What is a Primary Authority Partnership?
The CTA and Oxfordshire Trading Standards have formed a Co-ordinated Primary Authority Partnership.
A Primary Authority Partnership enables businesses to form a legal partnership with ONE local authority, which then provides assured and tailored advice on complying with environmental health, trading standards or fire safety regulations that other local regulators must respect.
Primary authorities provide advice to businesses that other local regulators must respect on compliance with the regulations. They can also produce an inspection plan for a business or the members of a trade association (or other type of group), to improve the effectiveness of visits by local regulators and underpin better sharing of information.
ALL businesses can now benefit from Primary Authority:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-regulation-primary-authority
What are the benefits of Primary Authority?
Businesses:
have access to relevant, authoritative tailored advice
gain recognition of robust compliance arrangements
can draw on an established and effective means of meeting business regulations
can be more confident they are protecting themselves and their customers
Regulators:
have greater clarity over where responsibility lies
can support local economic growth through stronger business relationships
can improve the consistency of local regulation and target resources on high-risk areas
can develop their staff expertise via partnerships
can protect front line services through cost recovery
Citizens:
are better protected as businesses find it easier to comply with legislation
are at reduced risk as local authorities better understand the businesses they regulate and can target resources on high-risk areas
What is the Primary Authority Register?
The Primary Authority Register is the secure online service that supports the operation of the scheme. It contains details on every partnership, provides a forum for communications, and allows primary authorities to make important documents and business information readily available to local regulators.
To check who is on the Primary Authority Register:
