Banking Hub Survey completes

The Lib Dem Administration at MVDC have been concerned about the loss of banks in our towns for several years, prompting a motion in January 2022 following which we wrote to the Chancellor to ask for the Financial Conduct Authority to be given further powers to prevent the closure of banks.  While that plea was ignored, we are not resting on our laurels, and recently asked Officers to carry out a consultation across the District for views on banking facilities.  This received over 2000 online responses, with 200 hard copy responses and a further separate petition.  The intention is now to review the responses and to potentially use these to support a ‘community bid’ for banking hubs in Leatherhead and Dorking.  The Council has already, at the urging of Members, contacted LINK, who assess banking needs in towns, and both Dorking and Leatherhead have been identified as suitable for a Deposit Service.  More details are being sought on what this means.

Cllr Clayton Wellman said, “The issue of bank closures has been a source of much concern for residents across the District and it is one that we echo.  The closure of banks impacts on so many elements of our society, including those unable to use the internet, the elderly, disabled and those on lower incomes.  We do not believe that it is acceptable that large market towns such as Leatherhead and Dorking should be expected to manage with just one building society to serve the whole community and look forward to the results of the consultation.”