THERE is some confusion this week as to the future of the ATM cash machine situated at the former Royal Bank of Scotland site on Main Street Kelty.

In March a report from Fife Council planners outlined an application for full planning permission for change of use from bank (Class 2) to restaurant (Class 3) including the installation of extraction fan and installation of replacement window.

The report stated that a new ventilation system would be installed but that there were no other external alterations, other than work to remove the existing ATM and make good the external appearance of the building. Internally, it would consist of a seating area, kitchen, manager room and toilets.

This led Fife MSP, Alex Rowley, to challenge RBS reminding them that when they closed the bank in Kelty, they gave a ‘cast iron guarantee’ that RBS would continue to operate a ATM in Kelty. In response, RBS Public Affairs stated; “I can confirm that there are no plans to remove the ATM in question.”

Mr Rowley welcomed the ongoing commitment from RBS but said he was being cautious given that the planning application has been recommended for approval. The report stated that a “general comment was submitted regarding the existing ATM as it is regularly used by the public, however, this is not a material planning consideration and other ATMs are available within the Town Centre”.

The Labour MSP said: “My fear is that the banks are getting rid of ATMs and what we are seeing is private operators moving in with their ATMs which they then charge people to use.

"We have seen that 1 in 4 of Scotland's cash machines are now charging customers to take their money with the number soaring by 68% in just one year, there are 1,396 pay to use ATMS in Scotland - up 565 more from this time last year.

"Indeed, in the past four months alone, nearly 300 free cash machines have been lost to Scotland - at a rate of 75 a month. On top of that new LINK data shows that the rate of loss of free-to-use cash machines in Scotland has risen to 14 every week in the past year. That’s up from one in ten in the year to July. "Scotland has already seen over 400 bank branches close since 2015, making it one of the worst affected areas in the UK, and often the cashpoints will also go so we must hold RBS to the promises they made to the people of Kelty".

Mr Rowley concluded: “I believe we must stop the trend and we should expect large banks like RBS to keep their word.

"A new restaurant in the village is a good thing, and I am supportive, albeit it is unlikely to open anytime soon but the provision of an RBS cash machine must be maintained in the village”.