NFSP
Dear Post Office Limited,
This appears on the NFSP facebook page."The NFSP is the only organisation with which Post Office Ltd will discuss and consult on matters affecting subpostmasters including remuneration, terms & conditions and operational matters.Can you say if this is true and if so what is it that enables POL to act accordingly.Has POL satisfied themselves as to the validity and probity of the NFSP in all its dealings particularly concerning voting and membership rights?
Yours faithfully,
john o'sullivan
Dear Mr O'Sullivan,
Apologies for the delay in responding to you. I've provided your
questions/comments in italics, followed by the Post Office response.
“This appears on the NFSP facebook page. "The NFSP is the only
organisation with which Post Office Ltd will discuss and consult on
matters affecting subpostmasters including remuneration, terms &
conditions and operational matters. Can you say if this is true and if so
what is it that enables POL to act accordingly.”
I can confirm this is correct and reflected in Postmaster contracts.
Post Office does not discuss or consult with any other organisation that
represents Postmasters. As part of our ‘Ways of Working’ with the NFSP
and the updated Grant Framework Agreement, the NFSP will be (as part of
the Annual Grant Funding process):
(i) negotiating changes to remuneration on behalf of and for the
benefit of Postmasters;
(ii) challenging, reviewing and commenting on new or updated
POL-proposed policies or proposals on behalf of and for the benefit of
Postmasters;
(iii) representing its members, including in relation to disputes
with POL;
(iv) providing welfare and support to Postmasters,
in each case, in relation to Postmasters’ operation of Post Office
Branches and all business carried on by Postmasters on their own account
from Post Office Branch premises in accordance with their contract for the
operation of a Post Office Branch.
“Has POL satisfied themselves as to the validity and probity of the NFSP
in all its dealings particularly concerning voting and membership rights?”
Post Office are unable to help you and I suggest you contact the NFSP
directly regarding your question. NSFP can be contacted via their website
at the following contact page: [1]https://nfsp.org.uk/site/contact?id=6
Kind regards
Andy
Andy Jennings
Information Rights Team
Dear information.rights,Thank you for a reply.On 18/04/2022, 24/4/2022,27/5/22 and 18/6/22 I contacted the NFSP directly seeking information.To date they have neither replied or answered my questions.A High Court Judge ruled that the Post Office "effectively controls" the NFSP. Furthermore, "the NFSP is not remotely independent of the Post Office, nor does it appear to put its members’ interests above its own separate commercial interests."In the light of Justice Fraser's findings and the reluctance of the NFSP to reply can you tanswer my question?Is it not a scandal that three years on from the CIT both POL/NFSP continue the farce of claiming effective SPM representation.What is Sir Wyn going to make of it as he plots the changes and improvements POL has made in its dealings with SPM's?
Yours sincerely,
john o'sullivan
Dear Mr O'Sullivan,
Thank you for your email.
As advised on a number of previous occasions, unless you make a request for recorded information, we are unable to assist you further. We therefore have nothing further to add and consider this matter closed.
Kind regards
Andy
Andy Jennings
Information Rights Team
Dear information.rights,thank you for a reply.Forgive my persistance,like most SPM's and not a few legal people I see POL and NFSP as one and the same.But we learn and move on.Perhaps I could ask a specific question which you can treat as a new request.The NFSP had placemats thanking POL for sponsoring the 2022 Conference Dinner in Stratford.How much did it cost(THE DINNER NOT THE PLACEMATS) and what %of the bill did POL cover.What was POL's total spend to cover the NFSP Conference?
Yours sincerely,
john o'sullivan
Our ref: FOI2022/00428
Dear John O'Sullivan,
Thank you for your request for information which was received on 30th
June. Your request is being considered under the terms of the Freedom of
Information Act 2000.
The Act requires that a response must be given promptly, and in any event
within 20 working days. We will therefore reply at the latest by 29th
July.
Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future
communications.
Yours sincerely,
Liesl Jackson
Dear John O'Sullivan,
Please find attached the response relating to your Freedom of Information
request.
Regards,
Liesl Jackson
Information Rights Team
Ground Floor
Finsbury Dials
20 Finsbury Street
London
EC2Y 9AQ
Dear [email address],Thank you.In a week of suprise and joy this is a fantastic reply.
Yours sincerely,
john o'sullivan
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