THE SUBPOSTMASTER - JUNE ISSUE

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Your letters “More needs to be done to cover postmasters’ operational costs” and other factors. Whilst these announced increases and potential increases are more than welcome, what is needed is new profitable products and services as well as the flow through from improvements in head office cost control and the reduction of other backoffice costs. A recognition by PO that postmasters operate businesses and need sufficient advance information upon which to plan for the future, which might include, for example, improvements to post office layout, decor and staffing levels is required. Cash flow is a major element in this planning. Profit is one thing, but cash flow is so important. Whilst steps to improve postmaster remuneration are welcome, more needs to be done to cover operational costs to ensure that postmasters themselves receive adequate compensation for their hard work. Why the difference in commission? Local branches do the same work as Main branches so when will they be paid the same commission? For example, does Post Office Ltd get paid the same for a 1st class parcel if it has been sent from a Main or a Local? If so, why is there a difference in commission? Zafar Rushnaiwala Holts PO POST OFFICE REPLIES Paul Liddiard, Head of Postmaster Remuneration Development, writes: Thank you for your questions. It is entirely normal in a large-scale franchise business that there might be differing contracts for franchisees in different circumstances. Contract requirements for Main branches and Local branches are different and as such, on many products, attract differing levels of remuneration. The core differences are the requirements for Main branches to provide HR4UK Quarter page ad June 2024 SPM.pdf 7 22/05/2024 13:26 dedicated areas of the branch to Post Office activities, including dedicated queuing areas, and also the need for dedicated staff. In “Contract requirements for Main branches and Local branches are different” contrast, Local branches will usually be set up to share both space and staff between the post office and retail parts of the business. C M Y CM MY CY CMY K HR *You must be logged into the members’ area of the NFSP website. Understanding Casual Worker Agreements Casual worker agreements offer valuable flexibility for UK businesses but come with their set of challenges. Employers must carefully consider the legal framework and ensure they maintain fair, transparent practices. Scan the QR code to read our full article.* 30 The SubPostmaster June 2024
Main branches also tend to have a higher cash throughput and therefore have greater security requirements. Main branches will also often be located in city or town centre locations where rent and rates costs tend to be higher. They are also expected to deal with a wider variety of products that require a greater level of training. We do review the differences in remuneration rates as part of our “Use of the term ‘franchise’ is misleading when applied to postmaster contracts” annual strategic remuneration review and will continue to do so. MEMBERS’ EDITOR REPLIES Thanks to Zafar Rushnaiwala for raising the age-old question about the remuneration differences between Main and Local post offices, and to Paul Liddiard for his explanation. This question is often raised in meetings with both PO and the NFSP but rarely have I seen it explained in print. I have to declare an interest here – I own a Main office – and appreciate Paul’s rationale, though I don’t necessarily accept all of it. I would point out that I, like I think all independent postmasters, have an agency not a franchise agreement with PO. The use of the term ‘franchise’ is misleading when applied to postmaster contracts. Yes, Main offices tend to be self-contained post offices with a basic retail offering, usually cards, gifts, and stationery. They are situated on high streets which attract high rents and business rates and being predominantly in urban areas, need to pay higher wages to attract and retain staff. Historically, many have replaced Directly Managed or Crown offices. Local post offices on the other hand tend to be co-located as a category in a convenience store where they compete for space with the groceries, the off-licence, and other offerings. Whether a Main or Local post office branch or other model, to earn their place in a local village “More remuneration is needed to ensure the survival of all post offices” convenience store or on a busy high street the message to PO and the Government must be that more remuneration is needed to ensure the survival of all post offices, whatever the model. Readers of The SubPostmaster magazine might like to write in to offer their take on the various models of post office that PO are including in their statistics in the quest to maintain a network of 11,500 offices. We look forward to hearing from you. On a personal note, I am moving on after being Members’ Editor since 2015 and occasional contributor for over three years. I am leaving you in the excellent hands of Tim Allen and Jon Bumphrey, who were elected at the recent AGM/ Annual Conference. Tim and Jon will be sharing this role in the coming months, and I am sure they will offer a fresh perspective on your letters in the future. Many thanks to all who have written in over the last nine years. It’s been interesting reading them and PO’s replies. Last but not least, please keep sending those letters and emails. The members’ editors would welcome your letters, e-mails or messages. You can contact us by post or email. Send a letter to: SubPostmaster Magazine Letters Evelyn House 22 Windlesham Gardens Shoreham-by-Sea BN43 5AZ Tel: 01273 452324 e-mail: thesubpostmaster@nfsp.org.uk June 2024 The SubPostmaster 31
Page 1 and 2: THE THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE NAT
Page 3 and 4: Contents THE THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL O
Page 5 and 6: It was therefore important to resta
Page 7 and 8: Wide-ranging meeting with PO The NF
Page 9 and 10: OUTREACH PROVISION Post Office Ltd
Page 11 and 12: specialist helplines such as cash m
Page 14 and 15: The NET update JUNE UPDATE FROM THE
Page 16 and 17: Conference 2024 Monday morning of C
Page 18 and 19: Conference 2024 THE FUTURE IN FOCUS
Page 20 and 21: Conference 2024 WORKING TOGETHER FO
Page 22 and 23: Conference 2024 Postmasters spoke p
Page 24 and 25: NFSP mails support GETTING MAILS SE
Page 26 and 27: Retail Post Office in focus COMMUNI
Page 28 and 29: Retail Post Office in focus system
Page 32 and 33: Ben Fund quarter page horizontal ad
Page 34 and 35: Planning ahead HERE COMES THE SUN
Page 36: New range launch! TOYS IPS Retail a

THE SUBPOSTMASTER - JUNE ISSUE

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