Scottish Conservatives, Councillor Callum Purves and Liz Smith MSP, want answers on a range of issues from Bank of Scotland bosses following the decision to shut the Kinross branch.
The politicians are seeking a further meeting as quickly as possible with senior bank officials to discuss various unresolved matters after being told the branch will close its doors on March 22.
Councillor Purves and Liz Smith MSP last spoke to Bank of Scotland officials in September 2020, via a virtual meeting, when they highlighted how closing the Kinross branch would seriously impact local residents.
The Bank of Scotland granted a temporary stay of execution for the branch last year after Covid-19 swept across the country.
Commenting, Councillor Purves, who represents the Kinross-shire ward, said: “I am very concerned to hear that the Bank of Scotland is planning to close the Kinross branch when it looks like the lockdown will continue for months.
“The closure of the Kinross branch will have a huge impact on local residents. My Conservative colleague, Liz Smith, and I are seeking a further meeting with the Bank of Scotland to address a number of issues.
“These include the fact that we were told that the mobile branch would be operational in Kinross six weeks prior to closure and that existing staff would be on hand to help customers with the transition. However, I believe these mobile branches are not operating under Tier 4 restrictions. So, we want to know how this fits with the now confirmed closure date.
“In addition, we were also offered the opportunity to see the facilities during this transition.
Councillor Purves continued: “The Co-op is still operating a one in, one out system during peak periods, which will make it more difficult for people to use the banking facilities at the Post Office located within that shop. And there have been a number of reports on-line over the past few weeks that people in Kinross-shire have been unable to deposit money at the Post Office, which is clearly a concern with the impending closure.”
And Liz Smith MSP added: “We are seeking a meeting as soon as possible to raise these issues with senior staff at the Bank of Scotland. This branch closure will result in major changes for banking for local residents, with the Bank of Scotland stating the nearest available branch will be Cowdenbeath once Kinross closes.
“Public transport in parts of rural Kinross-shire is not great and many residents who live in the likes of Powmill, Crook of Devon and Rumbling Bridge could spend hours having to travel on buses to get to a bank. And many of them will be reluctant to do so because of the lockdown measures and concerns over the virus.”
Councillor Purves and Liz Smith MSP have been working with Fossoway Community Council on this matter.