We will lead way strengthening post offices, says council leader

Sheffield Council has announced a new partnership with Post Office Ltd, the first of its type in the country, which it says will create a "thriving, sustainable network of Post Offices in the city."

A year-long pilot scheme is now set to be launched which will see the council, Post Office Ltd and the National Federation of Sub Postmasters working with members of the public and Sheffield's seven community assemblies to see what people want from the city's 78 Post Office branches. If successful, it is thought that the scheme – which will see Post Offices offering council services such as paying bills and rent – rolled out throughout the rest of the country.

Leader of Sheffield Council Coun Paul Scriven, said: "Post Offices play a vital role at the heart of our communities. That's why local people were outraged when the last Labour government closed thousands of them across the country in 2008, including 15 here in Sheffield.

"I'm delighted we have been able to agree this deal, which will see Sheffield leading the way on strengthening local post offices.

"These proposals will see us working together to put more public services through local Post Offices, therefore driving more business through them and making them more sustainable.

"What's more, local people will be able to have their say and affect which council and Government services are delivered right on their doorstep.

"It's a win-win for everyone and I'm delighted that the Government have backed Sheffield by selecting our city for this pilot.

"We will now be working over the next 12 months to ensure that the project is a success and establish – once again – Post Offices as a central point of our local communities."

Over the next year the scheme will build on the concepts behind the recently-announced coalition Government programme for Post Offices, which includes pouring in 1.3bn of extra funding over the next four years to reform the network.

Announcing the plans last month, Business Secretary Vince Cable said that 1.3bn would be used to "change the underlying economics" of the Post Office and "so reverse the years of decline and secure its long-term future."

He added: "There will be no programme of closures under this Government and the Post Office will be able to invest, improve its offer and win new revenue streams."

Under the new Government programme, buyers will be allowed to own up to 90 per cent of the Royal Mail, with at least 10 per cent of shares going to employees.

Coun Scriven said of the Sheffield scheme: "It's a win for local communities who will have more choice to do council and national government business at their local post office.

"It's a win for local Post Offices which will see more work going through them meaning they have a more secure and long-term future. And it's a win for the Council Tax payer who should also see cost savings from this change. Local people will be able to help to shape their local post office and the network.

"Local post offices will be the front door for many public services that at the moment people have to come into the city centre to use. Post offices will once again be at the heart of the community."

Earlier this year, Sheffield also became the first place in the country to reopen a closed-down Post Office under the management of a charity.

The new Darnall Post Office is run from the offices of Darnall Forum as a social enterprise, meaning that any profits are ploughed back into the community.

Chairman of Darnall Forum Sylvia Hamilton said: "This will no doubt be encouraging news to other community groups that may consider similar action."