Trading Standards - policies and plans

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In 1998, Renfrewshire Council adopted the UK Government's 'Enforcement Concordat'. This is a document which sets out the principles of good enforcement practice. The trading standards service adopted these principles, which are to:

• publish clear standards and monitor performance against them
• be open, give information in plain language, and consult customers
• be helpful
• have a comprehensive, easily-accessible complaints procedure
• take enforcement action proportionate to any offence found
• be consistent, fair and equitable.

Enforcement policy
The trading standards service went further by launching its own enforcement policy to set out in detail what traders can expect when its officers are carrying out enforcement duties.

Enforcement Policy (pdf - 76KB)

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This policy tells traders about what we do routinely, like entering their premises and examining goods for compliance with all relevant laws. It explains when an officer can legally buy or sample goods, inspect or seize and detain documents or goods.

When an officer finds that a trader is not complying with all the relevant laws,he/she will take enforcement action to make sure the problem is fixed. This can be formal or informal. Informal action is most common and includes verbal advice and written warnings. Formal action is used much less often, and it includes issuing formal notices and prosecution. Prosecution and the most powerful notices are normally used only when a trader intentionally breaks the law. Traders who innocently break the law are likely to be dealt with in more informal ways.

Consultation

We are looking for comments on whether we need to change our enforcement policy. If you want to comment on this, please contact us.

Service Delivery Plan

Trading standards publish a service delivery plan which explains the goals the service is aiming to achieve. The service delivery plan explains:

• tasks and activities
• plans to achieve these
• completion dates

It covers the following themes:

• modernising government
• sustainable development
• social inclusion
• learning and work
• health and social care
• housing, neighbourhoods and community safety

Service delivery plan outcomes

Each year trading standards monitors it's service delivery plan and publishes a review of our level of success in achieving the planned outcomes. Below are our service delivery plan outcomes for the years 2005/2006, 2006/2007, 2007/2008 and 2008/09.

Service delivery plan - outcomes 2005 to 2006 (pdf - 184kb)

Service delivery plan - outcomes 2006 to 2007 (pdf - 368kb)

Service delivery plan - outcomes 2007 to 2008 (pdf - 303kb)

Service delivery plan - outcomes 2008 to 2009 (pdf - 191kb)

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For more information about trading standards' policies and plans:

• email: ts.es@renfrewshire.gov.uk
• phone: 0141 840 3184
• fax: 0141 842 5457
• call in or write to us at:
  Trading Standards
  Environmental Services
  Renfrewshire House
  Cotton Street
  Paisley
  PA1 1UG