Issue - items at meetings - Expanding the remit of Trading Standards South East Ltd

Report of the Director of Environment (copy attached).

1.     That approval be given to allow the Trading Standards Service to continue to contribute fully to company developments and joined-up working and continue to incorporate the Business Plan objectives into the Service’s own planning process.

2.     That the nominated Director (currently the Head of Trading Standards) be empowered to agree to the development of the role of the company (within the terms of it Memorandum and Articles of Incorporation and the objectives set out in paragraph 3 below), subject to seeking of advice from the Head of Legal Services, and the approval of the relevant Cabinet Member in respect of any contemplated development beyond those activities referred to in paragraph 3 below.

29.1       The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Director of Environment concerning approval for the continued participation in Trading Standards South East Limited with the expanded remit that includes all regional Trading Standards activity (for copy see minute book).

29.2       The Cabinet Member stated that Trading Standards South East Ltd was a local authority controlled company, of which Brighton & Hove City Council was a member. The primary purpose for forming the company had been to act as the vehicle to manage to contract to run Consumer Director South East (CDSE), the regional based national advice funded by the Office of Fair Trading. The Cabinet Member stated that approval was being sought for continuing the partnership and support for the expansion of the remit of the company to cover all partnership activity.

29.3       Councillor Mitchell stated that she supported the proposals, which would allow further joined-up working. She requested that regular updates be brought to the meeting and thanked the officers involved, making specific reference to success in reducing sales of alcohol to under-age consumers and the achievements of Scambusters.

29.4       RESOLVED – That having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report, the Cabinet Member accepted the following recommendations:

(1)       That approval be given to allow the Trading Standards Service to continue to contribute fully to company developments and joined-up working and continue to incorporate the Business Plan objectives into the Service’s own planning process.

(2)       That the nominated Director (currently the Head of Trading Standards) be empowered to agree to the development of the role of the company (within the terms of it Memorandum and Articles of Incorporation and the objectives set out in paragraph 3 below), subject to seeking of advice from the Head of Legal Services, and the approval of the relevant Cabinet Member in respect of any contemplated development beyond those activities referred to in paragraph 3 below.