Save Our Cheque

Stockton Borough Council tonight passed unanimously a motion calling on the Chief Executive to write to our MPs asking them to vigorously lobby support for a bill before Parliament to ensure that cheques stay in use until suitable alternatives are found.

Cllr Alan Lewis said, in proposing the motion, "I understand that handling cheques is a bit of a pain for bank staff but many jobs have an element to them that people don't like doing and it would be wrong if cheques were lost just because they're inconvenient for the banks.

"Millions of cheques are still used each year, by elderly people, charities, community groups, and others. They would all be seriously disadvantaged if cheques were no longer available and there was no alternative. Not everyone has internet access or can use PayPal".

The motion pointed out that David WArd MP presented a 10 minute rule bill to the House of commons which would place a duty on the City Regulator, the Financial Services Authority, to ensure that cheques stay in use until suitable alternatives are found. The Council will now write to our MPs asking them to support the bill and to the Prime Minister expressing our concern about the plans to abolish cheques and urging him to ensure there is Parliamentary time for the bill to be passed into law.

Alan went on to demonstrate the point by writing a cheque for the Mayor's Benevolent Fund which raises thousands of pounds each year for charity and community projects selected by the Mayor.