Local authority regulatory services protect the public and ensure a fair trading environment exists by licensing and regulating activities and premises; advising on and enforcing public health and trading standards.
The role of local authorities
Local authority Trading Standards & Environmental Health Services, taken as a whole, are the largest enforcement operation across England and Wales. They enforce hundreds of pieces of legislation and operate in nearly every industrial and commercial sector. However, their role has developed into a far wider one than just enforcement. These services play a crucial role in their local communities and provide key support to local businesses. These core services to the public are about the quality and standards of life. They make our communities safe places in which to live, shop and entertain.
The regulatory services of a council include:-
- environmental health
- trading standards
- pollution control
- pest control
- building control
- advice services
- licensing
- food safety
- health and safety
- animal health & welfare
Local authorities aim to protect the public through proactive, consistent enforcement of legislation and the provision of advice to reduce risk to health, prevent nuisance, and minimise crime and disorder.
For more information contact: Simon Wilkinson