The recent update, just e-mailed in
Simon.

Dear Supporters

The House of Lords debate took place last night. For the government, Baroness Andrews sounded distinctly uncomfortable - as one might, defending the indefensible. She trotted out much of the same information we have heard so many times before but also confirmed the subsidies that will be paid to participants in the 'Dry Run'. She also stated that trainee Home Inspectors will be not paid compensation.

There is no doubt that the government is heading for a fall with the 'Dry Run' as it simply will not test the pack under the circumstances that would prevail in a mandatory environment.

You can read the full debate here:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200405/ldhansrd/pdvn/lds06/text/61011-0003.htm#06101179000001

SPLINTA received an honourable 'mention in dispatches'.

The following is the text of a press release we have issued this morning. Please circulate to your media contacts.

Regards

Nick

PRESS RELEASE FROM SPLINTA

12th October 2006

HIP DRY 'A WASTE OF TAXPAYERS' MONEY'.

In a House of Lords debate on 11th October, the government confirmed that £4 million of tax payer's money is to be spent subsidising a 'dry run' of the discredited Home Information Pack (HIP) prior to its introduction in June 2007.

Government spokeswoman, Baroness Andrews stated: "Money will be used for communication and advertising, and we will be offering incentives in the form of a limited number of free packs as well as packs in which the mandatory element will be provided to the seller free of charge, leaving them free to pay for the HCR, and packs provided on a no-sale, no-fee basis."

This subsidy calls into question the objectivity and validity of the dry run.

Nick Salmon FNAEA, head of the anti-pack campaign group, SPLINTA (Sellers Pack Law is not the Answer) said: "We question why tax payer money is being spent to subsidise private sale transactions. This subsidised voluntary trial of the HIP cannot accurately reflect the circumstances that would exist when the pack is made mandatory and giving away free packs will skew the trial results. It is a waste of taxpayers' money. The government is about to repeat the error it made in a similar trial in Bristol five years ago. Despite assurances that the dry run results will be independently assessed we are very concerned that a commercial organisation representing the firms that stand to make money from the packs is running this trial. We would advise estate agents and sellers to steer well clear of it."

SPLINTA has proposed modification to the HIP that would remove the need for the dry run and make the scheme practical and cost-effective for the industry and consumers. The Energy Efficiency Report (required under an E.U. Directive) would be made a voluntary document during the marketing of a property and only become mandatory at exchange of contracts. Agents and private sellers commissioning a HIP would receive a certificate from the pack provider stating that the order had been placed. In this way there would be no delay in commencing marketing (under the current regulations there could be a wait of up to 14 days while the pack is prepared) and sellers would not be forced to incur the cost of the Energy Report before a buyer had been found.

Nick Salmon said:  "We commend these changes to the government as they will allow the free market to continue to operate, reduce bureaucracy, and cause the least inconvenience and cost to consumers."

ENDS

E-mail re HIP's - just in

Simon

10th October 2006

Dear Supporters

This email is to let you know that tomorrow, Weds 11th October, there is

a debate in the House of Lords on HIPs. It is the last item on the Order

Paper so it is not possible to indicate an exact time. You will be able

to read the debate in Hansard on Thursday or follow it live on the web -

www.parliamentlive.tv

Baroness Hanham is putting the question: "To ask Her Majesty's

Government what is now their policy on Home Information Packs."

I have briefed peers in advance of the debate (and so have AHIPP...) and

I think we can expect some tough questioning of what  is now generally

being referred to as the 'Half-HIP'.

In particular we want to know the detail of just where £4 million of tax

payer money is being spent in the Dry Run. My betting is that some of it

will go toward subsidising the cost of the packs for those taking part.

This immediately negates the objectivity of the Dry Run - already in

question as it is being run by AHIPP which is a totally self-interested

body. There are many other unanswered questions but it seems very likely

that we are about to see another farce along the lines of the Bristol

Pilot. If that turns out to be true then the Press will undoubtedly see

it as a waste of tax payers' money. I am continuing to question DCLG on

these matters.

In terms of the practical application of the Half-HIP (if we have to

have it at all) then the favourable solution is to have the Energy

Efficiency Report as a voluntary document during marketing, only

becoming a mandatory document at exchange of contracts. The reports

should be made a requirement at the Land Registry when the sale is

recorded. In this way there is no increase in bureaucracy and sellers

will not be forced to incur the cost without a sale in prospect.

For the legal documentation, Pack providers or solicitor/conveyancers

should issue an electronic certificate to show the pack has been

commissioned by an agent or seller.  Following this route would remove

the need for an artificial delay in the commencement of marketing.

I shall shortly be writing to you with regard to the ongoing and future

work of SPLINTA as it is clear that - whilst there is still a very large

amount to do in the coming year - many of you see the need for its

continuance after the HIP battle is over. There are a number of industry

issues that  need robust representation at the highest levels and I will

set out proposals to you in the very near future.

Kind regards

Nick Salmon FNAEA Joint Co-Ordinator SPLINTA

I don’t remember the rain coming down in torrential downpours like this for years.
In the last couple of weeks we have got absolutely drenched on our walks around the Island & yet it’s still so mild. Got into work late today (9.15), as I had to dig out the blocked ditch & empty the gutters that were overflowing every time it rained – at least I didn’t get wet!
Simon

Youngest son (aged 10) has to get to school – drop him off at the rural bus stop – the bus arrives, but doesn’t stop because it is too full - leaving boy upset at bus stop.
This has now happened twice in the last week.

We thought we had better advise someone, before the bad weather starts.
The School – Yes, we are aware there is trouble with Southern Vectis.

The Council – (who issue the bus passes) Yes, we are aware, we are trying to sort things out.

Southern Vectis – Yes we know it’s a busy route, we expect route No 6 to get quieter in the winter.