Lib Dems call on County Council to support threatened Post Offices

3.19.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 7th Dec 2007

Liberal Democrat councillors are concerned about the effect of post office closures

At a County Council meeting on Thursday 13th December, Liberal Democrat county councillors will propose that the County Council responds to the public consultation on the closure of twenty six post offices throughout Northamptonshire by supporting local communities in their fight to retain local post offices. Branches earmarked for closure include post offices at Grafton Underwood, Stoke Albany, Weekly and at Hawthorn Road, Kettering.

Lib Dem councillor Richard Church will say: ""Post Offices, a local Shop, a Primary School, and a local Pub form the heart of local communities whether they are in rural villages or in urban areas, local communities need all of these facilities. The County Council has particular responsibility for the needs of elderly, disabled and vulnerable people, the very people particularly depend on a local post office which they can easily get to and where they will be known to the staff.

"The loss of the local post office removes for many people the heart of the community and the whole community suffers when a post office closes. I hope all political parties will unite behind this motion and oppose these closures."

ENDS.

Note: The text of the Liberal Democrat motion reads as follows:

"Council notes with alarm and concern the proposals of Post Office Ltd. for the closure of a further twenty six post offices throughout Northamptonshire.

Council calls upon the Chief Executive and the Leader of the Council to respond to the public consultation by opposing these closures and to support local communities in their fight to retain their local post offices."