The Post Offices Advisory Group (POAG) is the new name for the Counters Advisory Group (CAG). The name has been modified in line with the Group’s desire to consider wider issues relating to the post office network. POAG meetings will be chaired by Consumer Focus Board member Roger Darlington, mirroring the role that the predecessor body, Postwatch, played in relation to CAG.
Consumer Focus is the body established by the Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007. It replaces Postwatch, Energywatch and the National Consumer Council. in accordance with its statutory obligations, Consumer Focus will take forward Postwatch’s role as the voice of the consumer in all post office matters to ensure that we as customers get the best possible service from the post office network.
Terms of reference
To identify and consider consumer concerns about issues affecting the Post Office Network and the consumer experience therein. While the aim of POAG is to promote the views, concerns and interests of all consumers, it will give particular regard to people with disabilities, the elderly, those on low incomes and people who reside in rural areas.
POAG is not a policy making body, but its views will make an important contribution towards the development of Consumer Focus policy and to the advice it gives to key stakeholders, including HM Government, current and future postal services regulators, and all other relevant bodies.
In addition to quarterly meetings the Group will promote and protect the interests of post office consumers through information gathering, shared research, seminars and lobbying government departments and relevant agencies. Where POAG members identify common cause, the Group will campaign jointly in the interests of Post Office consumers.
POAG comprises some of the UK’s leading consumer organisations including:
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Age Concern / Help The Aged
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Citizens Advice
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Commission for Rural Communities
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Federation of Small Businesses
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Local Government Association
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National Association of Local Councils
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National Federation of Women’s Institutes
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Postal Services Commission (Postcomm)
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Public Utilities Access Forum
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Royal National Institute of Blind People
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Rural Shops Alliance
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Townswomen’s Guild
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Rural Community Shops (formally ViRSA)
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Post Office Ltd & National Federation of Sub-postmasters will attend in an advisory capacity.
Document Download: Joint Statement Size: [349 KB] File Type: [.pdf]
Minutes 16 Dec 2009 (PDF 98KB)
Minutes 16 Sept 2009 (PDF 107KB)