2nd April 2022

 

To all those who answered the call and sent letters to the  Minister Michael Gove, Sir Keir Starmer and Ed. Davey,  Your efforts have not been in vain.  Yesterday, Sir Christopher Chope OBE MP - who I have regularly kept in touch with and is aware of your letters; emailed me.

The good news is: HE HAS PERSUADED THE MINISTER TO TAKE SOME ACTION IN THE NEW SESSION AFTER THE QUEEN'S SPEECH ON 10TH MAY.  His Bill, has been moved to 6th May, but this is just a Parliamentary process in order for undebated bills to be put into abeyance for the end of the Parliamentary session. IIn addition, Heather Wheeler MP has responded to her constituent that:: BE ASSURED AS PART OF MY SUPPORT FOR THE CAMPAIGN I HAVE HAD MEETINGS WITH NO. 10 AND THEY ARE LOOKING INTO THE WORKLOAD FOR THE PARLIAMENTARY LEGAL SERVICES WHO ACTUALLY WRITE/DRAW UP THE BILL NEEDED.

It is my belief that MPs usually take things seriously when they can see that we are doing all that we can to achieve the right result.. These are good steps forward and ones that I do not think would have happened without the effort that you have all put in.  But what does TAKE SOME ACTION MEAN?

Many of you have already contacted me suggesting media action.  I think it is now time - with your help - to make a concerted effort to get as much media attention as we can before the deadline day of 10th May.  The main thrust of this must be to get the promised change from the  RPI increase to your pitch fee changed to CPI - and it needs to be in the next Parliamentary session.

Attached is a letter that you can copy and send - if you wish - to all the media outlets in your area.  local papers, radio stations and your regional TV.  National TV (if you can get it.)

Because I understand that you may not want to be contacted, I have said on the letter that I am happy for any media outlet to email me.  I have also inserted a line, whereby you can give your own contact telephone number should you wish to speak to the media on this RPI to CPI subject.

Our campaign has always conducted itself respectfully and I believe this has been part of our success.   When sending the attached letter and possibly speaking to the media about your feelings on the RPI to CPI subject -  you will all be ambassadors of the JUSTICE Campaign and I know you will uphold the values that we represent. . 

I have not added the 10% Commission Charge to this letter because we have already obtained the Independent Review that we asked for.  Let's see what happens at the Queen's speech before pushing again for the Government's decision on the commission charge.

Best wishes to all and thank you for sending your letters.  You have definitely made a difference and it shows that the power of the people can win through.

Sonia.

P H O J C

The National Park Home Owners JUSTICE Campaign

President:  Sir Peter Bottomley MP

Founder:  Sonia McColl OBE

www.parkhomeownersjusticecampaign.co.uk

Dear Sirs

PLEASE CAN YOU HELP? 

In these times of hardship, we need air time and media coverage to shame Government into giving Park Home Owners in England what they promised four years ago – and we need it before the Queen’s speech on May 10th 2022.

I am a park home owner and a member of the Park Home Owners JUSTICE Campaign. In 2014, many pensioners travelled to London to rally and present our petition to Downing Street.  One of the things petitioned for; was to change the increase of our monthly pitch fees from RPI to CPI.  As you will be aware, pensioners, pensions only increase by CPI.

Four years ago, Government promised to make this change, which is already enjoyed by park home residents in Wales.  WE ARE STILL WAITING, but Government appears not to want to honour their promise and put this Bill into the Parliamentary time table.  

To help us; Sir Christopher Chope OBE MP, has - to no avail - on several occasions put forward his own Private Members Bill on the subject of RPI.  In the past few months, members of our Campaign have sent hundreds of standard letters to the Minister Michael Gove MP to level us up in line with Wales – and because no action has been taken; latterly we requested Sir Keir Starmer and Sir Ed. Davey to shame the Government into action.

Our founder, Sonia McColl, has been informed by Sir Christopher that he has now persuaded the Minster to take ‘SOME ACTION’ in the new session of Parliament.  In addition, Heather Wheeler MP has informed: Be assured as part of my support for this campaign I have had a meeting with No. 10. and they are looking into the workload for the Parliamentary legal service who actually write/draw up the Bill needed.

We are grateful to Sir Christopher and Heather Wheeler MP for this and I believe that their intervention along with the hundreds of letters that park home owners have sent; has brought about these statements.  This is definitely the power of the people working, and you have all done so well.   But what is ‘SOME ACTION?’

In these austere times when park home owners – who are mainly pensioners – struggle to pay for heating and food, this present Government is failing them badly by not having activated their promise.  RPI is at an all-time high and the difference between this and CPI is extremely significant to those with little income who will struggle to keep warm.  Does, the RPI that is added go to the Government?  NO.  It is added to already extortionate pitch fees and is a windfall gain for the site owner on a monthly basis – who is laughing all the way to the bank. 

We, the JUSTICE campaign, have tried and done all that we can.  Now we need to press home to Government how desperate we are. Please; we now need you – THE MEDIA - to help us to get this change for so many vulnerable park home owners – and we need it to be included in the Queen’s Speech for the next session of Parliament on May 10th.  This extra charge is affecting every park home owner in England and like our campaign for a change in the 10% Commission Charge - we want JUSTICE.

If you wish to contact our founder for more information, this can be done by emailing phojc1sm@gmail.com

Or, if I have provided my contact telephone number;  you can contact me, the writer on   Tel:

Thank you in anticipation of your help