Bolton signs four Primary Authority partnerships
2 February 2010
Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council is making a real impact with Primary Authority, after signing four partnerships with major manufacturing firms in the Bolton area.
Sayers the Bakers, Cosatto Ltd, Georgia Pacific and Hoover Candy, have all signed up to Primary Authority partnerships; making Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council their single point of contact for their depots and outlets wherever they are in the UK.
Farnworth-based Cosatto Ltd, which makes and supplies high quality nursery products and furniture, and consumer hygiene products manufacturer Georgia Pacific, based in Horwich, and Hoover Candy in Bolton, which makes vacuum cleaners and other electrical products, are all covered for product safety and consumer credit. Sayers has over 150 outlets in the North West, and is covered for food standards, food safety and health and safety.
Richard Lindley, Group Manager for Trading Standards Consumer Advice and Licensing Enforcement at the council, said: "The Primary Authority agreements entered into by Bolton Council will ensure a consistent approach to enforcement throughout the UK with the companies concerned.
"Allowing a risk based approach to enforcement, working closely with the businesses to improve compliance and reduce any unnecessary burdens on them allowing Bolton to concentrate more on traders with a high risk or who are persistent offenders."
Clive Grace, the Chairman of LBRO, the public body that administers Primary Authority, said: ""Bolton really is making a big impact with local manufacturers who can rely on the council's growing expertise in this sector. They have a very positive, forward-thinking approach which supports local economic activity whilst improving consumer protection."
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. The Primary Authority scheme was designed by the Better Regulation Executive and approved by Parliament as part of the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008. Primary Authority came into law on 6 April 2009. Primary Authority partnerships are available to any business that trades across two or more council boundaries, regardless of size. Small businesses that sell from websites, for example, have the same access to consistent advice about trading standards and health and safety rules as big manufacturing or construction companies. The scheme will improve compliance to the benefit of business, consumers and communities.
Media enquiries
LBRO: Jo Barker or Roland Curtis. Tel: 0121 226 4019.
Email: jo.barker@lbro.org.uk or roland.curtis@lbro.org.uk