Better relations between business and the regulators
Retra has been helping businesses cut red tape and make their relations with local councils and other regulators operate more smoothly.
Gateshead's latest centre meeting for local retra members welcomed Gordon Madden from the Local Better Regulations Office (LBRO). He was joined by Philip Soderquest from Environmental Health, Northumberland, and Alison Brydon from Trading Standards, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear.
The Trading Places initiative, organised in partnership with LBRO, the public body responsible for making local regulation simpler and fairer, covered a wide range of issues, from health and safety and environmental health to trading.
Businesses heard about the support and advice provided by regulatory services departments - often their local council. There was also the opportunity for regulatory officers to see how their decisions affect operations by spending time at the ‘business end' of things.
Bryan Lovewell, Chief Executive of retra, said: "This was a fantastic opportunity for retra members to learn more about a key aspect of running a business. Regulation is an area that can cause confusion so we were very pleased to welcome Gordon and the other speakers to the event. Retra will always try to smooth the path for businesses, and the information that can be gleaned from centre meetings regularly provides practical ways for members to improve their trade."
Graham Russell, Chief Executive of LBRO, said: "Good regulation is good business - it means safer, fairer working for those who comply, and protection from those rogue traders who don't. Close working relationships between business and regulators should be the norm, and can save a lot of time and money."
The event also provided information about Primary Authority, run by LBRO, which enables companies working across more than one location to have one local authority as a point of contact for reliable and consistent regulatory advice on environmental health, trading standards and licensing services. Government estimates suggest the scheme could eventually save business across the UK up to £50m a year.
For businesses, a primary authority partnership will mean consistency of local inspection and enforcement activity. For local authorities primary authority will provide the opportunity to influence compliance nationally and to save money.
For more information contact about Trading Places or Primary Authority, contact LBRO on 0121 226 4000.
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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
2. 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 to Jo Barker or Roland Curtis. Tel: 0121 226 4019.