Othernews.co.uk fraud department. Welcome.

Update 3 July 2024

We are still sparring. Nothing like a secret to get people going and generate some bills, as any lawyer knows.

FOI requests: Southwark wrote patronisingly to me using my christian name and not putting any signature to their letter. Presumably people are beginning to worry about 'discovery'. They have told me they cannot answer one of my freedom of information (FOI) requests because it asks for information about a specific person (Joshua Harris) because it is exempt under an Act, containing as it does personal data as well as 'data of third party information' (whatever that is) but have ignored the other (about Althea Loderick's pay) so I have found it necessary to reword one of the requests to not name anybody. This is what I wrote:-

Corporate Inforation Governance Team
Inforation Governance.
Governance and Assurance
accessinfo@southwark.gov.uk
Southwark Council
PO box 64529
London SE1P 5LX

1 July 2024

Your reference 26823165

Dear unknown correspondent

It is remarkable how many new departments seem to be appearing in the council.

Please could you sign your letters to me. You have given no name and no signature. A little transparency might be a good idea. Southwark seems to go to such great lengths to keep everything a secret, and there does seem to be a bit of fraud going on.

Here in a different form is one of my two FOI requests that you have ignored:

FOI request:- Please could you tell me the amount of council money received this year and last year by the council's Chief Executive Officer? (this will include not just basic salary if it applies but any bonuses and special payments etc in addition).

And here is a new FOI request:

How may I see the how much the council has spent on outsourcers of every kind during the last two years?

Yours

***************************

But also I received a letter from one Ernst Erasmus saying he is an arborical officer. This also was unsigned, and invited me to visit a website called www.trees.org.uk to get a quote for my enormous tree to be pruned. Maybe there is a bit of commission available to anybody who can induce me to spend some money on treework. My response was:-

Ernst Erasmus, arboricultural officer
Environment Neighbourhoods and growth
Southwark council
160 Tooley St., London SE1 2QH

1 July 2024

Dear Mr. Erasmus

Thank your for your letter of 20th June re my lime tree. I notice you have not signed it, and as fraud is common in Southwark council please could you send me a copy with your signature on it?

If you look at your records you will find that I have applied for planning permission to fell this tree some long time ago (it has, of course, grown in the meantime) and permission has been refused. At the time I only cited the more obvious points, but in fact it is beginning to destroy my property. Soon there will be cracks appearing in the house and I will ask the insurers to pay for repairs - and as I have already applied for permission to fell they will then ask the council to pay not just for the repairs but also for the felling of the tree. If the tree is not felled, further damage will occur, and so the cracking will go on. At present it is only threatening the frontage but has already done some damage to the paving, front steps and wall.

As somebody who once owned much woodland I have seen the kind of damage such trees can do. They are very powerful.

Yours

**********************

This is what last update contained:-

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Update 20 June 2024

We're still sparring.

Southwark have written from a new address telling me they will answer my freedom of information enquiry regarding Joshua Harris and another matter by 4th July, but have completely ignored my freedom of information request regarding CEO (etc) salaries. This is rather strange. They also tell me that in some cases a fee may be payable and that some information may not be something they will divulge - exemptions. under the Act etc.

I don't know if Companies House might be able to help regarding Althea Loderick's pay.

So I wrote as follows:-

Information Governance Team
Government and Assurance
Assessinfo@southwark.gov.uk

FOI reference 26863165.

20th June 2024.

Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you for your letter of the 11th June.

I need to point out that I also asked about CEO and high officer's emoluments last year and this year. Please include that answer with the other request regarding Joshua Harris of the legal department.

Additionally, please tell me what your postal address is.

Yours

************************.

So I will have to post my letter to Southwark's regular address and everyone in the postroom will be able to read it if they feel so inclined.

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Here is what I said on 12 June:-

Update 12 June 2024

Today I tried to contact Southwark Parking Services by email and discovered that was impossible - 'undelivered mail returned to sender' was the reply, so I was forced to send them a letter, which is a wasteful and relatively expensive activity.

Here is what I said:-

Southwark parking services
Admail 4197
London SE1
1ZW

PCNs

12 june 2024

Despite your best efforts to prevent me doing so I finally managed to pay for a street parking permit in April to Southwark's bank account (about 16th April).

However, had you not been so very unhelpful I would have paid for one as soon as the demand came, even though I believe that in law I have no obligation at all to buy one.

I have a large number of PCNs here that your people have served. You need to cancel them all because I won't be paying them.

Sending letters is quite an expensive process. Please give me an email address that works. You have chosen to try to make your business run on almost no staff, but I cannot see any reason why you should expect us (the public) to do your work for you.

It would be interesting to know whether any of the money you collect actually goes to the council.

Yours

**************

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Here is what I said at last update:-

Update 4 June 2024

I am still getting millions of PCNs, and as nobody answers letters or emails in Southwark I have sent a letter as follows:-

Southwark council
160 Tooley St.,
London SE1 2QH

Shop rents in Crossthwaite Road and other council shops, CEO's annual pay, Dashcard Services, fraud in the council, freedom of information.

4 June 2024

Dear sir/Madam

It costs me a lot of time and about £1 each time I write a letter, and as most of them are never answered or are answered evasively I will from now onwards be sending letters with multiple subjects where necessary. This will of course be a waste of time for Southwark as much as it is for me.

I enclose with this letter a copy of a previous letter dated 16th of May this year to which I would like an answer please, particularly with relation to your CEO's Annual pay, but also the other matters.

Dashcard Services have given me dozens of PCNs on my car when I have (despite their efforts to prevent me doing so) paid for a street parking permit some weeks ago by paying into Southwark Council's normal and regular account. The payment was tagged with the car number and the words 'parking permit' Please tell them to stop wasting council taxes on useless pursuits. I need to tell you that I will not be paying these PCNs.

I have received your Notice of enforcement liability order 2745178 dated by your accounting department 22 May which (I presume) is because your accountants have ignored the correspondence regarding single/multiple resident change of use which took place immediately before the change. You will have to go to the county court over this if you persist.

Freedom of information request Does Joshua Harris (who wrote on behalf of Southwark on a few occasions) no longer work for Southwark Council? Does he even exist?

Could you please tell me who I need to contact if I wish to make an enquiry of a legal nature regarding Southwark Council?

Whilst Joshua Harris did manage to fend off my claim regrding balcony repairs (Claim no. K01BR5790) I will eventually return this matter to the county court even if it does cost me a lot to do so as Southwark's various fraudsters have caused me a lot of financial damage over the years and I also want the public to know what happens there.

Your arboricultural department have told me I will have to pay them £6,000 if I fell a tree in my garden that is hollow at the bottom. Who will this money go to if I do so? I made an enquiry about why a tree on The far western end of Champion Park was felled and it has not been answered. This is not critical, but as that tree was not anything like as diseased as my sycamore it seems rather telling. I also need toremind you that if my gigantic lime tree blows over in a storm the damage to my own and/or several other houses ill be rather extensive. I asked if Southwark would pay for the damage it does in the light of council' refusal of permission to fell this tree. It would not be financially viable to pollard it.

It would be lovely to have an honest council with honest employees. I keep on hoping.

Yours

********************

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Previously I wrote and never got an answer:-

Southwark council
160 Tooley St.,
London SE1 2QH

Shop rents in Crossthwaite Road and other council shops, CEO's annual pay, Dashcard Services, fraud in the council, freedom of information.

4 June 2024

Dear sir/Madam

It costs me a lot of time and about £1 each time I write a letter, and as most of them are never answered or are answered evasively I will from now onwards be sending letters with multiple subjects where necessary. This will of course be a waste of time for Southwark as much as it is for me.

I enclose with this letter a copy of a previous letter dated 16th of May this year to which I would like an answer please, particularly with relation to your CEO's Annual pay, but also the other matters.

Dashcard Services have given me dozens of PCNs on my car when I have (despite their efforts to prevent me doing so) paid for a street parking permit some weeks ago by paying into Southwark Council's normal and regular account. The payment was tagged with the car number and the words 'parking permit' Please tell them to stop wasting council taxes on useless pursuits. I need to tell you that I will not be paying these PCNs.

I have received your Notice of enforcement liability order 2745178 dated by your accounting department 22 May which (I presume) is because your accountants have ignored the correspondence regarding single/multiple resident change of use which took place immediately before the change. You will have to go to the county court over this if you persist.

Freedom of information request Does Joshua Harris (who wrote on behalf of Southwark on a few occasions) no longer work for Southwark Council? Does he even exist?

Could you please tell me who I need to contact if I wish to make an enquiry of a legal nature regarding Southwark Council?

Whilst Joshua Harris did manage to fend off my claim regrding balcony repairs (Claim no. K01BR5790) I will eventually return this matter to the county court even if it does cost me a lot to do so as Southwark's various fraudsters have caused me a lot of financial damage over the years and I also want the public to know what happens there.

Your arboricultural department have told me I will have to pay them £6,000 if I fell a tree in my garden that is hollow at the bottom. Who will this money go to if I do so? I made an enquiry about why a tree on The far western end of Champion Park was felled and it has not been answered. This is not critical, but as that tree was not anything like as diseased as my sycamore it seems rather telling. I also need toremind you that if my gigantic lime tree blows over in a storm the damage to my own and/or several other houses ill be rather extensive. I asked if Southwark would pay for the damage it does in the light of council' refusal of permission to fell this tree. It would not be financially viable to pollard it.

It would be lovely to have an honest council with honest employees. I keep on hoping.

Yours

***********************

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Southwark council 160 Tooley St., London SE1 2QH Shop rents in Crossthwaite Road and other council shops, CEO's annual pay, Dashcard Services, fraud in the council, freedom of information. 4 June 2024 Dear sir/Madam It costs me a lot of time and about £1 each time I write a letter, and as most of them are never answered or are answered evasively I will from now onwards be sending letters with multiple subjects where necessary. This will of course be a waste of time for Southwark as much as it is for me. I enclose with this letter a copy of a previous letter dated 16th of May this year to which I would like an answer please, particularly with relation to your CEO's Annual pay, but also the other matters. Dashcard Services have given me dozens of PCNs on my car when I have (despite their efforts to prevent me doing so) paid for a street parking permit some weeks ago by paying into Southwark Council's normal and regular account. The payment was tagged with the car number and the words 'parking permit' Please tell them to stop wasting council taxes on useless pursuits. I need to tell you that I will not be paying these PCNs. I have received your Notice of enforcement liability order 2745178 dated by your accounting department 22 May which (I presume) is because your accountants have ignored the correspondence regarding single/multiple resident change of use which took place immediately before the change. You will have to go to the county court over this if you persist. Freedom of information request Does Joshua Harris (who wrote on behalf of Southwark on a few occasions) no longer work for Southwark Council? Does he even exist? Could you please tell me who I need to contact if I wish to make an enquiry of a legal nature regarding Southwark Council? Whilst Joshua Harris did manage to fend off my claim regrding balcony repairs (Claim no. K01BR5790) I will eventually return this matter to the county court even if it does cost me a lot to do so as Southwark's various fraudsters have caused me a lot of financial damage over the years and I also want the public to know what happens there. Your arboricultural department have told me I will have to pay them £6,000 if I fell a tree in my garden that is hollow at the bottom. Who will this money go to if I do so? I made an enquiry about why a tree on The far western end of Champion Park was felled and it has not been answered. This is not critical, but as that tree was not anything like as diseased as my sycamore it seems rather telling. I also need toremind you that if my gigantic lime tree blows over in a storm the damage to my own and/or several other houses ill be rather extensive. I asked if Southwark would pay for the damage it does in the light of council' refusal of permission to fell this tree. It would not be financially viable to pollard it. It would be lovely to have an honest council with honest employees. I keep on hoping. Yours Hugh Harris.

Update 24 May 2024

The local shops are being aked to pay for a rent rise of 143%, and this made me very curious. Who exactly will put this vastly increased revenue into their own account? I cannot (yet) accuse anybody, but as this whole matter of council fraud has grown, so I feel I must investigate.

I wrote a letter to Southwark as follows:

(Joshua Harris seems to have disappeared from the scene, so I had no particular person to address my letter to).

Southwark council
160 Tooley St.,
London SE1 2QH

Shop rents in Crossthwaite Road and other council shops.

16 May 2024

Dear sir/Madam

Please could you answer the following:

1. The shopkeepers in Crossthwaite Road say you are intending to raise their rents by 143%. Is this a universal increase in Southwark shop rents, or does it only apply to Crossthwaite Road? If only to Crossthwaite Road, why is it not being applied throughout the borough?

2. There appears to be much fraud in the council amongst staff and amongst outsourcers. Would it not be more sensible to tackle this problem instead of raising rents?

3. Freedom of information request: The CEO of Southwark and possibly some others will receive emoluments annually for their work. How much will each receive for the current fiscal year, and how much did each receive for last year?

Yours

*********************

This, of course, has not received a reply.That may be because Southwark have no money to pay the necessary staff to answer the mail (why? one has to ask) but it may also be to try to keep the public from knowing quite how corrupt things are there. I believe they are legally obliged to answer freedom of information requests.

I have had a couple more PCNs this week, and so as Dashcard ignore correspondence I will have to wait until they decide to try for a county court claim and then send a copy of a few emails and my bank statement as defence. What a vast waste of funds.

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othernews.co.uk

Update 9 May 2024

Another penalty charge notice was on my windscreen this morning, and I know it is no good writing to Althea Loderick (Southwark's CEO) because nobody ever answers, however important the matter may be.

I am a little curious as to whether she also is involved in this particular fraud.

It is not good enough really. After all, we all pay our council tax partially in order to have an honest council.

.

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Update 28th March 2024

Needless to say, still nobody has told me who investigates fraud in Southwark Council despite my many requests.

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An email came from Dashcard that said:

Thank you for your email.

You may either purchase your permit on the website www.southwark.gov.uk or call customer services on 0344 800 2736 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) who will be able to assist you.

Regards

*****************

Appeals and Representations Officer

Parking & Traffic Enforcement Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth | Parking and Network management T: 0344 800 2736 W:www.southwark.gov.uk/parking

In other words, 'we don't want to use our time and resources to help anybody. Please phone us.' (which would anyway use some of their time even if they answered).

But as it is highly likely I will join an endless telephone queue and not get paid for it if I do that, I replied:

Thank you for writing.

Please could you give me a way of retrieving my password or resetting it. That is what your site is supposed to do.

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My update for 24th March went as follows:-

Today I decided I ought to be fair and tried to log in yet again. Dashcard site said forgotten password? give email. I did. In about 10 minutes I got an email that directed me to a site that said they were no longer doing that, but only after asking me to report my problem.This site then sent me to a site that asked for my email and then sent me an email. The email had in it a link that said this site was no longer available and asked me to write to a postal address!

I probably will one day, but as I have already done that by another route I do not see the point.

I believe I have already asked them to contact me and put things right. They have not done so yet.

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Here is the update that was dated 13 March:-

This matter is becoming more complicated to relate.

But here on a lighter note is an excert from othernews 17th. November 1997:-

2. All tenants are honest, save those included in schedule 5, 6 below, notwithstanding those parties who subject to the Aeroplane and Bat (low flying) Orders 1932 would otherwise be exhempt under section 43 of the Hot Air (elimination) Act 1922 (Clause 14 as amended), save if it does not suit his honour at the time in force would otherwise be deemed fit and proper hereintoforebehindafter referred to as.......

3. All councils are honest and honourable and always do the right thing, subject to suitable political leanings, and always subject to clause (2) above and the limitation that any dispute beteween tenant and council shall be found in favour of the council or such other proper body as may be...............blah blah

4. All councils know what they are doing subject to being of suitable political leaning.

5. The Duchy of Cornwall is always right..

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Now I shall resume:

There is one way an outsourcer can greatly increase their profits and I am going to try to make it clear how this is done:-

Here are two letters I have sent to Southwark recently:-

Althea Loderick, CEO
Southwark council
160 Tooley St., London SE1 2QH

Dishonesty in council outsourcing departments

9 February 2024

Dear Ms. Loderick

Please send me details of who investigates the various frauds that occur in Southwark council.

I am concerned today with a different type of dishonesty which is committed by your outsourcers concerning the renewal of resident parking permits.

The people who administer the traffic controls in Southwark are failing to do their work properly and instead sending people PCNs for alleged infractions. It is a very simple scam which enables the outsourcer to greatly increase their profits - possibly also at the council;s expense if the council pays a fee for each PCN issued. It works like this:-

Send email to resident asking them to renew permit by logging on. Make sure they cannot log on by altering their login details. Ignore further enquiries from resident, who therefore cannot pay for their permit. Send warden to serve a PCN. When resident refuses to pay (as I do) commence endless and expensive recovery processes.

One wonders if they ever give any of the money they collect to the council and if so how much is not absorbed in other frauds.

Please supply contact details for Southwark's fraud investigators.

If this letter gets no response I might send it again as a 'signed for' letter (probably redated), but this becomes an expensive thing to do if every letter I send goes unanswered..

Yours

I now know that somebody fields Ms. Loderick's mail because I received a letter in response to one of those I sent.recently telling me that Southwark take complaints very seriously and investigate them vigorously (etc) which came from from another address.

My response was:-

Customer Resolution Team
Southwark Council
Floor 2
Hub 2
PO Box 64529

London SE1P 5LX
Ref 23752863

March 7 2024

Dear Sir/Madam

Thank you for your letter of 1 March, received by me yesterday.

I am still unable to renew my street parking permit because the outsourcing firm who handle this kind of thing have made it impossible to log in to renew it.

I have not made a complaint as far as I know, but you have treated my letter of 9 February as a complaint, which is rather odd - and you have talked about an estate parking permit when I don't need one. I live in a street and have no desire for an estate parking permit.

I have tried to contact your outsourcers (who I believe call themselves Dashcard Services) asking them to fix their website but have been ignored.

It would surely be better for you to contact Dashcard and ask them to fix their website and then to contact me than for you to waste resources writing to me.

I am currenlty without a permit and although in law I would have the right not to buy one but still park, this is unnecessary in the light of my willingness to buy one.

I have had a few PCNs since the permit ran out, which I do not intend to pay.

As you can see, my letter refers to a type of fraud. Could you please tell me who investigates alleged fraud in Southwark Council?

Yours

and

Joshua Harris,
Southwark legal dept.
160 Tooley St., London SE1 2QH

Your ref. RU030/137618

13 March 2024

Dear Mr. Harris,

Claim no. K01BR579 -Bromley County Court.

The young lady who attended court on behalf of Souhtwark did give me her name, but as I am deaf and was under pressure I am afraid I have forgotten it.

As I have not received an email message yet from that lady I need to make sure that she has the right email address for me. It is:-

***********@*******

You defended too late, so the judge should have judged in my favour, but I rather think he did not consider that fact because lawyers are supposed to be truthful. However, there is yet another reason why he should have found in my favour, and I will tell you that if it comes to further litigation.

It now seems obvious to me that you personally or your department are trying to cover up crimes, and that your tactics in relation to my claim (numbered above) were just a way of trying to avoid these crimes coming to light. It would be nice to know whether I am right and whether there are a whole network of you doing this or it is just you.......I am reminded of stories I have read about Russia under Putin!

I have posed a question. It would be nice to have an answer.

Yours

***************

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And this was my previous update:-

Here is a letter I sent to my local council re fraud: