9 cyclesuperhighway improves access and facilities for everyone in Chiswick - pedestrians, users of public transport, and cyclists. Read more about our assessment criteria for CS9 here.

6. Improve parks and community spaces

We support the protection of Chiswick's green spaces and parks, which are an essential part of what makes Chiswick such an enjoyable place to live and work. As councillors we will work with local groups to improve accessibility and park facilities in Chiswick.

Dukes Meadows

We support the Dukes Meadows Trust 3 pledges (read more here). Paths and other public areas there need to be upgraded (with assistance if necessary from the Hounslow Community Infrastructure Levy). The Council and Lampton360 also need to work more transparently with the Trust, clubs and organisations to manage and maintain Dukes Meadows to a high standard.

Chiswick Back Common

We want to see improvement to lighting and facilities in Chiswick Back Common.

7. Fight Crime

Chiswick Liberal Democrats and Ealing Liberal Democrat Councillors are working together to campaign against the closure of Chiswick Police Station by the Labour Mayor of London. We firmly believe in the importance of community policing and will fight to retain the same level of police presence in Chiswick.

Vote Liberal Democrat for a fair, open and tolerant society and better local government.

Click here to read more about our Chiswick candidates.

Notes to editors

For enquiries on this release please contact:

Helen Cross, Leigh Edwards or Chris Gillie, candidates for Turnham Green ward at liberalchiswick@gmail.com

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Chiswick Liberal Democrats welcome the Mayor's reported statement that CS9 in Chiswick must not compromise pedestrian space.

Sadiq Kahn in a People's Question Time on 1st March was recorded as saying that reducing paving space on the south side of Chiswick High Road as part of CS9 "can't be right"(1).

"It is about time that the Mayor has come around to the Chiswick Liberal Democrat position, that improved cycling provision on the High Road must not come at the expense of pedestrians" said Helen Cross, Liberal Democrat Council Candidate for Turnham Green Ward.

"It is disappointing that it has taken this long to come to this conclusion, if TFL had followed its own planning guidance and Healthy Streets approach, we would have a CS9 design that was fit for purpose for both cyclists and pedestrians" she continued.

Chiswick Liberal Democrats outlined their position in an extensive submission to the CS9 consultation where they highlighted their concerns over poorer pedestrian experience and the impeding of access to public transport for vulnerable groups. Read their submission here.

Now that CS9 has been approved to proceed, Chiswick Liberal Democrats expect TFL to work proactively and transparently with the people of Chiswick to ensure that the detailed design of CS9 works for everyone in the area.

Chiswick Liberal Democrats have developed a set of criteria they expect to be met by the final design for the scheme:

• Demonstrably better provision than currently in place for both cyclists and pedestrians on the High Road, and evidence that the scheme will improve all Healthy Streets Indicators
• Any cycle lane is single carriageway i.e. one way only, flowing the same way as the traffic (in order to optimise both pedestrian and cyclist safety)
• The cycle lane will ideally be on-carriageway but segregated, though we are open to creative options that do not reduce pavement space or impede accessibility for vulnerable groups (particularly regarding bus stop islands)
• Bus routes must not be compromised, the design must demonstrate that all bus routes within Chiswick should at least maintain current frequency and journey times (this includes the 272 and E3 whose route times have yet to be assessed)
• Modelling for pollution impact over time should take place prior to implementation and demonstrate a projected reduction in NO2 and PM10s on the High Road.

"Chiswick Liberal Democrats will continue to fight for a CS9 scheme that improves the High Road for all"

(1) https://www.london.gov.uk/events/2018-03-01/peoples-question-time-hounslow at approximately 43 minutes. https://twitter.com/JUSTAW4LKER/status/969499712360534016

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Chiswick Liberal Democrats ask TFL to investigate 'on-carriageway' and alternative solutions to ensure CS9 works for all.

While being fully supportive of increasing the use of walking, cycling and public transport to improve health, air quality and safety, Chiswick Liberal Democrats say they have concerns about the proposed Chiswick section of the CS9 cycle super highway in its current form.

"In our view TFL have failed to provide evidence that the CS9 scheme will deliver on these benefits for Chiswick. It's the right principle but is being implemented incorrectly", said Helen Cross, Liberal Democrat Council Candidate for Turnham Green Ward.

"This scheme is expected to cost up to £70 million pounds and should support all the forms of transport it is supposed to. This appears to be a classic case of top down targets driving decisions with little consideration of local needs. Chiswick Liberal Democrats want TFL to investigate 'on-carriageway' and alternative or complementary solutions to ensure CS9 works for all", she continued.

Our survey among local Lib Dems showed that while many want a 'greener' Chiswick, there were many concerned about the impact of the scheme on pedestrians, public transport, traffic and businesses. Following this feedback, Helen and fellow Turnham Green candidate Chris Gillie reviewed the TFL proposals. They highlighted the following concerns:

1. Wrong solution for community, consumers and business: The proposal of a fully segregated off-carriageway cycle route treats Chiswick High Road as a commuter 'through road' and is at odds with its crucial function as the community and local shopping hub for Chiswick. The proposed plans make crossing the road more difficult (all pedestrian crossing times are up significantly, some by 400%), impeding the ability of people to access businesses and amenities on both sides of the road. TFL's own planning guidance advises against putting fully segregated off-carriageway solutions on 'high street' type roads.

2. Reduced accessibility: This planning approach has led to an over emphasis of cycling at the expense of walking and public transport in Chiswick. We believe this presents significant accessibility challenges for vulnerable and disadvantaged groups (those with disabilities, children, or the elderly) as buses are one of the most affordable and accessible forms of transport. TFL have projected generally increased bus travel times, by as much as 5 - 10 minutes at peak times eastbound, and they have failed to publish any assessment of the critical E3 and 272 bus routes that connect north and south Chiswick.

3. Diminished pedestrian experience: Due to reduced pavement size, generally increased traffic journey times and having to cross a two-way CS9 lane to get to bus stops, Chiswick High Road will be more crowded, feel less safe and potentially have increased pollution. The current design of CS9 in Chiswick is also fundamentally at odds with the Healthy Streets Approach adopted by TFL that is supposed to encourage pedestrians and communities. The plans conflict directly with 6 of TFL's 10 Healthy Streets Indicators, and we are particularly concerned that an impact assessment on levels of pollution has not been carried out.

"Chiswick Liberal Democrats want to work with TFL to get the right CS9 approach for Chiswick. The current proposal diminishes the experience for pedestrians, impedes access to public transport for vulnerable groups, potentially increases pollution and is bad for local businesses. We will continue to push TFL to take concrete actions to address our concerns and develop a better solution that works for all."

See our detailed analysis and demands of TFL here. This document was submitted to the consultation on 31 October 2017. For further comment, contact Chiswick Liberal Democrats at liberalchiswick@gmail.com.

The Healthy Streets Approach document is available here: http://content.tfl.gov.uk/healthy-streets-for-london.pdf with the 10 Health Streets Indicators at page 12-13.

For the original Healthy Street Check document from Lucy Saunders and Brian Deegan for TFL, please click here.

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Hounslow Liberal Democrats have today launched their local election manifesto setting out a radical approach to tackling unemployment and guiding our community towards a more healthy, green and resilient lifestyle.

Cllr Andrew Dakers, Leader of Hounslow Liberal Democrats and Prospective MP for Brentford & Isleworth constituency, said:

"We are proposing a clear raft of measures that would make a huge difference to peoples' lives in Hounslow. Our "Six to Fix" sets out our core policies and shows that a real change can be made by voting Liberal Democrat."

The "Six to fix" are:

1. Pilot a change of Jobseekers Allowance to a 'part-time employment guarantee'.

2. Push for improvements in our local health services.

3. Empower communities to make local decisions for justice in cases of Anti Social Behaviour.

4. Rebuild our roads and pavements.

5. Invest in our Primary and Secondary schools.

6. Support all our communities in transitioning to low carbon lifestyles.

In his introduction to the Lib Dem election manifesto for Hounslow, Cllr Andrew Dakers, writes:

"Local government touches the lives of every resident. From nursery education to rubbish collection to tackling climate change, councils have a responsibility to ensure that local services are provided in a responsive, efficient and effective manner, in accordance with the needs and wishes of local people. The Local Council elections on Thursday 6 May will decide how local services costing £186.1 million are run and how they are paid for.

"35 years of Labour control and then 4 years of the Tories mean that local government does not fulfil its responsibilities; real decision-making is remote from local people and conducted in an arrogant manner - a survey of residents in 2008 found that only a third of people in Hounslow ﴾34 per cent﴿ feel they can influence local decisions.

"You, the people of Hounslow, have a clear choice at this election - a choice between four more years of Tory muddle, or the opportunity of a radical approach to tackling unemployment and transitioning our community towards a more healthy, green and resilient lifestyle."

Jin Jhooti, Lib Dem council candidate in Bedfont ward, added:

"If you read our manifesto you will see that it is different from the others. We don't only propose policy changes. We also want fundamental changes in the way those policies are decided.

"We don't have the financial means of the Labour and Conservative parties to deliver endless glossy publications through the letter box. We hope that voters looking for a better way of running politics will take the time to look at the policies on our website. Our manifesto can be downloaded from www.hounslowlibdems.org.uk."

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Cllr Dakers, Lib Dem Prospective MP for Brentford & Isleworth Constituency is backing moves to support British pubs after new figures showed the number of pub closures in London running at six a week. The "I'm backing the pub" campaign aims to mobilise public support for pubs pubs as an essential part of community life.

The UK beer and pub sector employs more than half a million people. Yet region statistics released by the British Beer and Pub Association show that dozens of pubs are closing every week across the country.

Cllr Dakers, Lib Dem Prospective MP for Brentford & Isleworth Constituency, said: "Pubs are a vital part of the local community here in Brentford & Isleworth constituency. They provide employment for many local people - including local brewers Fullers - and well run pubs also promote responsible drinking.

"The latest closure figures shows that more action needs to be taken to support this essential part of our way of life. That's why the 'I'm Backing the Pub' campaign is so important."

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. 'CAMRA's beer drinkers and pub goers charter' is promoted on www.andrewdakers.com and can also be downloaded from http://www.camra.org.uk/charter

2. "I'm backing the pub" is seeking to work with all those most affected by pub closures including those in the sport and recreation, hospitality, music and tourism industries. With all of these groups coming together, the campaign will work to show politicians the huge contribution the pub makes to local life in Britain - and highlight the negative effects of increased taxes and regulation on the pub industry.

"I'm backing the Pub" is led by the British Beer & Pub Association, whose members brew 98 per cent of the UK's beer and own more than half of Britain's 54,000 pubs. You can learn more about the BBPA at www.beerandpub.com. The campaign is supported by a number of organisations including the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) and many other organisations, politicians, and celebrities.

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Liberal Democrats have launched a new petition setting out local peoples' concerns at the decline of Hounslow Town Centre. In 2008 the council paid consultants £175,000 to speak to local residents, businesses and employees and draw up plans on how Hounslow town centre could be improved. Whilst Lib Dems welcomed the work of EDAW on the Town Centre vision 'A brighter future for Hounslow town centre', published last January, they are highlighting that progress has now slowed.

Local people responded to the consultation by asking the Council to take action to fix the roads and pavements, plant more trees, as well as remove street clutter and graffiti. Residents and local workers called on the council to "think big" in its plans and make the most of Hounslow's prime location and vibrant community.

Cllr Andrew Dakers, Lib Dem Prospective MP for Brentford & Isleworth Constituency, said:

"The Council needs to commit the necessary staff time and resources to move the regeneration forward faster. A town centre regeneration group could involve a cross section of stakeholders, including traders and local residents. Work must also be funded to complete a master plan for the town centre."

Cllr Munira Wilson, Lib Dem Prospective MP for Feltham & Heston Constituency, added:

"We have had a very positive response to our petition. Local people want to be proud of their town centre and they want the Council to invest in cleaning it up. Having asked for their views, the Council is totally ignoring local people. A renewed town centre will be a massive boost for the local economy."

"Please sign our petition online at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/hounslowtowncentre/"

Related Links

• 'A brighter future for Hounslow town centre', EDAW/ AECOM, January 2009

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Brentford Community Council's Waterways sub-committee has today issued an urgent call for support to raise £3000 in the next week to help fund an appeal in the High Court of planning permission granted to moor boats where the River Brent meets the River Thames. The appeal has also been supported by the Environmental Law Foundation and monies raised will fund their continued work on the case.

Andrew Dakers, local councillor and supporter of the campaign, said:

"Diverse uses of the Grand Union Canal can bring increased life and interest to the area, which most people in Brentford consider desirable."

"The other benefit if this appeal is successful will be for private boaters. The proposed mooring structures will significantly impede amateur navigation between the Thames and the River Brent/Grand Union Canal. The structures would add a measurable degree of risk for those seeking to enter the waterway in certain conditions - outside 'slack water'. Success in overturning the approval will ensure that the safety of the boating public will be maintained at the current level."

Nigel Moore, who is named litigant in the action against developers Hither Green, said:

"The expert analysis was clear that this development would interfere with freight use. The expert himself only modified his analysis of the risk factor on that same British Waterways assurance that water freight was not going to happen. That means that if the proposal is implemented, it will signal the end of all water-freight aspirations, with all the benefits that that would have brought in tackling climate change. Success in overturning the approval will ensure that the potential for freight remains. This is the intent of the Capital's Blue Ribbon Network policies, as well as London Borough of Hounslow's policies."

Stephen Browne, Chair, Brentford Community Council, added:

"The general public benefit arises from maintaining the Grand Union Canal in a fit state for increased commercial and recreational use. Narrowing down the entry into the canal system at this critical point will most certainly be an impediment to the commercial usage that planning policy promotes. The local planning committee did not give permission. Unfortunately when the developers appealed the Planning Inspector confused potentialities with probabilities. As a consequence, the Planning Inspector took British Waterway's word that commercial use of the Grand Union Canal was not going to happen again."

Contributions should be sent to Stephen Browne, who can be contacted at chair@brentfordcc.org.uk. Cheques should be made payable to Brentford Community Council, 59 Holland Gardens,Brentford TW8 0BF. Alternative please pay directly into the BCC bank account using the details: sort code 60-03-23 and account 42875919.

For more information on the Brentford Community Council visit: http://www.brentfordcc.org.uk

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Andrew Dakers, Councillor for Brentford Ward and Chair of Brentford High Street Steering Group, has raised serious concerns about the end of the lease on the Magpie and Crown pub on High Street Brentford.

Cllr Andrew Dakers, said:

"From everything I hear, I wonder whether the freeholders and their property managers have recently visited Brentford High Street?

"All things considered, with development blight on High Street Brentford and the recession, the Magpie & Crown was still doing a reasonable trade. Its real ale product offer was also fairly unique locally, which is why I am doubtful another pub landlord would be able to generate much more turnover.

"This highlights again the urgent need for London Borough of Hounslow to put a Town Centre Manager in place in the area."

Resources of note from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA):

Public house viability test - http://www.camra.org.uk/download.aspx?o=182043

Save your local pub - http://www.camra.org.uk/download.aspx?o=181996

Pub is the hub best practice leaflet - http://www.pubisthehub.org.uk/assets/downloads/PITH_Good_Practice_Guide.pdf

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Councillor Dakers, Councillor for Brentford Ward and Chair of Brentford High Street Steering Group, tonight moved approval of a motion calling on the Leader of the Council, Cllr Peter Thompson, to press ahead with recruiting a Town Centre Manager for Brentford High Street and Hounslow The motion was seconded by Councillor Paul Fisher of the Independent Community Group.

The Brentford High Street Steering Group is an umbrella body supported on a cross-party basis by local councillors to drive forward the regeneration of Brentford High Street and implement short term measures to improve trading conditions on the High Street.

Speaking to the motion, Cllr Dakers, said:

"This was first suggested in The Community Vision for Brentford High Street in November 2007. We are losing ever more businesses from the High Street which now needs a full time professional employed to promote and improve the town centre, as well as sign-post small businesses to the support they need.

"What is extraordinary is that despite having identified the funding for the post, there is still no action by the council, whilst local people are losing their livelihoods."

MOTION

The Isleworth and Brentford Area Committee calls for the Leader of the Council to proceed with the recruitment of a Town Centre Manager for Brentford and Hounslow through an urgent report to the November Executive. Given the steps that have already been taken, and years of discussion, any further delay is considered unacceptable given that Brentford High Street is a ''special project'' of Community Plan and so many retail units are now closing or derelict on High Street Brentford.

Voting for: Councillors Caroline Andrews (Community Group), Phil Andrews (Community Group), Cadbury (Lab), Dakers (Lib Dem), Paul Fisher (Community Group), Shirley Fisher (Community Group), Hardy (Community Group), Harmer (Lab), and Hibbs (Community Group).

Abstained: Councillors Carey (Conservative) and Reid (Conservative)

Related Links

• Brentford High Street Steering Group
• Isleworth and Brentford Area Planning Committee - Agenda - 22 Oct 2009

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Cllrs Andrew Dakers, Paul Fisher, Jon Hardy and Matt Harmer who collaborated closely with local traders to deliver car park for Brentford High Street are pleased that after three years of campaigning work has finally been completed on a new shoppers car park on Brentford High Street - free for the first hour (30p for 2hrs, 60p for 3hrs). The successful campaign for the car park led since 2006 by the chair of the Brentford High Street Steering Group, Cllr Dakers, secured cross-party support that enabled it to be opened on a temporary basis in 2007. Since then, the low-cost and well located car park has received much positive feedback from local businesses and local shoppers. The car park was first suggested in the early 1990s by the Brentford Regeneration Partnership but was never implemented.

Cllr Dakers, Chair, Brentford High Street Steering Group and Councillor for Brentford ward, said:

"It is really important that the Council provides support to small businesses that will at least ameliorate the some of the impacts of the economic downturn. I hope that this will be the start of a series of actions taken by the Council to help small retail businesses in Brentford and across the borough during the recession."

Cllr Jon Hardy, Lead member for service improvement and Councillor for Syon ward, added:

"Responding to the needs of the community, and after a protracted up-hill struggle, local councillors are pleased to deliver Brentford Town Centre's free-for-the-first-hour car park. This will enable local traders to compete on a level playing field with supermarket giants."

Reza Bazari from Arya's Styles enthusiastically stated:

"I have heard many good responses from my customers. The new car park is cheap, effective and very handy."

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Cllr Stephen Knight, Lib Dem South West London Assembly Candidates has condemned the threatened closure of 12 Post Office branches across the South West London constituency. In response he has launched a petition in shops around the post offices.

Cllr Stephen Knight said:

"These Post Office branches are a vital hub for the local community and in many cases play an important role in maintaining the vitality of local shopping parades.

"Their closure would seriously undermine local communities right across South West London."

"The Liberal Democrats will be leading the campaign to save our local Post Offices."

The Post Office announced plans on 19th February to close 169 branches across London, including 12 branches in South West London (the boroughs of Kingston upon Thames, Richmond upon Thames and Hounslow). These are:

• HOUNSLOW
• Park Avenue, 135 Whitton Road Hounslow TW3 2EL
• Old Isleworth, 4 South Street, Isleworth TW7 7BG
• Chiswick High Road, 110 Chiswick High Road, London W4 1PU
• RICHMOND UPON THAMES
• Broad Street, 30 Broad Street, Teddington TW11 8RF
• Cambridge Parade, 336 Richmond Road, Twickenham TW1 2DU
• The Common, 38a Staines Road, Twickenham TW2 5AH
• KINGSTON
• Burlington Road, 82 Burlington Road, New Malden KT3 4NU
• Hook Rise, 311 Hook Rise South, Surbiton KT6 7LS
• Norbiton Common, 240 Kingston Road, New Malden KT3 3RN
• Plough Green, 380 Malden Road, Worcester Park KT4 7NL
• Surbiton Park, 62 Surbiton Road, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2HT
• Chestnut Grove, 127 Richmond Road, Kingston upon Thames KT2 5BX

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Hounslow Liberal Democrats celebrated tonight after their motion to full council calling for Hounslow's remaining post offices to be saved was carried with the full support of the Council. A proposed amendment by the Labour group suggesting that MPs Alan and Ann Keen were already lobbying government was met with scorn by the other council members and was not supported.

Cllr Andrew Dakers said:

"Nineteen Post Offices have been lost between 1999 and 2005 in Hounslow Borough (8 in Brentford & Isleworth constituency/ 11 in Feltham & Heston constituency). This is a reduction of about fifty percent in six years.

"Post Offices have provided a heart to many of our local communities for decades. For older members of our community they have been a convenient, safe and secure location to access a range of key services.

"As a result of the closures people walk further than ever before to access a post office and experience longer queues. If more close I do wonder how the elderly will be able to cope.

"Local retail businesses, for example at Albany Parade in Brentford, have already felt the impact of reduced trade when the local post office disappeared. This trend is backed up by national research from the New Economics Foundation.

"Hundreds of local residents have raised disappearing post offices as a concern on the doorstep and in surveys I've run over the past few years."

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

Save Hounslow's remaining Post Offices

Proposer: Cllr Dakers

Seconder: Cllr Drew Morgan-Watts

This Council regrets the loss of 19 Post Offices between 1999 and 2005 in Hounslow Borough (8 Brentford & Isleworth/ 11 Feltham & Heston) and notes with concern the announcement by the Government on 14th December 2006 of Ministers plans to close 2500 Post Office branches across the UK.

This Council further notes the social importance of Post Offices to the well being of both communities and individuals in Hounslow.

This Council believes that the recently announced closure programme is unnecessary and calls on the government to:

1. End the branch closure programme;

2. Remove the Royal Mail restrictions on the Post Office to open up further business opportunities for the network;

3. Carry out a review of which additional local and central Government functions could be carried out through Post Offices as many existing services go online;

4. Invest in the Post Office network.

This Council welcomes the decision of the Government to withdraw its previous proposals to scrap completely the Post Office Card Account (POCA), but calls on Ministers to ensure that any replacement POCA should be open freely to all pensioners and benefit recipients who wants one.

This Council calls on the Government to avoid putting pressure on current and future POCA users to switch to having benefits and pensions paid directly into bank accounts.

This Council calls on the MPs for Brentford & Isleworth and Feltham & Heston to lobby Ministers to save the Post Office from gradual demolition and to protect this vital service for the people. This Council further calls on the MPs to report back to this council on their actions.

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