Meaford council is authorizing Bognor Hall to continue operating as a local post office.
During a meeting on May 9, a report was brought forward by Director of Community Services Matt Smith. The report follows a previous recommendation from Meaford’s committee of the whole to allow the hall to continue operating as a post office for as long as the Bognor Hall board wishes to continue the facility use agreement.
The report says council had initially approved the use of the hall as a post office on a 12 month trial basis in July 2021, where the board entered an agreement with the local postmaster.
The Bognor Hall board has since requested they be allowed to extend the facility use agreement with Canada Post.
The report says staff do not see any reason why the existing arrangement with Canada Post at Bognor Hall should not continue and agree the board should have the authority to enter into and terminate any facility use agreement when they see fit.
The report adds while the existing agreement does not expire until July 2022, staff understand there is an urgency as the agreement has to be with the local postmaster, and the previous postmaster recently resigned. A new postmaster has been secured until at least April 1, 2023.
A previous report identified the long-term potential of building an addition onto Bognor Hall for the post office, but no fundraising has taken place. Staff will, however, work with the board to determine long-term needs and report back to council on requested facility changes prior to any significant fund-raising efforts.
Any costs associated with the agreement will go through the Bognor Hall board budget.
Coun. Tony Bell voiced how he was in favour of having a local post office at Bognor Hall.
“Even with a presentation we had earlier today from Canada Post, they refer to rural post offices as being a hub,” says Bell.
