COUNCIL leaders in South Gloucestershire are to give the Post Office a boost by handing over some of its services.

As of next year people wanting to pay their council tax, business rates or parking fines will be able to do so at their local post office.

South Gloucestershire Council confirmed at a meeting yesterday that it is closing the three cashier desks it has at offices in Thornbury, Yate and Kingswood, where people are currently able to make payments to the council.

Cllr Allan Higgs, cabinet member for corporate resources, said: "Not only will the extra business benefit our local post offices and shops, but encouraging the alternative use of these outlets will make it easier for our elderly and vulnerable residents to make cash payments, as residents tend to live nearer a post office or local shop, than they do to one of the council's three cash offices.

"We have mapped the location of post offices, payzones and paypoints across the district and they provide much greater coverage and convenience to our residents."

The closures, which are expected to happen next spring, will make the council a saving of £50,000.

However, the decision, which was made by the council’s Conservative-led cabinet, has been met with opposition.

Cllr Roger Hutchinson, leader of the Labour group at South Gloucestershire Council, said: "This is an awful decision which is being forced through by the Conservatives against strong opposition from the other parties.

"We pointed out that the council still handles almost 1,300 transactions a week across the three offices, that some of our most vulnerable citizens such as the elderly and the homeless will be most directly affected, and that having cash offices creates a more personal relationship between residents and the council.

"This is being done purely to save money, although the saving is just £50,000 a year. Never have so many been disadvantaged for so little."

Cllr Higgs said the council would now spend the next few months in talks with the Post Office and other local providers to work out the logistics of the scheme and raise awareness of the changeover.