Agenda item

To consider for pre-scrutiny, a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services providing an update on Trading Standards following its restructure in 2021/22, and seeking approval of its updated enforcement policy and endorsement of its communications strategy.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services for pre-scrutiny, before consideration by the Executive Member for Countryside, Culture and Communities, providing an update on Trading Standards following its restructure in 2021/22, and seeking approval of its updated enforcement policy and endorsement of its communications strategy.  (Item 7 in the Minute Book).  The new Head of Trading Standards, Richard Strawson, was introduced to the Committee, and it was heard that he had taken up this position in September. 

A presentation was shown to the Committee which highlighted key aspects of the report including details of the restructure, staff, customers, current resources and strategic priorities, along with the proposals due to be considered by the Executive Member.

In response to Members’ questions it was confirmed that:

·        It is difficult to compare Hampshire with other Local Authorities (LA’s) because of different demographics, but income level is high compared to other LA’s, largely due to the geographical location.  Hampshire also receive OPSS funding for product safety work which other LA’s don’t receive.

·        The focus of the service is on its strategic aims and priorities going forward, utilising resources in the best way, managing expectations to deliver a good service and to ensure a structure is in place to control demand.

·        The County Council has seen significant budget reductions over the last few years, and the restructure would strengthen the service for the future as part of an evidence led approach.

·        In relation to paragraph 18 of the report, it was confirmed that complaints are not ignored, but not every complaint is followed up with an investigation.  In these instances, officers would use the information provided as intelligence to best target resources in line with priorities. 

·       The service has recently recruited four apprentices.

·        Prosecution is seen as the last resort, and officers are both mindful of the public expense to prosecute but also whether prosecution will be successful, and is this in the public interest.

·        In relation to health checks on dogs coming into the country from overseas, there are pet passport controls at Southampton and Kent docks, and at the point of import the Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA) will act if there are concerns.

·        A recent email received by the Committee about the Trading Standards service was discussed, and would be responded to.

·        In relation to paragraph 2.1 of the Trading Standards Enforcement Policy at Appendix 2, this wording would be clarified further by officers.

Members of the Select Committee were also shown some recent news footage from ITV Meridian about Trading Standards and safety standards:

Warning as some Halloween-themed products fail to meet safety standards 'putting lives at risk' | ITV News Meridian

The Chairman invited the Executive Member for Countryside, Culture and Communities to speak, and he thanked officers for all their hard work in protecting consumers in Hampshire.  He also noted that while the focus is on Hampshire, there was also a national role with goods coming into the country through Southampton, and it was important to understand this national role.

The Chairman thanked the Executive Member and the recommendations to the Executive Member were unanimously supported by the Committee.

RESOLVED:

That the Countryside, Culture and Communities Select Committee supported the report, and recommended to the Executive Member forCountryside, Culture and Communities that he:

i.            Note the strategic priorities for Trading Standards and their alignment with the County Council’s four Strategic Aims as set out in Appendix 1.

ii.          Approve the revised Enforcement Policy for Trading Standards.

iii.         Endorse a proactive external communications strategy to increase public awareness of risks, facilitate community protection and deter criminality. This approach will augment the impact of direct service delivery, mitigating resource pressures and promoting the benefits of partnership working.

iv.           Note plans to conduct a review of all commercial activity over the next 12 months, with the intention of bringing a commercial strategy for the service to the Executive Member in 2023.