Argyll’s MSP, Enterprise Minister Jim Mather, has welcomed the Scottish Parliament’s vote to approve the Government budget, against Labour opposition.
Among its measures, the budget is to make £1 million available to help Scotland’s local post offices survive the recession and expand their businesses.
This will be a help in Argyll where there is widespread concern in small communities over the possible loss of their local Post Office. Urban dwellers have little or no understanding of the real fragility of rural communities. Post Offices and primary schools are political touchstones for very good reason.
Changes of use granted by planners for buildings offering visitor services – like hotels – to become private residences, can destabilise the sustainability of such communities at a stroke – as can their straightforward closure.
The funding to support local Post Offices will, in 2010-11, establish a Post Office Diversification Fund. The Government will conduct a public consultation on the scheme, drawing on the outcomes of recent (lively) parliamentary debate.
Describing the funding for Post Offices as a boost for local services in hard economic times, Mr Mather says:
‘This announcement demonstrates that the SNP is focused on protecting important frontline public services in these troubled economic times – even those controlled and often threatened by Westminster. £1 million is a substantial amount to help local post offices survive and offer additional activities in Scotland. Yet it is something Labour’s MSPs voted against in the Scottish Parliament vote.
‘It is a significant investment from the SNP Government at a time of difficult decisions being made by this Government and Parliament. While Labour have spent the last few years in Government closing post offices the SNP is working hard to keep them open and keep them profitable.
‘Post Offices play an important role in the life of some communities. As well as postal services, they can provide access to money and banking facilities, support for local shops and a hub for the community. This is reflected in the high value that the SNP and local people attach to the post office network.
‘The services provided by Post Offices to the whole community must be recognised and that is what the SNP Government is delivering with this boost.’
Argyll’s Westminster MP, Alan Reid, long a supporter of rural Post Offices in the region, has also welcomed the Diversification Fund, noting that this was negoated by the Scottish Liberal Democrats in the negotiations over the approval of the Scottish Budget.
Mr Reid says: ‘I welcome the £1 million Post Office Diversification Fund. I know from talking to sub postmasters and postmistresses throughout Argyll & Bute, that they are keen to expand and diversify their businesses, but have experienced difficulties accessing the cash to enable them to so.’