Chuka Umunna MP

A new national campaign has been launched to highlight the help and advice available to homeowners potentially facing repossession.

The government is investing £130m in free face-to-face debt advice to help people stay in their homes, with a dedicated website and helpline in operation. Over 300,000 have already benefitted from this extra support.

Advice is also available in the courts themselves, with desks offering free, on-the-day legal advice and representation for those threatened with repossession. Even on the day of a hearing, around four in five repossessions can still be stopped if the households attend court and access free advice.

The government has also launched three financial support schemes, providing over 200,000 families help with their mortgage payments:

The Homeowners Mortgage Support (HMS) scheme is aimed to help those who have a temporary, unexpected drop in income; The Support for Mortgage Interest scheme helps those who have lost their jobs or receiving means tested benefits meet mortgage interest payments; the Mortgage Rescue Scheme is a £285m package of measures designed to prevent the most vulnerable families losing their homes.

Repossessions fell by 10% in the second quarter of this year, and the number of claims leading to a reposession order fell by 35% here in London.

The government is taking decisive action to ensure that homeowners don’t experience the trauma of repossession. During these difficult times, with finances under pressure, it is crucial that people are aware of all the support available – in most cases where people seek help they are able to stay in their homes.

Concerned homeowners can to go to www.direct.gov.uk/mortgagehelp, or contact the National Debtline on 0808 808 4000 for impartial advice.

Chuka Umunna, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Streatham, today backed Government plans to introduce compulsory licensing to deal with rogue wheel clamping companies in Lambeth.

Umunna welcomed the announcement by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith that a consultation would be published shortly on proposals for a compulsory licensing scheme for wheel clamping companies.

This consultation will look at introducing compulsory licensing and industry-wide standards for:

• signage, including size and visibility;
• maximum penalties charged and payment methods;
• minimum time between immobilisation and removal;
• providing evidence that a parking infringement has taken place;
• security and location of pound where vehicles are impounded; and
• complaints and appeals policy.

The measures aim to tackle the limited number of wheel clamping companies whose dodgy practices include excessive penalties for releasing clamped cars, clamping emergency vehicles and those belonging to disabled drivers, impounding cars unreasonably quickly after being clamped, hidden or missing signs warning drivers that clamping takes place, and a lack of any appeals process for drivers.

The announcement comes in the wake of local resident and singer-songwriter Leo Ihenacho’s well publicized dispute with South East Clamping Ltd (SEC) which featured on the BBC’s Watchdog programme on 2 March 2009.

While Ihenacho had been away from his home, the management company of his block had started to use SEC to patrol the building’s car park. During his absence SEC had towed Ihenacho’s car away without him knowing anything about it, which resulted in legal action. Ihenacho said:
“for someone to be able to come and take it like that without information, prior knowledge, etc…its unbelievable”.

Commenting on the measures the government is taking, Umunna said:
“The licensing of individual wheel clampers has gone a long way to reducing malpractice and improving standards in the industry.
“But I know that local people want further action against the small minority of clamping companies who indulge in sharp practices, including unclear signage and excessive fees.
“The Government is looking at introducing a scheme for compulsory licensing of clamping companies, with clear industry standards that they have to meet.”
“Rogue wheel clampers shouldn’t be able to get away with unacceptable practices and I’ll be working with the Government to clamp down on dodgy clampers.”

Currently, any individual undertaking vehicle immobilising must hold a frontline licence from the Security Industry Authority, with supervisors or directors holding a non-frontline licence. The new proposals would also make it mandatory for the company itself to be licensed to help ensure they sign up to upholding standards of conduct, which will be enforced if they are not met.

A new grassroots organisation has recently been launched in our borough to bring together the valuable work being done by tenants and residents’ associations (TRAs). The One Community Network, which has been set up by TRA members themselves, is designed to create partnerships between communities under one umbrella organisation, encouraging interaction between residents, housing providers and those who deliver services locally.

This forum will help associations share best practice and expertise, work together on events and support associations with fewer resources. It will also allow associations to speak with a more unified voice when representing residents on the issues that matter locally.

Tenants and residents’ associations already play a hugely important role, providing a crucial forum for getting involved in improving local services. The One Community Network will enhance this work through increased collaboration, delivering a brighter future for residents across the borough.

Below, Dave McEvoy, Chair of Weir Estate Residents Association and of the One Community network, explains the ideas behind the concept:

A developer has made an application to Lambeth council to construct almost 300 new homes on Streatham High Road.

The proposals are to transform the land between Streatham Megabowl and Caesar’s nightclub into 286 housing units and a new retail area likely to include shops and restaurants. The current façade of the Megabowl will be preserved, but the rest of the existing buildings will be demolished.

The plans also include a community centre to be built on the site, and if the application is successful, it is likely Lambeth Council will request additional contributions are made towards developing public spaces and utilities.

This is a significant stage in the plans to regenerate Streatham High Road, thought to be the longest high street in Europe. It is important that local people have their views heard on this matter. You can do this by making a comment to Lambeth Council before the 12th January 2009.

The Megabowl redevelopment application and an online comments form can be found here.

To view the application offline, you can see copies of the proposals at Streatham Library or the Town Planning Advice Centre (Phoenix House, 10 Wandsworth Road).

For further information on the Megabowl development from Lambeth Council, you can contact Samantha Wells at swells {at} lambeth.gov(.)uk, on 020 7926 1138, or at Lambeth Planning, Phoenix House, 10 Wandsworth Rd, London SW8 2LL.

Carys Afoko