Glastonbury council seeks compensation from Royal Mail

Concerns have been raised over delays in the delivery of the Neighbourhood Plan survey, with the council seeking financial compensation from Royal Mail. Glastonbury Town Council has also extended the consultation deadline to Monday, September 30.

The consultation offers residents, retailers, and business owners a chance to share their views on how the town should develop in the future. However, distribution issues caused by Royal Mail have led to significant delays, with many residents still waiting for their surveys.

Councillor Serena Roney-Dougal expressed frustration over the situation, recounting a conversation with a local resident: “I met one person at Windmill Hill, and she was really concerned because she’d only just got hers and it was past the sell-by date. I still haven’t received mine at Windmill Hill, and I’ve been told that quite a number of other people have still not received theirs.”

Town clerk Conor Ogilvie-Davidson confirmed the council’s efforts to address the issue, stating: “We have extended the closing date of the survey to take into account that there are some late deliveries. We have contacted Royal Mail and lodged a formal complaint. I did have a reply today that I was not content with. It basically admitted that there was a problem and said, ‘sorry, we won’t do it again.'”

Despite the extended deadline, concerns remain that some residents may be unaware of the changes. Councillor Roney-Dougal stressed: “We might have extended the date and all the rest of it, but the people who are receiving them don’t know that.”

She also noted the challenges faced by residents without internet access: “A lot of people aren’t online. There’s a lot of older people in Glastonbury who are not online and rely on the newspaper. Maybe we should put a notice in the Somerset Gazette.”

Mr Ogilvie-Davidson acknowledged the suggestion but highlighted the limitations: “I could try and get it out to the papers, but it’s completely up to the editor what they publish. But we can try.”

In addition to the logistical challenges, the council is seeking financial compensation from Royal Mail to cover the costs of printing and redistributing the surveys.

Mr Ogilvie-Davidson explained: “I went back and said this has had a material impact on the statutory consultation process, and you’re going to incur further costs to make sure we try and reach residents who haven’t had it through their letterbox. We spent a lot of money having that delivered, and I expect financial compensation.”

The delays have affected all of Glastonbury, with surveys intended to be delivered between August 12 and the end of the month. “It’s not just one delivery route that’s been affected; it’s the entirety of Glastonbury,” Mr Ogilvie-Davidson added.

The council is now awaiting a response from Royal Mail regarding potential compensation.

The Neighbourhood Plan consultation is a crucial part of shaping the future of Glastonbury, addressing important issues such as land development, housing, employment, and the preservation of historic sites. Residents can still participate in the online survey through the extended deadline, and efforts are underway to ensure that those without internet access are also informed.

For those wishing to take part in the consultation, the survey is available online at Glastonbury Neighbourhood Plan Survey.