1. Supporting Compliance: Effectives Guidance and Advice to Business

2. Effective guidance and advice 1.Assurance 2.Appropriateness 3.Accessibility

3. 1. Assurance Primary Authority: A New Model of Regulation Assured advice, a joined up local system that saves businesses money £250,000 SAVING FROM ONE PIECE OF ADVICE Legally recognised partnership between business and Local Authority Provision of legally assured advice Inspection plans to provide national certainty Building business support relationship and trust

4. Primary Authority Primary Authority allows businesses to form a statutory partnership with one local authority, which then provides robust and reliable advice which other councils have to take into account. Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2007 The scheme enables businesses to benefit from clearer, assured advice and more consistent enforcement. Government has extended Primary Authority to (smaller) businesses where they share an approach to compliance. This includes franchises and trade associations. Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 The scheme creates a joined up regulatory system that saves businesses time and money, improves public protection and consumer confidence.

5. Primary Authority 433 local authorities

6. HEAD OFFICE PRIMARY AUTHORITY LOCAL PREMISES ENFORCING AUTHORITY Information Advice Feedback Support Delivering Compliance Controls Reporting How PA should work in practice

7. Primary Authority Coordinated partnerships 33,500 ACS members

8. CO-ORDINATOR PRIMARY AUTHORITY BUSINESS ENFORCING AUTHORITY Information Advice Feedback Support Delivering Compliance Advice Queries How PA should work in practice

9. Why - that’s how business works in the UK – and in Europe? Who - importance of coordinators e.g. Is there any evidence it works? Primary Authority in Practice

10. Primary Authority Awards 2013 The Primary Authority Awards recognise exceptional work of local authorities, businesses and individuals within Primary Authority. Last year’s winners: Partnership for: Age restricted sales, Fair trading Food safety and hygiene Food standards Health and safety Outcome: Improvement in average National Food Hygiene Scheme rating from 4.3 in Oct 2011 to 4.8 in Feb 2013 A drop to zero prosecutions and enforcement notices, for an estate of over 900 premises across the UK. The partnership has raised standards and added rigour to business processes.

11. 2. Appropriateness Business Advice Safer Food, Better Business: Food Standards Agency New EU requirements were due to increase compliance costs for 400,000 SMEs An optional, business friendly management system Contains a pull out step-by-step checklist and diary pages to record checks and was tailored to different business sectors 87% of SMEs reported that it helped them manage their businesses 45% felt that it made their businesses more profitable

12. Worked with 33 high risk premises to identify barriers to compliance and provide support to address them 57% reduction in the number of high risk premises Complaints reduced by 45% Chinatown Initiative: Westminster City Council A significant number of persistent high risk food premises were identified Its attractiveness as a tourist destination was linked to its culinary reputation Chinese Masterchef was developed

13. Businesses pay charges outlined in a published guidance document, in accordance with the assessed level of risk Investment in capital equipment to reduce discharges leads to a reduced level of charges Operational Risk Appraisal: Environment Agency Provides a consistent way of assessing the environmental risk of businesses’ activity Three ‘tiers’ based on the risks of the given activity, its nature, location and management

14. 3. Accessibility.gov.uk The gov.uk website provides a single source for all government information. Business have a single portal for regulatory advice and guidance

15. Better Business for All BBfA is a partnership approach to addressing local regulatory issues. The purpose of BBfA is to build a local partnership between businesses and regulators to promote growth – Easing real and perceived burdens for business Changing the way local regulation is delivered on the ground Creating confidence in businesses, customers and regulators that protections remain

16. In summary National Regional Business Local Business Reference Panel Trade Associations Policy Ministries Better Business for All Business Associations Local Regulators Service Standards Premises Inspectors Primary Authority Businesses Regulators Advice should be 1.Assured 2.Appropriate 3.Accessible