Carl Sargeant AM

A loan shark who preyed on a vulnerable woman has been sentenced to 18 months in jail today at Merthyr Crown Court.  He was convicted earlier this month after a week-long trial for 3 counts of unlicensed debt collecting and money lending.

Michael Rees charged the woman extortionate rates of interest on an initial loan of £500, taking up to a £1000 pounds a month including the victim’s benefit payments for the month which he collected by using her post office card.  The initial loan was £500 and she had to pay back £3000.

Rees exploited his victim by encouraging her to take out further loans including one for £1300 where the interest charged was £4800.

Police and Illegal Money Lending Unit (IMLU) officers raided his house in Tonteg and discovered the woman’s post office card as well as £48000 in cash under his bed.  The cash was thought to be profits from his illegal money lending operation and working capital.

Deputy Leader and Portfoilio member for Customer Services of Merthyr Tydfil CBC, Councillor Tony Rogers commented: ““The Wales Illegal Money Lending Unit has again shown their expertise in protecting Merthyr Tydfil residents from the threat of illegal loan sharks preying on the vulnerable. In today’s tough economic climate I would urge consumers to take expert advice from a Credit Union or the Citizens Advice Bureau instead of turning to a loan shark. Those who are currently victims of a loan shark please come forward and seek help and advice.”

Steven Hay, Operational Manager of Wales Illegal Money Lending Unit said: ‘Michael Rees’ actions were despicable and caused great upset and harm to a number of people.  Loan sharks prey on the vulnerable, if anyone needs help or knows anyone who needs help with a loan shark contact the Wales Illegal Money Lending Unit on 0300 123 3311 .’

Illegal money lenders can range from small time loan sharks to violent and organised criminals operating in Welsh communities. The Unit works throughout Wales investigating and prosecuting illegal money lenders, raising awareness off the problems associated with loan sharks and supporting victims to come forward without fear of reprisals. Since 2007, the unit has supported 113 victims and their work has led to the arrest and prosecution of 41 loans sharks.

Carl Sargeant expressed his concern at the dangers posed by loan sharks and said that he was determined to do all he could to help their victims.

“Loan sharks prey on people in desperate need of financial help” said the Minister. “They offer seemingly helpful solutions to money worries in return for unrealistic and unaffordable repayments. Victims often find they are unable to repay the extortionate interest rates and can face threats of violence unless they pay up. This Unit is doing a fantastic job of cracking down on illegal money lenders. Loan sharks should be warned that we are on their tail. The Welsh Assembly Government fully supports this drive to investigate and prosecute illegal money lenders across Wales.”

The Unit has undertaken a number of investigations leading to arrests, prosecution and often jail.  In 2009, investigations in Cardiff lead to two brothers working as loan sharks in the south Wales area being jailed. The brothers had blackmailed and kidnapped their victim over an outstanding loan payment.

In Rhondda Cynon Taf, a couple who targeted mothers at a school gate were jailed for providing illegal loans to 27 people and using threats and intimidation to extort the repayments.

Carl Sargeant had this message for anyone facing financial troubles.

“Loan sharks are dangerous people to get involved with and I urge anyone thinking of borrowing money from them to stay clear. There are realistic alternatives out there, such as credit unions, and I would encourage anyone in need of financial assistance to use these reliable sources.”

The Welsh Assembly Government supports a number of schemes that help people facing financial difficulties and also assist them in accessing affordable credit. The Housing Debt Helpline provides free telephone based counselling to anyone at risk of losing their home and helps them find long term solutions to their problems. Credit Unions offer affordable, safe and reliable saving accounts and loans and with a credit union in every part of Wales it is easier than ever to become a member.

The Unit has received over £62,000 funding from the Welsh Assembly Government.

The Cardiff North AM is the first Assembly Member to succeed in receiving approval in principle from the UK and Welsh Assembly Government for a non-government Legislative Competence Order.

If the Order is finally approved by the Assembly and Parliament it has the chance of completing its process by March 2010, which means that competence to legislate will be given to the Assembly.

The draft legislation was formally laid in the Assembly today ahead of a debate and vote by AMs next Wednesday.

Jonathan said: “Devolving powers to Wales over mental health has become something of a personal crusade.

“I have never quite understood why physical health became part of the devolved legislative remit without mental health.

“I suspect it happened this way partly because of the links between mental health and the power of the state to detain patients.

“If this legislation passes and it all works out then Wales has the chance to lead the way in mental health services reform.

“Very often our debates have been around the need for Wales to catch up with the rest of the UK and certainly services here do need to change.

“There may well be a golden opportunity to lead the rest of the UK in reforming this important service, demonstrating how devolution is not about doing things differently for the sake of it, but doing it better.”

Cardiff Council’s Pensioner Reduction Scheme is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and is beginning this week. There is no need to apply for the reduction or contact the council as the money will be allocated to council tax accounts which meet the correct criteria.

To be eligible for the scheme, the person concerned must be:

• liable to pay council tax in respect of a chargeable dwelling which was their sole or main residence on November 1, 2009
• one of the persons liable must have reached the age of 60 or over by November 1, 2009
• he or she must be in receipt of partial council tax benefit as at November 1, 2009

Where two or more people are jointly liable for council tax, they will be eligible for the reduction if one or all of them meet the criteria.

Following implementation of the scheme, any money remaining from the Welsh Assembly Government’s allocation to Cardiff will be used in conjunction with Age Concern. Both the council and the charity are proactively encouraging take-up of benefits in pensioner households and these funds will contribute to that scheme, between November 2009 and February 2010.

Executive Member for Finance Councillor Mark Stephens said: “I am delighted Cardiff is able to work with the Welsh Assembly Government to adopt the Pensioner Reduction Scheme. We are committed to giving extra help to the households most in need and the council has worked hard to ensure this is the best and most appropriate discount plan to offer.”

The Executive decided to progress with a joint agreement between the Council, Cardiff Community Housing Association and Cardiff and Vale University Local Health Board to fund the multi-million pound scheme.

The Loudoun Square regeneration project consists of a new shopping parade, a new community space, five start-up units suitable for social enterprises or local businesses, a community health centre offering a variety of health services, plus13 new town houses and 48 apartments.

Plans for the regeneration of Loudoun Square were first reported to the Executive in 2008, when the Executive agreed in principle to proceed with the transfer of council land and all associated property to facilitate the development.

The £16m scheme will be led by Cardiff Community Housing Association (CCHA) and will be funded from Social Housing Grant, the Welsh Assembly Government in relation to the health centre and the remaining funding coming from CCHA.

If the joint agreement is approved, it is hoped work could begin in Loudoun Square in the early part of 2010.

Executive Member for Communities, Housing and Social Justice, Cllr Judith Woodman, said: “I am delighted the regeneration has been approved, the area will benefit economically and socially from the scheme and I know that many residents are looking forward to work commencing.”

On both Saturdays it has been in use over 300 cars have used the site and on average, 245 made use of it every day during its second week of service, from Monday October 26.

The figures, which run until 5:30pm on Sunday November 1, show a steadily increasing popularity and are expected to rise further as we approach the festive season.

The new Park and Ride is part of Cardiff Council’s Sustainable Travel City initiative, which is partly funded by the Welsh Assembly Government. It provides a frequent, convenient service that travels directly to Dumfries Place, adjacent to Sainsbury’s.

There are 340 spaces in total, including 19 disabled spaces. The current amount of spaces is to be extended to 1100 in phases two and three. In addition, there will shortly be free parking to allow local residents to link to adjacent walkways and public space.

There is a Park and Ride bus every fifteen minutes for maximum efficiency, ensuring a quick and reliable journey for commuters and visitors alike. From Monday to Friday the service operates from 7:00am until 8:30pm and 10:30pm on Thursdays. On Saturdays buses run from 9:00am to 7:00pm and on Sundays from 9:00am until 5:30pm.

The service links in with the ‘Free B’ shuttle bus, which launched on October 12. This free service assists in transferring people between key points in the city centre, with a bus every 10 minutes.

Executive Member for Transport Councillor Delme Bowen said: “I am delighted to see the large numbers of people using the new park and ride service since its opening. With Christmas fast approaching I hope as many people as possible take advantage of its benefits.

“At £2.50 the service is competitively priced and as we enter phases two and three of development we will also be encouraging more car-sharing from the site. With this in mind I am confident Cardiff’s first purpose built park and ride will continue to be a huge success”.