This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Funding for post offices in deprived urban areas
30/12/2002
Post offices in deprived urban areas are to receive £2
million in funding, it was announced today.
The Executive funding will be made available so that
non-post office services can be developed or improved. For
example, post offices could apply for funding for capital
improvements that enhance safety and accessibility. This
could include improving access for people with
disabilities, installing security systems such as CCTV and
up to date alarm systems and improving lighting.
The Executive is also keen to consider applications that
allow post offices to diversify and increase their
viability. This could include establishing an internet
service or increasing the sale of stationery and other
non-post office items.
Announcing the funding, Deputy Minister for Social
Justice Des McNulty said:
"Renewing and reviving deprived communities is at the
heart of our Community Regeneration Statement which we
published earlier this year. We want to ensure that these
vital community facilities remain accessible to all.
"Post offices provide socially important services and
facilities as well as acting as an anchor for other retail
activity in the community. I would encourage all eligible
post offices to apply for a slice of this funding."
Mervyn Jones from the National Federation Of
Subpostmasters said:
"We are delighted with this announcement. Subpostmasters
and their staff provide a very valuable service in many
areas which have severe social and economic problems. They
don't always get the recognition they deserve. Many work in
run down properties and under very difficult
circumstances.
"This money will help secure the long term future for
some of these Post Offices. Our members in Deprived Urban
Areas will be able to get help to improve their premises
and increase the range of products they offer. That can
only be of benefit for the customer".
Welcoming the announcement, CoSLA said:
"CoSLA supports the Executive's fund for post offices in
deprived urban areas and feels it compliments other funding
streams aimed at the post office network."
The objective of the fund to develop post offices in
deprived urban areas is to contribute to the regeneration
of deprived urban areas by sustaining and improving post
office branches on the margins of viability that provide
socially important services and facilities and that act as
an anchor for other retail activity.
The criteria for the fund are as follows:
* applicants are only permitted to make one application
for each Post Office branch they operate;
* there is no minimum grant, but the maximum grant that
can be awarded to a subpostmaster from this fund is £50,000
and
* funding is in the form of a one-off payment