Issue - meetings

This report seeks approval for City of York Council to authorise Birmingham City Council to investigate and institute proceedings against illegal money lenders operating within the City of York Council area.

RESOLVED: That the Cabinet Member agrees to Option 1 to authorise the delegation of functions and give approval to the protocol for investigations as set out in paragraphs 33 and 34 of the report.

REASON:      To allow the Birmingham City Council Money Lending Team to undertake lawful investigations in the City of York Council area.

The Cabinet Member considered a report, which sought approval for City of York Council to authorise Birmingham City Council to investigate and institute proceedings against illegal moneylenders operating within the City of York Council area.

An Illegal Money Lending Team had been established within Birmingham Trading Standards as a pilot project in England to provide a high level of specialist resource to provide this function. Details of the objectives of the project together with the protocol for investigations were set out in the report.

The Cabinet Member confirmed that it was important that action was taken against such individuals as they targeted the most vulnerable members of the community. 

The Cabinet Member then went onto consider the following options:

Option 1: The council should authorise the enforcement of Part III of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 by Birmingham City Council (pursuant to Section 101 of the Local Government Act 1972, Regulation 7 of the Local Authority (Arrangements for Discharge of Functions) (England) Regulations 2000, and Section 13 and 19 of the Local Government Act 2000).

That the attached “Protocol for Illegal Money Lending Team Investigations” be agreed and authority be delegated to the Head of Trading Standards and Environmental Health to enter into the agreement on behalf of the City of York Council and approve minor alterations if required.

Option 2: There are no other viable options as the funding is provided on the basis of expanding the Birmingham team; enforcement would be carried out by officers of the City of York trading standards.

RESOLVED: That the Cabinet Member agrees to Option 1 to authorise the delegation of functions and give approval to the protocol for investigations as set out in paragraphs 33 and 34 of the report. ^1.

REASON:      To allow the Birmingham City Council Money Lending Team to undertake lawful investigations in the City of York Council area.