Talking Retail Grocery and product news for independent retailers
The scheme, which opened on 1 May, closes to applications at midnight today (14 August), but potential applicants have been reminded that if they feel they have special circumstances which have delayed application beyond the closing date they should get in touch with the scheme at historicalshortfallscheme@postoffice.co.uk as soon as possible.
The Historical Shortfall Scheme followed the agreed settlement last year of group litigation between Post Office and 555 mainly former postmasters and is part of a major programme addressing past issues and reforming the Post Office for the future.
The Post Office has also discovered another historical weakness in its stock processes for stamps. It said: “Whilst this process has been corrected, this additional review found that Post Office’s stamp stock procedures had the potential to produce cash surpluses or shortfalls for postmasters in certain circumstances and, in some cases involving a shortfall, that there may not have been an equivalent loss to Post Office.
“In these circumstances, it is right that steps are taken to provide a redress mechanism for postmasters who believe they may have been disadvantaged by this weakness in the old stock control process. To this end, a new scheme, modelled on the Historical Shortfall Scheme, is being finalised and full details will be communicated to current and former postmasters in the near future. It will, of course, also be open to those who have already applied to the Historical Shortfall Scheme, or who plan to do so.”
In addition, a new director, Declan Salter, has been appointed to implement the claims schemes and a programme of operational measures that help deliver the “reset” of the Post Office’s relationship with postmasters. He will report to Post Office chairman Tim Parker and chief executive Nick Read.
Read said: “We are making sure the mistakes of the past are fairly addressed for the people affected and can never happen again. We have made good progress with significant improvements for our postmasters.
“Declan’s appointment will ensure we maintain momentum as we balance the importance of dealing with the past with our responsibilities to the many thousands of postmasters who are currently providing vital services for our customers across the UK every day.”
Salter added: “I am pleased with the opportunity to lead the implementation of important measures to address past events in a fair, transparent way and reform the future with postmasters and customers at the heart of the transformation.”
The Post Office has, as part of the settlement measures, undertaken several measures to improve the support provided for postmasters, from initial recruitment and training, through to daily transaction accounting, with nearly 100 area managers providing personalised, individual support and dedicated teams to investigate for postmasters if they have concerns.
It has also increased postmaster remuneration by £20m a year, on top of the £17m increases secured for banking services through its new framework with the High Street banks, and set out detailed responsibilities and commitments for postmasters.
.
