Hat-trick of PA agreements announced at LBRO conference
19 Novermber 2009
The announcement of three new Primary Authority agreements was a highlight at LBRO's annual conference in London, attended by 150 delegates from local government, business and the regulatory community.
Key note speaker, Ian Lucas, the Minister for Business and Regulatory Reform, announced the agreements between Asda, the first major supermarket to sign up, and Wakefield Council; TK Maxx and Watford Council; and Bright Star Fireworks and North Yorkshire County Council.
LBRO Chairman Clive Grace took the opportunity to emphasise how better regulation is vital to both prosperity and public protection. He said: "We have an opportunity to create a new relationship between local authorities, business and consumers which is, importantly, underpinned by consensus among the major political parties on the agenda for better regulation and its principles."
Alex Brummer, the Daily Mail's City Editor, was one of the conference hosts, and there were contributions from Matthew Fell, Director of Company Affairs at the CBI; Deputy Chief Executive of the HSE, Kevin Myers; Janet Russell OBE, Director of Environment, Transportation and Property at Kirklees Council; and Suleman Khonat, National President of the National Federation of Retail Newsagents.
Ben Page, the chief executive of IPSOS MORI, led a provocative question and answer session, and businesswoman Karren Brady, formerly managing director of Birmingham City FC and now advising Sir Alan Sugar on BBC's The Apprentice, provided a similarly provocative insight into managing organisational change.
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
LBRO: Jo Barker or Roland Curtis. Tel: 0121 226 4019.
Email: jo.barker@lbro.org.uk or roland.curtis@lbro.org.uk