TEATHER DEMANDS COUNCIL INQUIRY INTO POST OFFICE CLOSURES

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 13th Oct 2003

Sarah Teather MP campaigning to save local Post Offices

Sarah Teather MP has met with Brent Council Chief Executive Gareth Daniel and demanded a Council inquiry into Post Office closures in Brent.

The Local Liberal Democrat MP met with the Chief Executive and discussed a series of residents' concerns. Top priorities included Post Office closures, cleaning up Brent and the future of the Asian People's Disability Association. They also discussed ways in which she could work with the local Council to fight for fairer funding for Brent.

Sarah Teather MP said:

"My first meeting with the Chief Executive was very constructive. I look forward to establishing a good working relationship with him and his staff. There are many issues where I shall continue to put pressure on the Council, such as cleaning up Brent, but also issues where we can work together, such as to fight for fairer funding for Brent from the Government."

At the meeting the Brent East MP called upon the Council to conduct its own detailed inquiry into Post Office closures in Brent, using the Council's scrutiny committees. The MP fears that the closures of a number of Post Offices in Brent is having a significant effect on residents lives, particularly the elderly and disabled who rely heavily on local post offices. At the meeting they discussed the need for all parties to work together to oppose these closures.

Commenting Sarah Teather MP said:

"Post Office closures are a huge issue for Brent residents. We have already heard the bad news about Brondesbury Post Office. Unfortunately it seems that under this Government more Post Offices are set to close. Many residents are asking which post office it will be next. I am calling on the Council to launch an inquiry into the impact that closing local post offices has on Brent residents."

The Liberal Democrat MP also called for the council to place a greater priority on cleaning up Brent. Miss Teather has tackled numerous complaints from Brent residents about the state of their area. 'Cleaning Up Brent' was a major part of the Brent East MP's election campaign and she has vowed to continue placing pressure on the Council to tidy up Brent.

Commenting Sarah Teather MP said:

"Residents are sick and tired of living in areas with fly-tips, abandoned cars and dirty streets. I shall continue to press the Council for action to clean up Brent."

The Asian Peoples Disability Association is under threat because Central Middlesex Hospital wants to reclaim the space that the Association currently occupies. Mr Daniel was asked by the Brent East MP to intervene personally in order resolve the dispute with the NHS Trust.

Commenting Sarah Teather MP said:

"I am deeply concerned about the situation with the Asian Peoples Disability Association. The service it provides is invaluable to local residents. I feel that the Council has a duty to safeguard the future of this organisation for the sake of all the residents who rely on this service. I have asked the Chief Executive to personally intervene and make contact with the Association and NHS Trust to make sure the Association can survive."