Lancaster City Council joins Post Office pilot
Lancaster City Council has joined a national pilot to identify opportunities for Post Offices to deliver a wider range of public sector services.
In November 2010 the Post Office launched a year long partnership pilot with Sheffield City Council.
The aim was to look at how a closer working relationship could benefit both the Post Office, the council and customers.
The pilot ended in November 2011 and now, hoping to build on these experiences further, 24 more local authorities, including Lancaster City Council, have agreed to take part in a further pilot scheme.
As part of the pilot the two will work closely together to identify opportunities where the Post Office could deliver some services on behalf of public services locally.
Coun Eileen Blamire, leader of Lancaster City Council, said: “The Post Office is at the very heart of our communities and provides a vital service to both the public and to businesses.
“At the same time local councils such as ourselves and other public services need to be more efficient and it makes common sense for us to look at ways in which we can work together more closely.
“Delivering some services through Post Offices would not only provide a better service to the public, it could help to maintain a vital community resource.
“We have no preconceptions about which services the Post Office may be able to deliver on behalf of public services such as ourselves and what is right for one local area won’t be for another.
"The purpose of the pilot will be to explore what opportunities may be available and I very much look forward to seeing the outcome.”
Date Updated: 03/02/12