Business dating could be a Valentine's Day boost for the economy
A ‘dating service' that is driving local councils and businesses closer together is playing an important role in to ensuring the UK's economic recovery continues on track.
The Valentine's Day message, inviting council officers to get to know local firms better by spending time with them in their offices and factories, is aimed at easing burdens on business.
It comes from LBRO, the public body responsible for better regulation, which is asking businesses and enforcement officers from Trading Standards, Environmental Health and Health and Safety departments, to get involved in its Trading Places scheme.
LBRO Chairman Clive Grace argues that with small and medium size businesses responsible for generating the majority of jobs in the UK, and a considerable proportion of its national wealth, better understanding of businesses by enforcement officers can be a significant factor in the recovery of the UK's fragile economy.
He said: "Previous LBRO research has shown that local authority enforcement officers are the most visible face of councils to the commercial community. Their decisions can have a huge impact on businesses that trade on astonishingly fine margins, and which play an important part in the community.
"Getting to know businesses better, whatever their size, will mean more informed decision-making, and better decisions. Everyone benefits from improved prosperity and protection - business, consumers, the community and, in turn, the local authority."
LBRO is offering to set up placements on behalf of councils and business. Fostering understanding between local authority regulatory services and the businesses they monitor removes cultural barriers to communication, strengthens working relationships, encourages mutual trust, and promotes a partnership approach to achieving compliance with the law.
Trading Places is open to any size of business. Available in one or two-day formats, Trading Places gives enforcement officers the opportunity to see the impact of their decisions on companies by placing them at the business-end of regulation.
Trading Places is endorsed by business organisations including the CBI, British Chambers of Commerce, British Retail Consortium; the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health and the Trading Standards Institute. For more information about Trading Places email jenny.nobes@lbro.org.uk or call www.lbro.org.uk or call 0121 226 4045.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. The Local Better Regulation Office (LBRO) helps local authorities improve their environmental health, trading standards, fire safety and licensing services - reducing burdens on businesses that comply with the law while targeting those who flout it. It was incorporated as a government-owned limited company in May 2007. Following the commencement of the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008 on 1 October 2008, it now operates as an executive non-departmental public body, accountable to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills through the Better Regulation Executive. LBRO is governed by an independent Board, has a staff of around 25 and is based in central Birmingham. Our remit covers the whole of the UK and we liaise closely with the devolved administrations to ensure our work in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is appropriate. For further information please visit www.lbro.org.uk
Media enquiries
LBRO: Jo Barker or Roland Curtis. Tel: 0121 226 4019.
Email: jo.barker@lbro.org.uk or roland.curtis@lbro.org.uk