Welsh business introduced to red tape cutting scheme
Welsh business is set to benefit from an introduction to an initiative that will cut red tape and save them time and money.
Some of the largest firms in Wales have been invited to learn more about the Primary Authority scheme at a seminar to be held in Llandrindod Wells on Tuesday, March 23rd.
For companies which operate in different local council areas, Primary Authority provides a single point of contact for environmental health, trading standards, health and safety, and licensing services.
It cuts down duplication of effort when complying with the law but most importantly for business, it ensures that advice is reliable and consistent. Currently, businesses run the risk of prosecution, even if they follow official advice, if inspectors from different local authorities disagree about how to interpret regulations.
The Primary Authority scheme is administered by LBRO, the public body responsible for better regulation. Chairman Clive Grace said: "Primary Authority agreements are legally binding and provide assurance to businesses that they are complying with the law.
"These agreements cut out a lot of needless repetition and free up resources for local authorities to concentrate on those rogue traders who flout the law and cause harm to consumers and the environment."
During the seminar, businesses will hear first hand from Wales's largest business, Iceland, about how its Primary Authority partnership with Flintshire Council has worked for them.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. 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.
2. 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 to Jo Barker or Roland Curtis. Tel: 0121 226 4019.
Email: jo.barker@lbro.org.uk or roland.curtis@lbro.org.uk