The council has submitted a thorough report to justify maintaining the current network. Sheffield Communities Against Post Office Closures (SCAPOC) has been privileged to support major, high profile campaigns at Silverhill, Norfolk Park and Derbyshire Lane. They, along with other branches, have put forward strong cases to stay open for very different local reasons. Now we just have to wait for Post Office Ltd to confirm the final closures later in October.

Or do we? We know the petition to Downing Street will be simply brushed aside as those from other councils have. We also know that we cannot realistically expect that more than a couple of branches will be saved (with Post Office Ltd likely to add more branches to the list to meet their targets).

The upcoming decision is not going to meet the objective of saving all 16 branches but the Essex County Council route can. This would see the council provide support and assistance to keep branches operating within the community. Station Way in Buckhurst Hill, Epping reopened in September with the council now aiming to reopen 1 branch a month.

The "Essex model" now provides a blueprint for others to follow across the country. In addition a new local government service has been launched that will see a Community Information Point providing access to, and information about, local council services included in each re-opened branch.

Branch closures will happen in late November so there is no time to waste. Every day that a branch is closed will see business drift away and make a successful reopening more difficult. It will require financial support from the council over a 3 year period until branches can stand on their own two feet again. SCAPOC believes the council need to find the finance to pursue this opportunity to maintain the branch network. The economic downturn has hit the poor and the vulnerable hard ; they must continue to have a post office within walking distance for access to vital services.



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