The Meltham Post Office dispute is on its way to being resolved says the man responsible for running it.

The office is operated by the Carlile Institute Community Interest Company on Huddersfield Road building, but two Post Office staff walked out last week in protest at HMRC tax and stationery bills and alleged issues involving staff payments, holiday entitlements and pension scheme.

Richard Noon, postmaster for the branch and a director of Meltham Community PO Limited, which was created when the service moved in 2014, said: “The debt to the HMRC has been paid and the amount we owe to the stationery provider is in hand – everything will be paid.

“It’s unfortunate about what has happened regarding our stationery provider but we have found someone who can supply it to us cheaper.

“And concerning the other claims, staff will be getting sent a letter regarding those issues.”

Meltham Post Office, Carisle Street.

Mr Noon said that the company’s accounts will also be made public.

“People can access these anyway but we will make them public so that people can see nothing has been done wrong.”

The Post Office closed for one day on December 1 but has opened every day since then with the Post Office’s business manager Ivar Smethurst and drafted-in staff.

As previously reported, Mr Noon said that he and the Post Office business manager Ivar Smethurst had been in discussions with councillors about how to make the Post Office work for several months.

One Holme Valley North councillor, Charles Greaves of the Green and Valley Independent Group, stressed his and “other members of the Carlile Institute’s support for Mr Noon.

Clr Charles Greaves

“It’s a bit disappointing that this situation has happened as we had almost concluded the issues”, he said.

“Myself and other members of the Carlile Institute are supportive of the work Richard has done.

“Without his involvement there wouldn’t be a Post Office in Meltham to be talking about.

“He’s put a lot of time into this and I don’t know a project where it has gone alright– I don’t know what he could have done to make it better.

“We are on the home straight to ensure we can keep it for the future.”