Plans to bail out threatened post offices in Brighton and Hove with council tax money have been backed by councillors from across the political spectrum.

Brighton and Hove City Council leader Brian Oxley revealed this week he is carefully watching proposals in Essex to keep post offices open with council funding and has asked officers to look into costs.

Essex County Council has revealed plans to spend up to £18,000 a year subsidising each of its 15 branches facing the axe.

It hopes the £1.5 million investment over three years will lead to branches becoming self-sufficient.

City Green and Labour councillors have backed the proposals and Liberal Democrat politicians are now asking for the council to look into using the two cash offices it is closing as post offices as well.

Labour councillor Gill Mitchell and Green councillor Bill Randall have both put items on the agenda for the council's next policy and resources meeting to discuss whether the city could emulate Essex's plans.

Councillor Randall said: "Essex County Council is happy to share its ideas with other authorities and is talking to around 15 other councils.

"I would like to propose that Brighton and Hove City Council should open negotiations with both Essex County Council and Post Offices Ltd to explore a similar plan to keep our threatened post offices open."

Councillor Mitchell said: "In light of the recently announced post office closures within the city, it is important to try to find new and innovative ways to ensure that these vital services are not lost."

The Liberal Democrats believe cash offices at Priory House in Bartholomew Square, Brighton, and at Hove town hall, which are due to close, could be transformed into post offices.

Councillor Paul Elgood said: "We all know how popular post offices are, with the remaining offices often having long queues.

"The buildings are ready made for a post office and any business operating there could have the added bonus of the high number of people who already use the existing office to pay bills in cash.

"If councils such as Essex County Council can look at subsiding post offices then Brighton and Hove could go one step better and help provide space for such a service to operate from.

"In doing so, we could keep a vital community lifeline for many residents to continue to pay their bills in cash. It seems common sense to me."

Lewes District Council is already in talks with Post Office Ltd to save two branches.

Scores of councils are now considering following in Lewes and Essex's footsteps as 2,500 post offices face closure across the country.

West Sussex County Council is investigating whether it could use municipal buildings, like libraries, to open new branches.

Post Office Ltd has confirmed it is to shut 17 branches in West Sussex and six in Brighton and Hove. Another 25 in West Sussex could also be axed.

In East Sussex 18 post offices are to close while a further four are at risk.

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