Agenda item
Trading Standards Annual Report 2014-2015
This report details the work of the Trading Standards Consortium for 2014/15.
Minutes:
TheBoard receiveda reportwhichdetailedthework ofthe TradingStandards Consortium for2014/15.It wasnoted that,as previously requestedby the Board, the report referenced datafrom previous yearsto enable benchmarking.
Memberswere advised thattheservice wasdeveloping amore risk based framework as a result of a reduction in powers arising from the 2012
Protection of Freedom Act. The number of inspections would reduce as officers could only enterand inspect iftherewere specific reasonsto do so such asintelligenceleads,riskassessmentandbusinessestrack record.
In responseto questions,it wasreportedthat:
• Recordsofwebsite compliance checksdid not enable statistics tobe separatelymaintainedforthe internetcomponentofhighstreet businesses;
• With regard to overseas websites, if sufficient information was submitted awebsite could beforced to be takendown but it was usually not possible for the service to recover improper payments madeby localusers;
• Specific powersenabled spotchecks forsale ofrestricted goodsto children,possiblyprosecuted forfirstinstancedependingon circumstances;
• It was difficult to determine the protective characteristics, such as ethnicity,age, genderetc ofbusinessesotherthan soletraders,as the staff, managers,owners will almost always havea rangeof differing protectedcharacteristics;
• Trading standards workedwith a variety of different enforcement agenciesas regardsshishaestablishmentsanddoorstepcrime;
• 17 Freedom of Information (FOI) requestshad been received and respondedtowithin thestatutorytimescale on suchgeneral items as surveillance and underage sales The service provided primary authorityservicesforten businesses
RESOLVED:Thatthereport benoted.
Supporting documents: