Decision details

(LGA 1972 Sch 12A Paragraph 3 – Financial or business affairs of any particular person)

(Report of Director of Finance and Transformation)

The report advised that notice had been received from the Co-operative Bank that it would be withdrawing from the local government market from March 2018, affecting council taxpayers who used payment cards.  A review of the Council’s usage of the bank had been undertaken and consideration was given to possible alternatives and a recommended way forward.

The Cabinet resolved that: 

(1)                                                    the termination of the contract with Co-operative Bank by 31 December 2017 at the latest and withdrawal of payment cards as a method of payment be approved;

(2)                                                    authority be delegated to the Director of Finance and Transformation and the Chief Executive, in liaison with the Cabinet Member for Finance, Innovation and Property, to implement termination of the contract at the appropriate time;

(3)                                                    officers be authorised to contact all existing card holders giving them early warning of the withdrawal of the facility that will occur sometime during the calendar year 2017 and promote the alternative options; and

(4)                                                    the preparation of a ‘fast track capital plan evaluation’ to expand the current payment facilities be agreed if required.