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Published Delegated Executive Decisions

Welcome. This system contains information about published delegated executive decisions, including exemptions.

Decision Number: 0078 2014/15

Executive Portfolio:
Environment and Neighbourhoods
Decision Number:
0078 2014/15
Exempt / Confidential Item:
No
Ward(s) Affected:
None
Declarations of Interest Received:
None
Title:
Establishment of Primary Authority Agreement Princes Ltd of Liverpool
Summary of Decision:
St Helens Trading Standards & Environmental Health Services to enter a primary authority agreement with Princes Ltd in accordance with the Regulatory Enforcement & Sanctions Act 2008 ( as amended )
Proposed Decision:
Princes Ltd are an international food and drink group involved in the manufacture, import and distribution of branded and customer own-brand products. Annual sales are in excess of £2 billion. The registered office is at the Royal Liver building in Liverpool and until recently the business has had a "home authority" partnership with Liverpool City Council. Princes Ltd would now like to move to a more formalised and statutory "primary authority" arrangement and Liverpool CC are unable to service this. Succinctly primary authority provides a single point of contact for all LA`s and the controlling mind of a business. This helps ensure consistent advice and support and effective two way communication between regulators and the regulated. Currently over 1500 businesses have an agreement with 230 LA`s. Princes Ltd have approached St Helens MBC on the basis of the professionalism and expertise of our food officers and the reputation of the Council as a whole in being well governed and forward thinking. St Helens Trading Standards Trading Standards currently has a successful primary authority with Autotrader Ltd which was established in April 2014 and the Environmental Health team have a primary authority agreement with Palmer & Harvey which was established in January of this year. Primary authority agreements are statutory governed and we propose to follow the standard terms and conditions produced by BRDO ( Better Regulation Delivery Office ) who administerthe primary authority scheme. These terms and conditions and the proposed agreement are attached below. Any agreement must be ultimately ratified by BRDO.
Summary of Reason for Decision:
Developmet of officers directly transferable to supporting local businesses. Prestige of supporting a global business based within the Region. Limited liability with full cost recovery. Potential to develop and grow primary authority provision, funded by business.
Reason for Decision:
Reasons supporting the decision include ; Development of food officers, including training opportunities, afforded by working with a global food business. Increased, and transferable knowledge, which is applicable to local food businesses. Strictly time managed as highlighted in the Partnership Summary attached below, and full cost recovery based on the approved chargable hourly rates for Senior Trading Standards Officers & Environmental Health Officers ( currently £39.48/hr ) Prestige in working in partnership with a regionally based global business. Existing primary authority partnerships have proved successful and manageable within current resources. Liability for the Authority is limited to the amount paid in that year by Princes to St Helens MBC for the advice given. Approximately 10hrs/month at £39.48/hr would giva a maximum liability of £4737.60 per annum in the unlikely event should such a claim be made. The Primary Authority regime is administered by the Better REgulation Delivery Office ( BRDO ) who are a part of BIS ( Dept for Business. Innovation & Skills ) and is a statutory scheme under the Regulatory Enforcement & Sanctions Act 2008 ( as amended ) The agreement is reviewed at least annually and can be terminated by either party giving 2 months notice.
Risks Associated with this Decision:
None
Measures to Redress Risk:
Anti Poverty / Human Rights / Agenda 21 Implications:
None
Attachments:
Please Contact Darrell Wilson - Ext 6493 for more details.