Plan to strengthen Sheffield post office Network

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A plan has been approved to strengthen post offices in Sheffield and return them to the "heart of the community".

Sheffield City Council and the Post Office Ltd have agreed a pilot project to improve services and reflect more what people need.

The council said it was the first of its kind and could be used as a model for the rest of the country.

Council leader Paul Scriven said it was a "win win situation" and would be better for post offices and customers.

The aim of the project, which will run as a pilot for 12 months, is to make post offices the place in community to access public services, both national and local.

The council said an example would be enabling people to pay council tax and rent in any of the city's 78 post offices rather than being limited to one office in the city centre.

Mr Scriven said: "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 post offices which will see more work going through them, meaning they have a more secure and long-term future.