The council has passed a motion urging the government to reconsider its decision to remove DVLA services from Post Offices – warning it could leave vulnerable residents excluded.

Members of Westmorland and Furness Council voted unanimously in favour of passing a motion calling on the government to renew the contract to provide DVLA services from post offices and ‘protect the vulnerable in our society’.

In June it was announced that The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) will end its contract with the Post Office at the end of March 2024.

Councillor Mark Rudhall (Penrith North, Lib Dems) moved the motion and called on other councillors to throw ‘our weight behind this’.

The motion states: “If the contract is terminated, the only option for buying DVLA services will be online. Vulnerable people and those who are not digitally minded will be excluded and will be impacted by this loss of service.”

“It would be detrimental to many residents and especially so in rural areas where internet service can be poor or non-existent. Also, miles from anywhere, the most reliable presence is often the post office and when you have a question that isn’t on the ‘FAQ’ list, you really are stuck”, the motion adds.

The National Federation of Sub Postmasters state the Post Office handles over six million DVLA transactions annually which contributes £3.2 million to postmaster renumeration.

According to the council motion the loss of the DVLA contract would cause post offices to suffer a ‘loss of business’ and would see less people coming into town centres which would have a ‘detrimental effect’ on local economies.

Cllr Rudhall urged other councils to write to the minister and added ‘we need to protect the vulnerable in our society’.

The chief executive will now write to the Secretary of State for Transport Mark Harper to urge him to reconsider the decision not to renew the contract.

The letter will also ask him to explain how vulnerable and digitally excluded residents and visitors in Westmorland and Furness are expected to renew their licences and pay their road tax.

Councillor Janet Battye (Levens and Crooklands, Lib Dems), said: “We showed the power of councillors and local people when we objected to the closure of ticket offices, and we did that because we listened to our local residents, and we supported them.

“We’re concerned about their vulnerability, and we want the continuation of personal services, I’m sure we’ll join together in supporting this motion and showing what we can do for local people.”

A DVLA spokesman said: “The Post Office currently provide a limited range of DVLA’s services and an extension to the current contract has recently been agreed until March 31, 2024.

“We want our customers to be able to access our services as quickly and as easily as possible, and the role of front office counter services will form part of the considerations of any future service offerings.”

Westmorland and Furness Council passed the motion at a council meeting on Thursday (November 23) at the County Hall in Kendal.