Issue - meetings

Report of the Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods

It was RESOLVED that

a)    The principal of working in collaboration with Nottinghamshire County Council trading standards to deliver Primary Authority Partnerships and associated business advice be approved and

b)    The Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods be delegated authority to finalise and sign a Memorandum of Understanding which will capture the operational arrangements for the collaboration.   

The Portfolio Holder for Community and Leisure presented the report of the Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods which asked for Cabinet’s approval for the Council to enter a collaborative partnership with Nottinghamshire County Council Trading Standards to deliver Primary Authority Partnerships associated business advice. The Portfolio Holder explained that Primary Authority Partnerships were introduced in 2008 and allowed businesses to access assured advice on compliance that must be respected by local authorities. It was noted that there was an opportunity for the Council to respond to the needs of businesses between the Environmental Health service provided by the Borough Council and the Trading Standards provided by Nottingham County Council. The Portfolio Holder stated that a collaboration between the two authorities would create a ‘one stop shop’ for assured advice and other associated business advice to current and future Primary Authority Partnerships.

It seconding the recommendations Councillor Upton noted that the introduction of a Primary Authority Partnership between Trading Standards would simplify the process for businesses to obtain advice.

Following a question from Councillor Robinson it was noted that if approved by Cabinet the Primary Authority Partnership would be in operation from early 2019.  

It was RESOLVED that:

a)    The principle of working in collaboration with Nottinghamshire County Council trading standards to deliver Primary Authority Partnerships and associated business advice be approved and

b)    The Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods be delegated authority to finalise and sign a Memorandum of Understanding which will capture the operational arrangements for the collaboration.

Reason for decisions

It will create a seamless one stop shop for businesses to receive high quality assured advice on regulatory compliance.