1st June 2008

The Green Party is calling for the Council to give more support to Post Offices threatened with closure in a motion to be put to Full Council on June 4th.

The motion calls on the Sheffield City Council to investigate the social and
economic impact of post office closures on neighbourhoods. The Greens also want Council Officers to look at the examples of other councils like Essex, who are proposing to run post offices, and Hammersmith & Fulham, who have successfully opposed half the closures in their area.

Coun Bernard Little said, "Post offices are the life blood of local communities and businesses. Research by organisations such as the Federation of Small Businesses has shown the vital role they play in fostering community and helping support local shopping areas. But post offices have lost business due to changes in government policy, like no longer being allowed to sell TV licenses, and have been given no guarantee about future funding.

“In August Post Office Ltd will be putting forward its area plan, setting out
proposed closures for post offices in Sheffield. So we are also asking the
Council to work with the communities affected to provide a strong and detailed response to the area plan and to lobby government to provide the support the Post Office needs to flourish as a business.

"Post offices provide services to the most vulnerable in society. Keeping them open is a key part in breathing hope back into local communities. The Green Party is only too willing to work with all Parties and community groups to keep post offices as the centre of busy neighbourhoods."

ENDS