Contact: Sue Sylvester, Policy and Performance Officer, ext 7493

1 Purpose:

1.1 The Council has a statutory duty to enforce a range of legislation through its Trading Standards service. The Regulatory Services Best Value review has examined the impact that Trading Standards and Scientific Services have in protecting and meeting public and business needs

1.2 The vision for the service and the issues to be addressed in the course of the review are outlined in paragraphs 2.1 and 2.2 of the attached report.

1.3 At the meeting on 16 January 2003, the Policy & Resources PRC agreed that an outcome report and improvement plan should be developed based on:-

· implementing the service improvements that can be achieved within existing resources as identified in option two of the options report;

· refocusing the resources within the wider organisation of Regulatory Services, so that they meet the greatest priorities for improvement identified in option three of the options report;

· developing effective partnerships to explore further improvements, as identified in option four of the options report.

2 Best Value

2.1 The review has established that Regulatory Services are currently well regarded. However, best value will be achieved by the refocusing of existing resources to achieve the identified improvements.

3 Outcomes sought

3.1 The following service improvement outcomes have been identified:-

1. Improved targeting of resources on the `fair trading' concerns of businesses and the public by introducing an intelligence led approach to enforcement.

2. Further research and development of work to protect the vulnerable in society.

3. Reduced Trading Standards food sampling budget to release resources to address outcome 2.

4. Greater understanding of the changing concerns and expectations of the public and businesses through improved dialogue and feedback.

5. Increased awareness by the public and businesses about services provided and achievements.

6. Increased awareness of partnership opportunities and more joint working with external agencies.

7. Improved performance management and continued comparison against best practice authorities and organisations.

8. Improved efficiency and effectiveness of current service delivery methods by addressing a range of management issues arising from the review findings including the EFQM (European Foundation for Quality Management) and equalities assessments.

2.2 It is anticipated that these service outcomes can be achieved within existing resources and within existing levels of staffing.

3 Members

3.1 The following members have participated in this review:

· Cllr J Bryant

· Cllr P Devereux

· Cllr P Luffman

4 The review details:

4.1 It was estimated that the direct costs of this review would be £10,000. The actual direct costs have totalled £6,000.

4.2 The review has taken an estimated 70 officer days to complete compared with the original estimate of 100 officer days, although detailed time recording has not been undertaken. Members have asked that these indirect costs are converted to a financial value. At a mid-level salary rate of £220 per day (allowing for both salary and on costs) the total estimated staff costs are £15,400.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

1. The attached outcome report and improvement plan be agreed as representing the views of this Committee.

2. The Executive Member for Policy and Resources is advised of the outcome of this Best Value review and is requested to implement the improvement plan

3. Arrangements are made for the Committee to receive annual progress reports until the improvement plan is completed.

4. A summary of the review is prepared in the standard format for inclusion in the Best Value Performance Plan.

Section 100D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB The list excludes:

1. Published works.

2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.