For the first
time, Welsh local authorities will have their own national
priorities for wide ranging activity affecting the quality of life
of their citizens - everything from food safety and safer
communities to healthier workplaces and fairer trading.
Today (Tuesday, December 1st) sees the launch of a consultation
paper on the first set of national enforcement priorities for
Wales, prepared by the public body for better local regulation,
LBRO, for the Welsh Assembly Government.
This consultation paper presents four draft national enforcement
priorities for Welsh local regulatory services – environmental
health, trading standards, licensing and fire safety:
• reducing harm to individuals by promoting health improvement;
• ensuring the safety and quality of the food chain to minimise
risk to human and animal health;
• promoting a fair and just trading environment for citizens and
business; and
• improving the local environment to positively influence quality
of life and promote sustainability.
Andrew Davies, Welsh Minister for Finance and Public Service
Delivery, said: “"I welcome the start of this
consultation and look forward to hearing the views of individuals
and organisations. Regulation has an important part to play in
protecting citizen interests and promoting service improvement. We
now need to ensure it as effective and robust as
possible."
Local regulation influences everything from the general health of
the community through to reducing alcohol misuse and delivering
consumer protection; to supporting local economies when tackling
issues such as antisocial behaviour and fly-tipping.
The draft national enforcement priorities are intended to reflect
the fundamental principles of One Wales - accountable,
citizen-centred public services. They seek to address the
regulatory risks and threats faced by citizens in Wales, by
setting out the outcomes that local authorities strive to deliver,
working with other councils, partner agencies, citizens and
business.
However, the distinctiveness of Welsh communities means that
local circumstances and priorities will require different
approaches in different places. Innovative local solutions, based
on local difference, will deliver these nationally important
outcomes tailored to local needs.
Chairman of LBRO Clive Grace said: “Regulation should focus on
the outcomes that the people of Wales need - safer food, more
secure communities, healthier workplaces and fairer trading.
“National enforcement priorities for Wales provide an important
opportunity for local authorities and their regulatory services to
demonstrate the critical role they play in delivering protection
and prosperity for citizens and business at a local and national level.”
This process to develop national enforcement priorities for Wales
has used an evidence-based approach. An expert user group advised
the review process and government departments, agencies and
national regulators supplied supporting evidence. Consumer and
business representative groups and local authorities also provided
views and comments.
The consultation will last from 1 December 2009 to 19 February 2010.
Notes to Editors
1. National enforcement priorities were introduced by the
Regulatory Enforcement and
Sanctions Act 2008 and local authorities are required to have
regard to national enforcement priorities when allocating their resources.
2. The draft priorities and a set of consultation questions are
listed in the consultation paper available at www.lbro.org.uk and
http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/?lang=en
Responses can be
submitted via email to nepconsultation@wales.gov.uk or sent
to:
National Enforcement Priorities
Consultation
Performance and Governance Team
Department
for Public Services and Performance
Welsh Assembly
Government
Cathays Park 1
Cardiff
CF10 5AY
The deadline for responses is Friday 19th February 2010.
3. 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
Contacts:
NDS Enquiries
Phone: For enquiries please contact the above department
ndsenquiries@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Roland Curtis
Phone: 0121 226 4038
roland.curtis@lbro.org.uk
Jo Barker.
Phone: 0121 226 4019
Jo.barker@lbro.org.uk