Thomas Cook takes a break from red tape
23 May 2011
Thomas Cook, one of the world's leading travel companies, has signed up to a scheme that will cut red tape relating to health and safety and fair trading for its operations in the UK.
It is now working with Peterborough City Council in a primary authority partnership, a legally binding agreement that means the council will act as a single point of reference for all fair trading and health and safety regulations.
David Blight, Legal Adviser at Thomas Cook, said: "The partnership allows us to build on our existing relationship with the Council and to operate within applicable legal systems with their support, advice and guidance. We are confident that by increasing the Council's understanding of our business operations, there will be less red tape and the Council will be better placed to deal with enquiries they receive from other authorities in the country."
Andrew White, Senior Trading Standards Officer at Peterborough City Council, said: "Peterborough City Council has enjoyed a productive relationship with Thomas Cook for many years. We welcome the opportunity to strengthen this relationship and provide consistent advice and assurance to the benefit of both Thomas Cook and their customers."
Primary Authority is administered by regulatory delivery organisation LBRO. For companies operating under two or more local councils, the scheme provides reliable and consistent advice from a single source when dealing with environmental health, trading standards, health and safety, and licensing services.
Currently, businesses run the risk of prosecution, even if they follow official advice, if local inspectors disagree about how to interpret regulations. This can also result in discrepancies in protection for consumers, workers and the environment.
LBRO Chief Executive Graham Russell said: "The legal underpinning of Primary Authority gives businesses the assurance they require when seeking to comply with regulation. Trust is essential in the business world and Primary Authority is important thread in the fabric of confidence necessary to encourage growth."
Thomas Cook Group plc is one of the world's leading leisure travel groups with sales of £8.9bn and 22.5 million customers.
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Email: jo.barker@lbro.org.uk or roland.curtis@lbro.org.uk