POST OFFICE CLOSURES IN CEREDIGION AND POWYS

That this House is dismayed at plans to close 13 of Ceredigion and Powys' 166 post offices, and to remove the post office as a permanent fixture in 24 other communities in the area; notes with concern that these plans will mean the closure of 22 per cent. of permanent post offices in Ceredigion and Powys; recognises the social importance of the post office to rural communities, where the post office is often also the village shop or garage; further notes that over 90 per cent. of people in the area live in rural communities; welcomes the support given by the Government through the Sustainable Communities Act to the principle of allowing local communities to keep their post offices if they so wish; and urges the Government to place a moratorium on post office closures, to allow communities to use the powers in the Sustainable Communities Act and the powers of devolved administrations to minimise those losses and protect the quality of life of the people living in those communities.