My campaign for a full Banking Hub in Swanley continues. Whilst I was pleased that we were successful in obtaining certain banking facilities at the Swanley Post Office, and securing the Barclays fortnightly van visits at Swanley Market, the town and its residents still need and deserve a Banking Hub.
I provided an update earlier this year, where I said that whilst the previous guidance meant Swanley was unable to meet the current statutory criteria, and having argued for the criteria to be looked at again, a review of the whole topic of access to cash had been announced by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in order to create a new regulatory scheme.
Following this review, the new scheme is now in place and I am pleased that working alongside the excellent Swanley Town Council we have both lodged a request for a Banking Hub review. This is the just the start of the process, but you can be assured that I will do everything I can to support the town in obtaining these facilities.
At the same time as the new regime coming into force, I discovered that Sidcup has been awarded a Banking Hub. Whilst I am pleased for the people of Sidcup, I am incredibly angry that whilst we were being told we should wait for the new criteria to come into force to apply, Sidcup were invited by the FCA to pre-lodge an application, which was then granted on the first day of the new rules.
Bearing in mind one of the major reasons we did not get a Banking Hub previously was Swanley’s proximity to Sidcup, this is not fair. I have written to the FCA to demand a full explanation, and to make clear my expectation that the granting of a Hub for Sidcup should in no way undermine the case for Swanley.
This is a fight I refuse to give up on and I will not rest until we are successful. I will keep you updated.
