Regional Working
LBRO recognises the benefits that regional working and coordination can provide and has supported the continuation of the national trading standards network as well as the development of four regional regulatory services partnerships across trading standards and environmental health.
Trading standards coordination
In 2002, funding was provided by BERR (now BIS) for the regional coordination of trading standards services across each English region and Wales. This money has yielded a strong partnership framework which is now integral to trading standards activity and provides benefits to central government, local services, consumers and businesses alike. Regional groups have evolved to meet local needs and national priorities and due to this there are variations in their governance. LBRO has supported the regions to date and is now encouraging them to develop sustainable funding solutions.
Regional regulatory partnership pilots (trading standards and environmental health)
In 2008 it was proposed that LBRO could provide assistance to regional groups that wanted to make significant progress towards stronger partnership working across regulatory disciplines or wished to build on developing fledging partnerships with the potential for significant impact for local authorities, businesses, consumers, workers and the environment.
Funding was granted to four pilots based in the North West, South West, East of England and North East. Each has slightly different approaches and project plans in place.
Regional Pilots Update - February (12/02/2010 PDF - 66 KB / 6 pages)
For further information about regional working please contact Policy Analyst Heena Prajapati on heena.prajapati@lbro.org.uk or via 0121 226 4000.
