Written - Consultation on a refocused Post Office Development Fund

The Welsh Assembly Government has a One Wales commitment to reinstate a refocused Post Office Development Fund (PODF). I have announced that the new fund will be open from 1st January 2009. Today I am issuing a twelve week consultation which sets out some proposals about the type of support that the new fund could provide and asks for views on the types of improvements that could be funded.

The scheme is intended to help sub postmasters and sub postmistresses diversify their businesses by providing funding for such things as businesses and marketing advice, advertising, training and some set up costs for new services. For this reason we may call the new fund ‘The Post Office Diversification Fund’. The new fund could also pay for physical improvements to Post Office premises which are not funded by Post Office Ltd.

We have always recognised the social and community value of post offices, particularly in relation to supporting vulnerable people in our most isolated and most disadvantaged communities and in addressing financial inclusion. We want to see post offices thrive so that they can continue to provide an essential service in the community they serve. The proposals I have set out today for the refocused PODF will help achieve this aim. A copy of the consultation is attached and I look forward to seeing responses.