Better for Consumers, Workers and the Environment
Councils play a bigger role in protecting communities than many people realise.By enforcing the laws that the government sets, they make sure that food is safe, air is clean, and goods are sold fairly. Council trading standards, environmental health and licensing staff can be a great source of free and impartial advice about your rights - even before something goes wrong.
These regulatory services don't just protect consumers. They also ensure that workplaces are safe and that businesses follow the rules on protecting the environment.
The Local Better Regulation Office is helping local authorities protect consumers, workers and the environment more effectively.
If you have an idea about how to improve local regulation, you can make a suggestion to the Government at www.betterregulation.gov.ukFor advice about your consumer rights and help with contacting your council, visit www.direct.gov.uk
The Citizen in Regulation
The Government's Big Society initiative has focused attention on how the citizen can be better incorporated into the process of providing public services. The following document examines the existing evidence on the concepts of citizen involvement, co-production and co-regulation with a view to understanding the extent to which the citizen can be brought into the process of regulation, especially at local level, and how such participation can be achieved.