Gwenda Thomas AM and Peter Hain MP Joint Statement on the proposed closure of Post Offices in Neath for submission to Post Office Ltd.

NEATH AM GWENDA THOMAS has been working closely with NEATH MP Peter Hain to fight for the future of the Post Offices under threat in the Neath area.

The public voiced their opinion in the meeting organised by Cllr. Doreen Jones in Aberdulais. Meetings have also taken place regarding the other Post Offices under threat such as Cwmgors and Maesyffynnon and numerous people have contacted both our offices. The Post Office officials have been made aware of the practical problems resulting from their closure programme as well as the social cost of the cutting of services.

Post Offices are at the heart of the community and if they are lost it will be sorely felt.

The Post Office Development Fund has done a lot in the past to improve Post Offices and we are pleased that this will resume in about six months time.

We will also press for the Post Office management to look at alternative options where the sub post master or mistress does not wish to continue. This could be installing Post Office facilities in other premises or existing premises as in Aberdulais. We stand ready to lobby the UK Government should this prove necessary given the need to provide an accessible facility for the people of Aberdulais. The needs of the elderly and disabled must be of paramount importance.

We will jointly lobby the Minister for Social Justice and Local Government so that the favourable terms which Post Offices receive under the Small Business Rate Relief scheme will be extended to those premises which agree to undertake postal services in place of closed Post Offices.