Campaigns against bank closures

As part of the work on this campaign we've been looking for examples of other areas in which people are campaigning against bank branch closures or the removal of ATMs.  Here is an example of a campaign going on over on the Wirral.  We've been in touch to see if there is anything they can help us with or vice versa.

December campaign meeting and next steps

Our December planning meeting took place yesterday (thanks to the IM Marsh campus for the room).

The group agreed some more letter writing and research jobs, and to meet again to move the campaign to the next stage in Spring.

We are still keen to hear from organisations that want to get involved, or have a say.

If you represent a group that wants to help, or to get more information, please let us have your contact details.

You can post them in the comments section of the blog, or drop an e mail to paula.keaveney@liverpool.gov.uk and she will pass them on.

Over the last couple of months we've sent out several lobbying letters to companies and individuals.  As we get responses, we'll keep this blog updated.

Motion to Council Committee on ATMs - 1 Dec

A motion, to enlist some extra help from the City Council, for the campaign is being discussed at a Committee meeting on Wednesday (1st December).  The Council has some resources, including communications channels, that hopefully can be used to help with what we are trying to achieve.

The text of the motion is below

Access to Cash Notice of Motion by Councillors Paula Keaveney, Peter Millea, Ron Gould

Committee notes that in the UK nearly 40 percent of ATMs (cash machines) charge a fee to users who want to draw out money. The fees range from £1 50 to £2 00 per withdrawal.

Committee further notes that there are parts of the City in which, because of the withdrawal of banks or for other reasons, people have to travel long distances to find a cash machine that does not charge.

Committee agrees that this is a particular problem for those on low incomes who may not have their own transport to easily get to a non charging ATM.

Committee notes that there are localised community campaigns, such as one in the Cressington and Mossley Hill area, that are working to lobby for more free ATMs. This campaign is the brainchild of a local resident and currently has active support from the councillors in both wards. The initial problem was caused by the withdrawal of a bank from the Aigburth Road area and Councillors are currently pressing the bank to make good the lack of a cash machine.

Committee believes that no one should be without the means of withdrawing their own money without being penalised.

Committee therfeore calls on the relevant cabinet member to take the following steps to ensure that there is no part of Liverpool that is not served by a non charging ATM.

* organise research to provide a map of ATM provision in Liverpool, thus identifying areas of particular need

* work with district committees to support localised campaigns to ensure more non charging ATMs

* work with other organisations, including those representing retailers, to lobby for more non charging ATM sites

* use existing communications channels including City Magazine and the council's website to seek views on potential sites for ATMs

Committee further calls on the relevant cabinet member to organise a submission to the Commission on Banking about the need for non charging ATMs and the harm that can be caused when there is a lack.

Committee further calls on the Liverpool Poverty Commission to ensure that the provision of non charging ATMs is an item on its work programme

Information about all the Council's committee meetings (including agendas and minutes) can be found at http://www.liverpool.gov.uk/

Campaign Meeting confirmed

Our Campaign planning meeting is confirmed for 3pm on Friday 3rd December.  This one isn't a big public meeting.  It's for individuals already involved in getting the stuff together or for representatives of organisations who want to help us.  If you aren't already involved but think you'd like to come to this meeting to represent your organisation or because you want to volunteer to help with the research etc, please give us your contact details and we will forward on the venue information.  You can post information in the Comments section or e mail paula.keaveney@liverpool.gov.uk

Campaign meeting next month

We're planning a meeting next month (in early December) to take our campaign forward.  We're particularly looking for representatives from organisations in South Liverpool that want to get involved or individuals who are prepared to help.  There'll be quite a bit to do, including sorting out lobbying meetings and carrying out research.

We're already in touch with some of the organisations who have pledged to get involved.  But if you want to get involved yourself, or know of an organisation that might want to pitch in, please let us know and let us have contact details.

You can post the information in the comments section here.  If you would rather not publish this to everyone, please e mail Paula at paula.keaveney@liverpool.gov.uk and she'll make sure you get kept in the loop

Campaign Letter in Liverpool Echo

We've had a letter published in the Liverpool Echo asking for help in the campaign.  You can link to it here,

You may need to scroll down a bit to see it. 

BLOG STILL BEING BUILT

PLEASE NOTE - WE WILL BE ADDING SEVERAL EXTRA ITEMS TO THIS BLOG OVER THE NEXT WEEK OR SO - INCLUDING MORE LINKS AND MORE CAMPAIGN UPDATES.  PLEASE KEEP CHECKING BACK

Campaign update

As part of the Campaign we have started contacting possible locations for free ATMs in South Liverpool.
Most recently a letter has gone to Merseytravel asking about the possibility of using Cressington Station as somewhere that could host one.  Neil Scales, head of Merseytravel, has agreed to look into this.  We'll post again to update on whether this is a possibility.

We are very keen to hear ideas about specific locations we can approach.  If you have any ideas, do please let us know by posting in the comments section or by e mailing paula.keaveney@liverpool.gov.uk.  Paula will pass on ideas to the campaign team.

Latest figures

A report in the Daily Mail this week says taht nearly 40 percent of the UK's ATMs charge people to get their money out.  And there's a trend of free machines in places like stations being replaced by fee charging machines. 

Cash deserts in South Liverpool.

Do you think you should be able to get money out of your bank without paying heavily for the priviledge? So do we.  We are a group of people. residents, Councillors, representatives of local organisations etc who are trying to get more free ATMs into South Liverpool.  We know this isn't just a South Liverpool problem  but this is where we are based and so where we are working.

We are doing research on the issue, which will will publish.

We are also looking for organisations to work with.

If you represent an organisation in South Liverpool and you are in an area where this is a problem for you, please post your details and we will get in touch.