Stamp out wasteful postage — Sykes

OLDHAM’S Liberal Democrat leader has hit out at Oldham Council for unnecessary postage costs as it tries to save £60 million.

Last week letters were sent to all council employees about a staff discount scheme.

Councillor Howard Sykes said: “While offering discounts to staff at a time when pay restraint is in place is welcome, is it really the best use of ratepayers’ money to incur the cost of an all-out mailing when councillors have their own postal pigeon-holes in the Civic Centre, and managers could distribute envelopes to staff by hand?

“While I recognise that stopping this mail-out would contribute only a small amount towards the massive budget savings we as a council have to make, it is indicative of a corporate mindset that doesn’t always think about the costs of carrying out actions.

“This lack of thought will have cost hundreds if not thousands of pounds when hidden costs as well as actual costs are added up. This really could have been a case of small change, big difference.”

Councillor Abdul Jabbar, cabinet member for finance and human resources, said: “Packs went out via second class post so the cost could be kept to a minimum but also to ensure staff and councillors received their cards directly.

“As the scheme is open to all council staff irrespective of location, school-based staff, foster carers, carers and elected members, the quickest and most direct way to do this was to post them out to home addresses.”