£13k Boost For Trading Standards And Environmental Health

Work to improve the regional co-ordination of regulatory services in England has been given a big cash boost.

The Local Better Regulation Office (LBRO) has agreed to invest £132,000 in four pilot areas to test new ways of integrating regional trading standards and environmental health co-ordination.

And following discussions with LBRO, the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) will contribute to the costs of the existing regional co-ordination arrangements in 2009/10.

LBRO is making the investments because it believes that regional capacity is integral to delivering efficient local services, collaborating effectively and sharing best practice.

Clive Grace, the LBRO Chair, said: "This is a significant investment in an important part of the system of local regulation. By co-operating regulatory services can work more efficiently, improve protection from - and share data on - rogue traders, and reduce unnecessary burdens on law-abiding businesses.

"The pilots in particular will provide an insight into how best to bring regulators from different authorities and disciplines together.

"LBRO is committed to maintaining and expanding the existing regional co-ordination network, as well as to encouraging innovation through the pilot schemes. We support this work because we believe it will lead to better services for business and better protection for the vulnerable at a difficult time for many companies and individuals.

"We are delighted by BERR's support and are sure it will be warmly welcomed. We will continue to work with all the organisations involved to find a long-term, sustainable way of funding regional co-ordination."

BERR's funding commitment will help sustain the existing regional co-ordination arrangements in England. It tops up a previous agreement from LBRO to provide £112,500 towards the cost of regional working in 2009/10. Discussions are ongoing about the long-term funding of the work.

(JM)