The SubPostmaster Magazine

More documents

Info

News roundup Two Non-Executive Directors re-elected and nominations invited for Midland Region vacancy Nominations to elect Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) for the NFSP’s South East and North West Regions closed on 10 March. With only one nomination for the South East and North West Regions respectively, Mr Sajjad Hussain (SE) and Mr Tim Boothman (NW) have been re-elected. The terms of office for the roles will be from June 2024 to June 2027. Midland Region A vacancy now exists for a Non- Executive Director to represent the Midland Region. The period of office shall be to June 2027. Nominations are invited from NFSP members/Organisational Representatives (OR) to be appointed as Non-Executive Director for the Midland Region. An OR exercises company membership rights, including the right to be elected as a Non-Executive Director, of his/her nominating member (e.g. voting at AGM); each member must appoint an OR. Details and a form to appoint your OR are available from NFSP Headquarters. Nomination forms (also available from NFSP Headquarters) must be submitted with an election address to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) by 5pm on Tuesday 30 April 2024. As a guide, the election address should be approximately 350 words. The Tim Boothman (left) and Sajjad Hussain nomination form must be completed and signed by the person nominated and the proposer and seconder, who must also be NFSP members/ORs. If more than one nomination is received, it will be necessary to hold a ballot. If this is the case, election addresses will be circulated, along with ballot papers, to the members of the Midland Region. There will be a pre-election discussion to ensure that the candidate is fully aware of the responsibilities and expectations they are taking on. If they are successful, an induction and training day will take place soon afterwards. Civica Election Services will act as the Independent Scrutineer for the election and also the Independent Person to distribute ballot papers. They will prepare ballot papers and distribute them by post to all members in the region by Friday 31 May 2024. Completed ballot papers must be received by Civica Election Services no later than 10am on Saturday 15 June 2024. If an election is not necessary, the name of the elected Non-Executive Director will be published in the June edition of The SubPostmaster. If a ballot is held, the results will be notified to the CEO, and the person elected will be published in the August edition of The SubPostmaster. NEW ROLE SET TO BE TRIALLED IN THREE REGIONS The NFSP is looking for individuals to fulfil the role of Regional Co-ordinator in three regions, North East, South East and South West, as part of a trial which was approved at the March Board Meeting to reinvigorate interest in member engagement. The role would require the individual to be a member in the specific area and be able to spare at least one day a week to manage the region in conjunction with the regional Non-Executive Director (NED). This would be a paid role within the NFSP. You would be required to: Have regular meetings with the NED. Arrange and set an agenda for all regional meetings. Organise and liaise with a group of volunteers (committee) to arrange local meetings on a regular basis within the region. Re-imburse from regional funds claims submitted by volunteers when on official business. Anyone interested in applying for these roles can send a brief synopsis of your experience and why you would be suitable to admin@nfsp.org.uk by Tuesday 30 April. Interviews will be held soon after that date and successful applicants will be notified as soon as possible. NFSP FINANCIAL STATEMENT NFSP financial statements for the year ending 30 September 2023 The NFSP's financial statements for the year ending 30 September 2023 will be on our website by the end of April. To view these, visit our homepage www.nfsp.org.uk 8 The SubPostmaster April 2024
Network Transformation investigation The NFSP launched an investigation in February to support any colleagues who feel they were encouraged by Post Office Ltd (PO) to convert under Network Transformation to either a Main or a Local and that decision has been to their detriment. More than 160 colleagues have already come forward and we have started to collate the information and will then work with solicitors to determine the next steps. The NFSP believes there could be hundreds more who are no longer part of the network. If you believe you may have been wrongly encouraged to convert, please scan the QR code (right) and complete the form. Network Transformation 1 took place from 2012 to 2014, Network Transformation 2 was from 2015 to 2018, and Hard to Place has been ongoing since 2018. Meeting with the DBT The NFSP met with the Department of Business & Trade (DBT) last month. The NFSP asked questions around the new Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill which had its first reading on Wednesday 13 March. Whilst welcomed, concern was raised about what impact and or delays a spring General Election would have for this bill and for those who are waiting to have their names cleared and compensation paid. Concern was also raised that victims of the Department for Work and Pensions convictions are outside the scope of the bill as are the families of the victims who have suffered as well. Whilst it is welcome that victims will have their convictions overturned, access to compensation must be simple and at pace. We also highlighted those who operated the PO-supplied Capture programme prior to the introduction of Horizon and if anyone has evidence of issues to please come forward to the NFSP. Unfortunately, this only applies in England and Wales and excludes Scotland and Northern Ireland at this point. The NFSP has written to the First Minister and Lord Advocate of Scotland and their counterparts in Northern Ireland on this issue. The administration of the new scheme will be dealt with by the DBT. We raised our concern about the difficulties the Courts have had in the past and the Inquiry is having at present in gaining full disclosure from PO, because it is imperative that these victims have unfettered access to their justice and compensation. Discussions around the commercial relationship between Royal Mail and PayPoint were held and the potential impact this may have on the future viability of PO and the network. A broader discussion was also held on the improvement in governance of PO to address the required change in culture. ROYAL MAIL’S PARTNERSHIP WITH PAYPOINT The NFSP wrote to Postal Affairs Minister Kevin Hollinrake after Royal Mail’s partnership with PayPoint was announced. The NFSP wants to ensure the long-term viability of PO and will discuss various issues with government. The NFSP has been highlighting for some time the need for the current Restrictions Policy that was introduced by PO in 2004, to be removed as it is no longer fit for purpose. From Tuesday 2 April, the price of 1st Class and 2nd Class stamps increased by 10p to £1.35 and £0.85 respectively. Prices also increased across most other services, while RM’s Tracked 24 and 48 products are to be introduced in-branch. The NFSP says: “Royal Mail keep pushing prices up, but their efficiency does not improve. That has a knock-on detrimental effect on the network.” The NFSP welcomes the change in legislation announced in February which will exonerate hundreds of postmasters who were convicted in the Horizon scandal. The new legislation was announced by Postal Affairs Minister Kevin Hollinrake and is expected to come in by the end of July, but only applies to convictions in England and Wales. It will quash all convictions made ‘by a set of clear and objective criteria’. The legislation does not include prosecutions made by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), nor any victims in Scotland or Northern Ireland. The NFSP wants to see a UK-wide legislation put in place immediately to ensure all victims are exonerated and compensated as soon as possible. Kevin Hollinrake April 2024 The SubPostmaster 9
Page 1: THE THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE NAT
Page 4 and 5: Comment CEO Calum Greenhow THE PAST
Page 6 and 7: News roundup Post Office Ltd announ
Page 10 and 11: NFSP Interview Sue Bruce, of Hartin
Page 12: NFSP Interview only way that we wou
Page 15 and 16: PUDO TECHNICAL SUPPORT AMAZON Since
Page 17 and 18: BREAKOUT SESSIONS This year we’ve
Page 19 and 20: anch back to the district. “I app
Page 22: The NET update APRIL UPDATE FROM TH
Page 26 and 27: Post NFSP Office Member community i
Page 29 and 30: Helpline and press option 1. HR4UK
Page 31: NFSP RETAIL PARTNERS ACCESSORIES Em

The SubPostmaster Magazine

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?