Rates relief for rural ATMs necessary - O'Loan

SDLP North Antrim MLA Declan O'Loan says access to local ATMs is now a measure of the quality of life in rural areas.
By The Newsroom
Published 4th Mar 2010, 09:02 BST
Updated 8th Mar 2010, 11:51 BST

His comments came in the Assembly last week during a debate on continued rates exemption.

Mr O’Loan said: “There is a natural reluctance to take ratepayers’ money and give it to the banks, which have not been conspicuous in displaying their social conscience. However, it is right to support measures which can improve access to ATMs because it is quite simply an aspect of the quality of life of people in rural areas.

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“We also know that for every 10 withdrawn from a rural ATM, 6.30 will be spent locally.

“The banks say that rates relief is unlikely to be decisive in locating an ATM, but may well be when it comes to retention,” said Mr O’Loan.

The rural ATM network has grown by 16% since it was introduced, and at a cost of about 80,000 a year it seems reasonable value for money.

“We currently have a flat rate of relief for all ATMs, but ratepayers are in fact subsidising some machines which charge them for withdrawals.

“This may be an aspect that should be looked at again,” he said.