Graeme and councillors Lloyd Melville and Julie Bell are pledging to seek the removal of obstacles to Monifieth and Kirriemuir joining Carnoustie in securing a Banking Hub.
Further to the successful opening of a new Hub in Carnoustie, there has been considerable interest in the same being provided to two other towns in Angus, neither of which has a bank.
On Monday (7 August) the three SNP politicians met with representatives of LINK Cash Access Team to explore this aspiration.
LINK is responsible for assessing a location’s needs after a bank or building society makes a change to its network, looking at what other services are available locally, the size of the location (people and number of shops) and determine whether the community needs a new hub.
A community can also request a review itself. LINK will then independently assess the needs of that community using the same criteria.
Unfortunately, LINK advised that neither Monifieth nor Kirriemuir meet the current criteria due to having too few cash retailers in the town centres and meeting the population requirement of 7000 adults.
Additionally, Monifieth is said to be too close in proximity to two banks in Broughty Ferry – although this is soon to be one as RBS close their branch.
In response the trio pointed out that the towns don’t just serve their immediate populations but also surrounding communities.
Kirriemuir serves as a hub for the Angus Glens and Monifieth provides services for communities like Wellbank. It is essential that this is considered when assessing their eligibility.
GRAEME
I also do not accept that proximity to Broughty Ferry should negatively impact the claims of Monifieth.
As such Cllr Bell, Cllr Melville and I will be writing to the relevant parties seeking a change of criteria for Banking Hubs so that rural towns like Monifieth and Kirrie can benefit from the initiative. Something we were told is being considered.
I welcomed the opportunity today to discuss with Graeme, Lloyd and the Cash Access team the possibility of banking hubs in Kirriemuir and Monifieth.
CLLR JULIE BELL
Kirriemuir serves a huge rural community with a wide range of small businesses and dispersed populations. I’m therefore hopeful we can gain some traction around a change in criteria to warrant further exploration of a suitable hub in Kirrie and I’m heartened this extension is already under consideration by the partners.
Monifieth is a strong contender for a new banking hub – indeed, the town has been without banking facilities for years.
CLLR LLOYD MELVILLE
With banks in neighbouring towns closing, the need for a new Banking Hub in Monifieth will become ever more pressing.
I look forward to working with both Graeme Dey MSP and Cllr Julie Bell to push for the changes to criteria which are required.
