The Government has announced (Thursday 3 March 2016) the way forward from here with a Cutting Red Tape review of Local Authority-enforced regulation.
The purpose is to identify and remove barriers to growth and costs placed on businesses by local enforcement authorities, and gather evidence of where avoidable burdens are placed on local government. The scope of the review includes planning and building control, housing regulations, food safety, standards and hygiene, environmental protection and health and safety. Further details about the review can be found using the following link https://cutting-red-tape.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/local-authorities/
It is important that the role of Trading Standards is considered within the wider context of local government regulation. The review of Trading Standards looked at how delivery could be improved and focused on a number of issues regarding financial sustainability, the impact of local devolution and the important role of Primary Authority in cost recovery. But it did not consider the extent to which regulations enforced by Trading Standards are necessary or relevant to today’s economy. The Cutting Red Tape review will examine many aspects of local authority-enforced regulation and the way it is implemented or enforced which could be made simpler, more cost-effective, efficient, proportionate, or consistent.
The new review will look more broadly at the implementation and enforcement of regulation by local authorities, it will build on the existing review of Trading Standards, and present all findings and the government response to the findings on Trading Standards alongside the rest of this review. It will seek evidence on everything from how inspections and visits are conducted and how data is requested through to guidance, advice and how accountable and responsive local authorities are to business needs. However, the scope of the review will not include fees and charges.