"Excuse me, Mr Cameron,
how’s this Big Society working?"


One of Devon’s leading community associations, Kennerleigh and District Community Association [KaDCA] has criticized the government’s Postal Services Bill and its implications for the Government’s Big Society policy.

Chairman, Don King, said Devon County Council and KaDCA welcomed the Government’s declaration that it had no programme to close more rural post offices, and its intention to use post offices for Governnment services, but noted “that does not rule out a change of policy later and that Government consultations do not have good reputations, especially those involving post offices.”

Mr King was giving his annual report at the association’s AGM on Friday, March 4.

“And, this morning we read the Government is withdrawing pensioners’ ability to cash benefit cheques at post offices. It has to be done elsewhere. Excuse me, Mr Cameron, but I don’t quite see how this Big Society thing is working.”

Earlier he said: “If the Government’s flagship Big Society policy is to mean anything it must embrace not only what the public has to say but involve a commitment to act on the public will. Governments of whatever complexion need to learn the lesson of flexibility. One size does not fit all; if your’e not flexible you are apt to break.

Mr King said Devon County Devon County was working with KaDCA and others to produce a practicable response to the Government’s proposals but asked “I wonder if we are all behind a fast-moving Government agenda here?”

He said DCC had been examining the Bill with sub-postmasters, the Rural Shops Alliance and others and was monitoring its passage through Parliament and seeking clarification on all important public consultation.

“One of the council’s key concerns – and KaDCA’s - is how quickly new Government business can be channeled into post offices.”

He revealed that the sub-postmasters federation had accused the Government of bulldozing the legislation through Parliament. “They talk about the legislation potentially ‘butchering’ one last vital public service and ‘killing’ post offices and communities. They are lobbying members of the House of Lords to amend the legislation so that sub-postmasters should have an equal say in the running of the post office with a casting vote.”


Issued by KaDCA 6th March 2011