Training Coordinators Targeted to Encourage Regulatory Staff to Trade Places
Local authority training providers are encouraged to send regulatory staff into the commercial world to find out first-hand how council inspection and enforcement operations impact on the day-to-day running of businesses.
This message comes from the Local Better Regulation Office (LBRO) who have developed Trading Places - a practical learning experience open to all environmental health, fire safety, licensing and trading standards officers working in local authorities - and would like to see it incorporated into training plans.
Trading Places gives inspectors the opportunity to spend two days at the premises of major companies, gaining valuable insight into how they are run and the challenges they can face when dealing with regulation.
Graham Russell, LBRO Chief Executive said:
"Through Trading Places local authority regulators have the chance to spend time in the commercial world learning about the many activities a business has to undertake in order to be compliant. This is a valuable training experience which will give inspectors a better understanding of the real-world impact of regulation. The Trading Places experience should be considered an essential part of regulatory training development and I would like to see all local authorities taking up the challenge."
Notes to editors
1. Local Authorities interested in taking part in Trading Places should contact LBRO on 0121 226 4000 or visit www.lbro.org.uk
2. Trading Places was launched nationally on 25 March 2009 following a successful pilot carried out in 2008 with major retailers, including Sainsbury's, Tesco, B&Q and Asda. Almost 30 local authorities took part.
3. 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 of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform through the Better Regulation Executive. LBRO is governed by an independent Board, has a staff of around 25 and is based in central Birmingham. It has a remit that covers the whole of the UK, and works closely with the devolved administrations to ensure its work in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is appropriate to the unique constitutional position of each. For further information about LBRO please visit www.lbro.org.uk
Media enquiries to Nicky Sammons on 0121 226 4019, email Nicola.sammons@lbro.org.uk.