Councillor Andy Kelly taken to task over council banking questions

Councillor Andy Kelly

Local Lib Dem Leader, Councillor Andy Kelly is being taken to task by Councillor Richard Farnell over his questions regarding the Council's banking facility.

In a press release, Councillor Kelly asked Council Leader Richard Farnell to explain "why the Council has abandoned the Co-operative Bank and chosen Barclays". In fact, Councillor Farnell explained it was the Co-op that ended its relationship with the Council when it pulled out of local authority banking.

Councillor Farnell says Councillor Kelly also got it wrong claiming Manchester City Council still banks with the Co-op; he explains Manchester also banks with Barclays.

Councillor Kelly said in his press release: "I think residents will be alarmed that the Council has ended it's relationship with the [Co-op] bank and gone with Barclays. This is especially surprising as Manchester City Council still banks with them. I'd like to know the reasoning behind the decision and whether it offers better value for money for the taxpayer. If the Council has a legitimate reason then Manchester City Council has questions to answer.

Responding, Councillor Farnell said: “Councillor Kelly is wrong when he says the home of the Co-op has abandoned its relationship with the Co-operative Bank. The Co-op has abandoned us.

“In 2013 the Co-op informed all councils across the country that it was ending all contracts for local authority banking when they came up for renewal as it was withdrawing from this sector.

“Rochdale’s contract with the Co-op ended in 2015 and, following a competitive tender, it was awarded to Barclays.

“He is wrong when he suggests this will cost taxpayers more. Barclays is, in fact, cheaper than the Co-op.

“Councillor Kelly is wrong when he says Manchester City Council bank with the Co-op. They don’t. They also bank with Barclays.

“Councillor Kelly is obviously spending too much time entering TV quiz shows than paying attention to the important job as leader of the local Lib Dems. Let’s hope he is a bit more accurate when he’s next on the telly answering the questions.”