CAMPAIGNERS will today come face-to-face with Post Office bosses at a meeting in Barnsley over plans to close a number of branches across the borough.
Both camps will give representations at Barnsley Council's Regeneration Scrutiny Commission meeting at the Town Hall this afternoon.
The Post Office is currently carrying out a consultation on their plans to close 14 branches out of sixty one in B
arnsley. This is part of national cuts due to a downturn in the number of people using their local post office.
Affected outlets include Pontefract Road, Cudworth; Midland Road, Royston; Brierley Road and Cemetery Road in Grimethorpe; Everill Gate Lane, Wombwell; Cemetery Road, Hemingfield and West Street, Hoyland.
The Commission will examine the closure plans and hear from representatives of the Post Office, Postwatch, and Help The Aged.
A local campaign group, Communities Against Post Office Closures and Barnsley MPs will also present their views.
Councillor Dick Wraith, Chair of the Regeneration Scrutiny Commission, said: "The commission intends to examine why the specific Post Offices chosen are to be closed, what effect that will have on people and communities, and are the alternatives suggested by the Post Office suitable.
"The closure of these offices is an emotive topic. The role of Post Offices has changed, the financial climate continues to change and people's requirements change over the years, and it is up to the commission to take evidence on all these matters and more before making its recommendations.
We will weigh up all the evidence and, if there are specific examples where we feel there has been any error or oversight, we will challenge it."
The meeting will start at 1pm and is open to members of the public.
The full article contains 305 words and appears in South Yorkshire Times newspaper.
