Council leader Paul Scriven has already announced the Liberal Democrat-controlled authority will campaign to save all 16 branches facing the axe.

But his cabinet is also being asked to approve a strategy of how the council will respond should the closures go ahead.

In a report, council chief executive John Mothersole revealed four options:

n using libraries, community centres and housing offices to provide services in partnership with the Post Office

n looking at provision by third parties, including businesses, social enterprises or voluntary and community groups

n providing a mobile service for people who may find it difficult to travel further to an alternative site

n trying to maintain viability of remaining post offices by providing council and other public services at the branches to increase customers.

Mr Mothersole said: "Officers are currently examining experience elsewhere to explore options for retaining vital services in affected communities should post offices close.

"The council will press Post Office Ltd to agree in principle to a grace period for threatened post offices.

"This will allow the council and interested third parties to enter into a dialogue regarding implementation of alternative services in affected communities."

His report has looked at examples in other parts of the country where councils and community groups have stepped in to run post office services in areas where branches have been cut.

Mr Mothersole added closures of post offices could have "significant environmental impact", increasing traffic congestion as people who used to walk to their local branch get in their cars to travel further afield.

And he said the closures would "affect some of the most vulnerable people in our society who rely on their local post offices for access to basic services".

His report also recommends councillors continue to campaign against branch closures, work with community groups to ensure customers' voices are heard, and that the council conducts "rigorous analysis" of the impact of the closures.

But campaign group Sheffield Communities Against Post Office Closures, which will attend tomorrow's meeting, has claimed the council's report does not go far enough.

Spokesman Alistair Tice said: "It lacks the specifics that sub postmasters and Sheffield people need for this campaign to be successful. If the council really is going to work with local communities then sub postmasters need to know now if the council is going to put together the case to save their branch."



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