Councillors consider cheque issues

• Date: 15 February 2021
• Published date: 15 February 2021
• Author: Sue Emeny

At a recent council meeting mayor Tracey Collis introduced the subject of facing the future without cheques and the effect this would have on the community and in particular businesses, the elderly and those without access to online banking.

Councillor Sharon Wards said some members of the business community were concerned at their ability to obtain petty cash. “I think we should see if there is potential here for us to advocate for the community as this community will be hugely affected.”

Collis said rural mayors were very concerned at the loss of cheques and were working together on the issue. She said she had also had several conversations with business owners.

“We absolutely can advocate on this. Banking is changing at a rate of knots and we hadn’t expected the changes to happen so fast.”

Collis said a banking hub had been established in Martinborough and that was working well.

Councillor Shirley Hull asked if banks were providing any education around alternatives to using cheques.

Collis said from her experience the extent of educating people was to escort them to an ATM and show them what to do.

Councillor Alison Franklin, who is a business owner, said the biggest issue was obtaining change.

“You have to arrange for change 24 hours in advance then pick it up from a bank in Dannevirke or Palmerston North at a designated time. If you need to use...