Issue - meetings

Forward Plan Ref: 2011/028

Contact: Richard Webb, Acting Head of Trading Standards Tel: (01865) 815791

Report by Acting Head of Trading Standards (CMDSSC7).

Birmingham City Council Trading Standards Service operates an Illegal Money Lending Team funded by central Government. The purpose of this team is to investigate allegations of illegal money lending activity, establish if illegal activity is being pursued and, if so, to take enforcement action against those persons carrying on this activity. The team is staffed with specialist officers and has proved effective in tackling illegal money lending activity and in supporting victims.

In November 2009 the Cabinet Member for Safer and Stronger Communities agreed to delegate authority for enforcement of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 to Birmingham City Council. This delegation enabled the Illegal Money Lending Team to operate in Oxfordshire. However, the original agreement with Birmingham City Council expired on 31st March 2011. Therefore, an extension of the agreement is required if the team is to continue to operate in Oxfordshire.

This report summarises the background to Birmingham City Council's Illegal Money Lending Team and the work undertaken in Oxfordshire by this team alongside the Trading Standards Service. The paper requests authorisation to extend the agreement with Birmingham City Council.

The Cabinet Member for Safer & Stronger Communities is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)               agree to continue the delegation of the function of enforcement of Part III of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 in Oxfordshire by Birmingham City Council and to delegate the power of prosecution to Birmingham City Council for any matters associated with or discovered during an investigation by the illegal money lending team; and

(b)              agree that authority be delegated to the Acting Head of Trading Standards and Community Safety to extend the existing agreement with Birmingham City Council on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council and approve minor alterations if required