Agenda item

To receive a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presenting a response to the recommendations arising from the Board’s recent review.

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presented the response of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) to the recommendations arising from the Scrutiny Board’s recent review which explored opportunities for improving communications aimed at tackling illegal money lending. 

Representatives from other relevant directorates and the Illegal Money Lending Team were also invited to discuss their role in taking forward the Board’s recommendations.

The following were in attendance for this item:

-  Dave Roberts, Financial Inclusion Strategy Manager

-  Mike McAughtrie, LIASE Officer, Yorkshire and Humberside, Illegal Money Lending Team

-  Simon Swift, Area Manager, Environment and Housing

-  Michele Tynan, Chief Officer, Access & Care, Adult Social Care

-  Gail Webb, Head of Learning Improvement, Children’s Services

-  Hilary Farmery, Communications Manager, Corporate Communications

-  Tim Taylor, Health and Wellbeing Improvement Manager

-  Chief Superintendent Sam Millar, Chief Officer Community Safety

The key areas of discussion were as follows:

·  Members acknowledged that a major publicity campaign aimed at tackling high cost lending and also illegal money lending was expected to be launched on 19th March 2014.

·  In relation to recommendation 3, it was suggested that the wording of this recommendation be amended to also acknowledge the need to work closely with the Director of Children’s Services in training relevant frontline staff within this directorate.

·  In relation to recommendation 4, Members reiterated the importance of targeting young people to help them understand the importance of keeping money safe and managing it right. It was noted that the education pack produced by the England Illegal Money Lending Team for schools had now been launched nationally.

·  In relation to recommendation 5, it was noted that this would be discussed by the Member Development Working Group at its next scheduled meeting.

·  Reference was made to ‘Operation Champion’ and the commitment of West Yorkshire Police in tackling illegal money lending.  Linked to this, it was noted that efforts are now being made to ensure that frontline operation staff, including PCSOs, receive weekly briefings on issues affecting their particular communities.

·  Members emphasised the importance of making alternative options to high cost lending and illegal lending easier to access and understand. Members were therefore pleased to note that the Money Information Centre, a new web based resource, would be launched on 19th March 2014 and is designed to meet this objective.

·  It was noted that the Money Information Centre would also help frontline staff signpost people to correct advice and agencies. Such staff would also receive briefing packs and additional training to equip them with the relevant knowledge and capacity to detect and support individuals in financial difficulties.

·  In acknowledging that a Leeds Education Hub is being set up, it was noted that this could provide a link to the Money Information Centre too. In addition, School Improvement Advisers would also receive training to help support their Head teachers and Chairs of Governors.

·   Whilst acknowledging that the full extent of the problem relating to illegal money lending activity is difficult to measure, reference was made to the trends being observed with high cost lending, acknowledging that individuals engaging in illegal lending would have generally exhausted any legal lending options first.

·  It was highlighted that the Step Change debt charity had helped 36,000 individuals in debt with pay day lenders in 2012.  In 2013, this figure had risen to 67,000 individuals.

·  Members emphasised the importance of identifying and supporting vulnerable individuals whom may have had benefits reduced or removed.

·  Particular emphasis was placed upon expanding the capacity of the Credit Union. It was noted that the Council has undertaken a lot of work with the Credit Union, including a pre-Christmas marketing campaign which proved to be very successful.  Members were pleased to learn that the Leeds Credit Union now has 27,000 members, which is its highest level. 

·  In acknowledging the value of raising greater awareness of the Credit Union amongst young people within secondary schools, the Board agreed to make a formal recommendation in this regard.

·  Members noted the role and work being undertaken by Public Health around the wider determinants of health, including financial inclusion.  Particular reference was made to its links with GPs and third sector organisations and also particular schemes such as ‘Opportunity Knocks’ and ‘Money Buddies’, which are being promoted as good practice models.

·  As well as providing support to individuals, particular importance was also placed around effective enforcement measures and the need to publicise successful prosecutions to help deter individuals from becoming loan sharks.

RESOLVED –

(a) That the Scrutiny Board notes the response to its recommendations.

(b) That the wording of recommendation 3 be amended to acknowledge the need to work closely with the Director of Children’s Services in training relevant frontline staff within this directorate too.

(c) That the following Scrutiny Board recommendation is also implemented and monitored accordingly:

Recommendation 6

That the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) works closely with the Financial Inclusion Team and the Director of Children’s Services in promoting greater awareness in local secondary schools of the services provided by the Credit Union.

(Councillor M Robinson arrived at 10.50 am during consideration of this item)