Beggs backs rural ATM rates exemption

Roy Beggs MLA has backed the proposal from the Department of Finance & Personnel to retain rate exempt from Automatic Telling Machines (ATM's) in rural areas. The proposal will aim to give an additional incentive to rural businesses and banks to locate ATM's in rural areas, and benefit the rural community.

Roy Beggs said "If the rates exemption was abolished for rural ATMs, then we could expect to see a decline in the number of ATMs in rural communities. There is evidence that a significant amount drawn from ATM's is spent locally. The retention of ATM's will therefore play an important part in retaining rural shops and minimizing the risk of rural isolation. This would then mean that people would have to travel further to get money and in doing so incur a significant cost in travelling. This could be a significant proportion of the income of pensioners and those who are reliant on benefits."

The rural ATM rates exemption is expected to cost around £80,000. Mr Beggs said "Although the total estimated cost is relatively small, the exemption could play a critical part when a rural business is determining whether or not to retain or install an ATM."

Commenting in the wake of ATM burglaries in Northern Ireland, the UUP Assembly member said "Following the spate of ATM robberies, the future of some ATM's appears uncertain. The exemption from rates for ATM's in specified rural areas are another measure that may encourage the replacement of these ATM's and will give increased stability to some rural shops."