The Cabinet Office code of practice on consultation applies to Government Departments and agencies. As required by the code, the Government consulted for 12 weeks on their proposals for the post office network.
Post Office Ltd’s six-week local public consultations on its area plans are not on the principle of whether there should be post office closures and new outreach services, but on how such changes are to be implemented at the local level. This was made clear in the letter sent to MPs in July which said,
“As you will understand, the consultation in respect of the Local Area Plan will not concern the principle of the need for change of the Network, nor its broad extension and distribution. Rather consultation will be seeking representations on the most effective way in which Government policy—as set out in the Response Documents—can be best implemented in the particular Area in question”.
Before these local public consultations begin, Post Office Ltd seeks detailed input from Postwatch, local authorities and sub-postmasters in developing its proposals.