Issue - meetings

Thisreport seeks approval for the London Borough of Brent to authorise Birmingham City Council to investigate and institute proceedings against illegal money lenders operating within the Brent Council area.

(i)         that approval be given to delegate to Birmingham City Council the function of the enforcement of Part III of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 within the London Borough of Brent and delegate to Birmingham City Council the power to institute criminal proceedings for any matters associated with illegal money lending or discovered during investigations by the Illegal Money Lending Team (ILMT) at Birmingham City Council;

(ii)        that approval be given to the “Protocol for Illegal Money Lending Team Investigations” attached as Appendix 1 and delegate authority to Strategic Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods in consultation with the Head of Consumer & Business Protection to enter into the protocol agreement on behalf of the London Borough of Brent with Birmingham City Council and, if required, approve minor alterations.

The report from the Strategic Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods sought approval for the London Borough of Brent to authorise Birmingham City Council to investigate and institute proceedings against illegal money lenders owperating within the Brent Council area. Councillor Mashari (Lead Member, Environment and Neigbourhoods) hoped that more could be done to help victims and promote credit unions given that poorest and most vulnerable were likely to suffer the most and welcomed the initiative which targeted illegal money lending activity and brought actions against those involved,

RESOLVED:

(i)         that approval be given to delegate to Birmingham City Council the function of the enforcement of Part III of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 within the London Borough of Brent and delegate to Birmingham City Council the power to institute criminal proceedings for any matters associated with illegal money lending or discovered during investigations by the Illegal Money Lending Team (ILMT) at Birmingham City Council;

(ii)        that approval be given to the “Protocol for Illegal Money Lending Team Investigations” attached as Appendix 1 and delegate authority to Strategic Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods in consultation with the Head of Consumer and Business Protection to enter into the protocol agreement on behalf of the London Borough of Brent with Birmingham City Council and, if required, approve minor alterations.