Post Office Closures Draft Consultation Results June 2008

Contents Methodology The areas affected by the closures Response to the consultation Key Findings - Overall Data Quality Residents comments and suggestions Demographic Information

Methodology In light of the Government's decision to close a significant percentage of Post Offices in the UK, Torbay Council undertook an widespread consultation in Torbay, to identify how this will affect local people and what impact it will have on their day to day lives. Questionnaires were sent out using various methods Postal surveys were sent to our local Residents Panel ‘Viewpoint’ which consists of 1000 local people who take part in consultation regularly. The consultation caravan visited Torre in May, Staff and Councillors talked to local residents about their concerns, Questionnaires were handed out to residents. Questionnaires were handed out at local Post offices, libraries and connections offices in the bay Torbay Councillors handed many questionnaires to residents in their local area An online questionnaire was available for people to fill out on Torbay Councils Website A public meeting was held at Paignton Zoo in June, giving residents the opportunity to have their say face to face, Questionnaires were also handed out to residents

The areas affected by the closures Torre, 298 Union Street, Torquay Chelston, 24 Walnut Road, Torquay Tweenaway Cross Collaton St Mary, 369 Totnes Road, Paignton The Harbour, 41 Roundham Road, Paignton The Overview and Scrutiny Board hope to use these results to make recommendations to inform the Council's response to Post Office Limited, highlighting all the points of concern and making suggestions for the future of Post Office services in Torbay.

Responses based upon Torbay Residents’ local and Main Post Offices *1411 forms were completed, this data reflects all surveys with one or more Post offices entered. My Local Post Office (Q1a>0) My Local and mostly used Post office (Q1a=PO)and(Q1c=1) The Post Office I mostly use (Q1b=PO)and(Q1c=0) Post Office Count of Response % of response Count of Response % of response Count of Response % of response Torre % %473.5% Chelston % % % Collaton St Mary 90.6%40.4%00.0% Tweenaway 20.1%00.0%0 Harbour 755.4%575.6%171.3% Did Not answer 251.8%222.2%846.3% All Other Post Offices % % % All PO's Total % % %

My Local Post Office Refers to those People who filled one of these post offices as their answer to Q1a ‘Please tell us the name or area of the Post office nearest to your home’ My Local and mostly used Post office refers to the % of respondents who answered Q1a and checked Q1c ‘I always use the post office nearest to my home. The Post Office I mostly use refers to those respondents who answered Q1b and did not tick Q1c ‘I always use the nearest post office to my home’

The points within the circle represent the responses within a 1 mile radius of the post office

Key Findings - Overall This consultation has outlined some very strong concerns from residents in the bay, in relation to the closure of local post offices. Here are the Key Findings. Concerns were outlined about the elderly and people with disabilities accessing post offices. 32.8% of respondents to this consultation consider themselves disabled. One of the major concerns outlined by residents was the effect the post office closures would have on the sense of community. Visiting a post office is seen as an important social activity for many of the resondents to this consultation, particularly those who are aged 50+. Concerns were raised about the distance to travel to post offices if their local Post office closes. Transport issues are of concern to residents, as many existing Post offices are on key bus routes, if they were to close it would become more problematic for residents to use post office services.

Distance to Post Offices from home Local Post Office Count Local Post Office % Main Post Office Count Main Post Office % Less than 1/2 mile (0.7km) % % 1/2 - 2 miles ( km) % % miles ( km)141.0% % miles ( km)10.1%60.6% More than 10 miles (14 km)00.0%40.4% Not applicable20.1%333.2% Total % % 98.7% of respondents live within 2 miles of their local post office 69.2% of respondents live within 2 miles of their Main Post Office A relatively high percentage (26.7%) of respondents live between 2-5miles of their main post office, this correlates with the key concerns raised throughout the consultation, distance to travel and accessibility issues, specifically for those who are disabled or elderly.

This graph outlines how far the respondents travel to their local post offices

Residents are generally more worried about the affect the closures will have on: The sense of community. The distance to travel to other post offices The affect on local businesses. Physical access to other post offices Than things like: The ability to withdraw cash How quickly post is delivered to your home The ability to get bus passes and personal safety.

If your local or main Post Office were to close would any of these factors stop you from using another Post Office. If your local or main Post Office were to close would any of these factors stop you from using another Post Office. Count% Ease of physical access % Working patterns7816.5% Location of services (e.g. bus stop, train)7415.6% Cost347.2% Lack of security or fear for safety306.3% Opening hours153.2% Lack of information71.5% Total Nearly Half (49.8%) of all respondents are concerned over the ease of physical access if their main post office were to close.Nearly Half (49.8%) of all respondents are concerned over the ease of physical access if their main post office were to close. Working patterns and location of services factor highly in the concerns of local residents.Working patterns and location of services factor highly in the concerns of local residents. Residents are not so worried about the lack of information available and opening hours of post officesResidents are not so worried about the lack of information available and opening hours of post offices

Data Quality Please note: This data is Some areas in Torbay have been more proactive than others in handing out questionnaires, this should be considered when looking at the results overall, as it may explain any distinct patterns in opinion. Comparison tables and graphs have been produced to identify the shift in opinion based upon area Geographical analysis shows the patterns of travel for residents based upon postcode data to their nearest post offices. The sample for this consultation was unmeasurable, therefore an accurate response rate could not be established. Further analysis can be made available on request. Please contact the Consultation and Research Team on

Residents Comments and Suggestions EXTEND THE BANKING SERVICE SIDE OF THE BRANCHES SO THEY CAN TAKE IN MONEY FOR ANY BANK. (Torre Post Office) LONGER OPENING HOURS ON SATURDAYS EXTENDING SERVICES PROVIDED (Torre Post Office) INCREASE SERVICES THEY CAN OFFER SO THAT LOCALS CAN COUNT ON THEM EVEN MORE. (Torre Post Office) THE CLOSURE WILL AFFECT THE MORE VULNERABLE PEOPLE THE MOST SUCH AS THE ELDERLY. THE MAIN POST OFFICE IN TORQUAY IS NOW SITUATED UPSTAIRS IN WHSMITH AND IS NOT READILY ACCESSIBLE TO DISABLED PEOPLE /MOTHERS & PUSHCHAIRS. (Chelston PO) WE HAVE ELDERLY POPULATION IN OUR AREA AND WE CANNOT DO WITH THE LOSS OF THIS FACILITY (Chelston PO) WALNUT RD PO IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR COMMUNITY IN CHELSTON (Chelston PO) IS A THRIVING BUSY AND VIABLE BUSINESS WHICH A HUGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE (ESPECIALLY THE ELDERLY) (The Harbour PO) THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO SUBSTITUTE OR WAY OF EVEN THINKING OF BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE THE LOCAL SERVICE THAT ALL OF THE COMMUNITY RELIES ON. (The Harbour PO)

Residents Comments and Suggestions IF IT SHUTS NOT MUCH LEFT IN COLLATON ST MARY AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD LOOSE A VALUABLE SERVICE AND A LIFELINE. (Collaton St Mary) WHAT ABOUT THE EVER GROWING OLDER POPULATION - NOBODY CARES ABOUT THEM. (Collaton St Mary) THE THING THAT CONCERNS ME IS THAT I WILL HAVE TO DRIVE TO ANOTHER POST OFFICE - ESPECIALLY TO COLLECT OR TAKE PARCELS - THERE IS NOTHING WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE. I CAN DO THIS AT PRESENT BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I CANNOT. (Collaton St Mary) IF COLLATON POST OFFICE WAS TO CLOSE WE WOULD LOOSE THE EXCELLENT PERSONAL SERVICE AND A VALUABLE SOURCE OF LOCAL INFORMATION. (Collaton St Mary) IF THIS BRANCH CLOSES - OFFER SERVICES THROUGH THE LOCAL CONVENIENCE STORE. (Chelston PO) CHELSTON PO HAS A GOOD TURN OVER OF BUSINESS. THEREFORE THERE IS NO NEED TO CLOSE IT AT ALL. (Chelston PO) CHELSTONS POPULATION HAS TREBLED IN THE LAST FEW YEARS. YOU ARE UNABLE TO PARK ANYWHERE NEAR SHOPS SO USE BUGGY BUT IF WALNUT RD CLOSES SHERWELL VALLEY WOULD BE NEAREST BUT HILL TO GO DOWN IS TOO DANGEROUS & STEEP FOR BUGGIES. (Chelston PO)

Over Half of all respondents are Over 50 years oldOver Half of all respondents are Over 50 years old Only 7% are under 34 years oldOnly 7% are under 34 years old Demographic Information of all respondents More Females answered the questionnaire than males (59% and 41% respectively)More Females answered the questionnaire than males (59% and 41% respectively) A relatively high % (32.8%) of respondents consider themselves disabled in some wayA relatively high % (32.8%) of respondents consider themselves disabled in some way

This report is designed to outline the key points of the Post office closure consultation. For the full consultation results, further breakdowns or any other consultation and community engagement advise please contact: The Consultation and Research team, Torbay Council, Town Hall