Councils chiefs have welcomed new guidelines from the Post Office about how local authorities can save branches which have been earmarked for closure. LGA chairman Sir Simon Milton said the new guidance, which was published by the Post Office last week, proved that pressure from his organisation and other councils ‘has finally paid off'. ‘Councils are committed to creating places where people can thrive,' said Sir Simon. ‘If the Post Office decides that a branch should be considered for closure then it is only right that local people and local councils are given the chance to find ways to save them.' The guidance provides councils and other groups with a framework that they can use with the Post Office to locally fund and run branches themselves. Sir Simon called on the Post Office to keep working with councils to help save more branches. Essex CC leader Lord Hanningfield, who has been campaigning to let councils save branches from closure, said: ‘Post offices are the heart of the community and the services they provide are more than just selling stamps and car tax, they provide a valuable social service.'
