Rescue plan to save post offices

The branches facing the axe were first announced in August

A £2.4m rescue plan is being put forward to save 15 post offices in Sheffield earmarked for closure.

The Post Office announced only the Wadsley Bridge branch would stay open out of 16 across the city due to shut in a bid to stem network losses.

Two city councillors are proposing the council use funds, which are as yet unallocated, to provide support and assistance to keep the branches open.

They will put forward a motion at a meeting of the full council later.

Residents and Sheffield City Council and have been fighting the closures since they were first proposed and the council has held talks with Post Office bosses.

'No tax impact'

The proposals being put forward by Labour leader Jan Wilson and Green councillor Bernard Little are based on a plan which has already been successfully pioneered by Essex County Council.

There the authority has set aside £1.5m with the aim of opening up to 15 branches which closed in the county.

Councillor Wilson said if the council was to support the plan it would not impact on council tax as the money identified to support the branches were currently unallocated in the general funds.

She said: "Sheffield people have told us how important their local post offices are to them and I think the council has a duty to do everything within its power to retain local services for residents.

"That's why we've come up with this comprehensive rescue package for local post office branches, supported by £2.4m investment.

"This money was recently received unexpectedly by the council, so will not have any impact on council tax."