FAQs
Some short and straightforward answers are given below to 10 key questions based on the Local Government Association toolkit to help councils scrutinize non-departmental public bodies.
Who's in charge?
We are governed by an independent Board. Its nine members have extensive experience of advocacy, business, consumer issues, governance, local government and national regulation. The Chair is accountable to the Secretary of State for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).
How much public money is spent?
We receive the majority of our income as ‘grant in aid' from BIS. In 2008-09 and 2009-10, our allocations were £4.4 million and £4.1 million respectively, while our total expenditure including capital was £4.4 million and £4.5 million (with the difference funded by other income sources). Breakdowns of our programme spend and costs are given in our Annual Reports.
What corporate social responsibility polices have been implemented?
Our equal opportunities and diversity policy applies to our work and recruitment procedures, and we have a range of flexible and family-friendly policies for our staff, such as the provision of child care vouchers. We are committed to best practice when disposing of materials and developing energy and waste management controls, although our impact is limited given our size. Through our work, we help regulatory services contribute to meeting outcome-focused targets with environmental health implications.
What is being done to improve value for money?
This is a central to our initiatives. For example, it is estimated that Primary Authority will save businesses at least £32 million per year. We also scrutinize our internal operations from this perspective. The implementation of a new financial system saved money while enhancing our procedures.
How local are operations?
Our remit covers the whole of the UK, but its extent varies, so we liaise with the devolved administrations as required. We are a small team and have only one office, in central Birmingham. Where staff work in other areas, we share office space, for example with BIS in London and the Welsh Assembly Government in Cardiff.
How much partnership work is undertaken?
Collaborative delivery is at the heart of our approach. Initiatives are shaped and launched in partnership with relevant stakeholders. During 2009-10, more than 200 local authorities were engaged with our projects. We work with our coalition of professional and representative bodies - including national regulators - to enhance the system as a whole. We encourage the achievement of excellence via continuous sector-led self-assessment and development.
Are people kept informed?
We have an extensive events programme and a monthly newsletter. New publications are drawn to the attention of relevant local authority personnel by email or post where they exist as a printed document. Our website is extensive and includes all our reports, brochures, leaflets, case studies, updates and background information.
Are the views of others heard?
As well as working with our coalition, we receive vital input from our local authority and business reference panels. We also conduct formal and informal consultations on a regular basis.
How good is the response to scrutiny?
Our work is overseen by the Better Regulation Executive (BRE). We are also subject to Parliamentary scrutiny, particularly by the Regulatory Reform Committee. Parliamentary and Freedom of Information questions are answered promptly and with full disclosure. The implementation of the recommendations of management letters prepared by the National Audit Office (NAO) and any other relevant external bodies is a key responsibility of our Audit Committee.
How effective is the contribution to local area assessment?
Although we are not directly involved with local area assessment, we have given significant support to local authorities. Our guide to the development of meaningful indicators to assess the impacts and outcomes of operations has helped regulatory services to have more informed discussions about the allocation of resources, as well as increasing general awareness of their initiatives - enhancing their profile in local strategic partnerships. We have also worked with SOLACE to highlight the role of regulatory services in meeting LAA priorities, including the level of business satisfaction in relation to their activities (National Performance Indicator 182).
