Introduction

Eleven London Borough Trading Standards Services have come together to form the London Trading Standards Benchmarking Club. The member authorities are set out at the end of this document.

Following comparisons of outturns from members of the benchmarking club it was recognised that benchmarking was more than just comparing statistics. These raw statistics were reviewed in detail together with the additional information provided by club members and from these the following criteria were distilled as the measures against which a good trading standards authority should be benchmarked.

It is the intention of the club to review the framework in detail, setting out parameters and specific criteria for each headline criteria. It is the eventual aim to allow each authority to plot how they compare in relation to other club members and to identify areas for improvement.

As a statement of principle, club members recognised a good Trading Standards Department as one which will as core activities:

• investigate all complaints made under criminal trading standards legislation
• provide an advice, assistance and educative service to both consumers and local businesses
• carry out pro-active work to secure compliance
• undertake regular routine inspection and sampling programmes
• take legal action where appropriate

In respect of its Trading Standards Service a good authority would be measured against the following benchmarks:-

1. That there should exist a policy statement clearly setting the aims and objectives of the Trading Standards Service.

2. That an annual workplan exists agreed and subsequently reviewed by Members. The workplan should include outcome measures.

3. That realistic resources are made available to the Service to meet the assessed needs of the community.

4. That in key areas of service, clear standards are published setting out the level of performance the public and business can expect to receive.

5. That there is the widest possible access to enable all potential users to make use of the Service.

6. The extent to which the community has input into the design of the Service thereby ensuring that the needs of the local community are being met.

7. The extent to which the Service has established or sought to establish partners both internally and externally.

8. The extent to which the Service seeks to co-ordinate its work with other related bodies, and by the consistency of its enforcement action.

9. Its helpfulness to local consumers.

10. Its helpfulness to and openess with local businesses.

11. That a written enforcement policy exists which is clear and well publicised.

12. The extent to which it keeps under review the legislative framework within which it operates and makes recommendations for change where appropriate in order to better protect consumers and responsible businesses.

13. That documented quality procedures of key processes are in place which are audited to ensure the Service aims are met and it complies with best working practices.

14. That it values and empowers its staff.

15. That it is open to external scrutiny and accreditation and has an easily accessible complaints procedure in place.

The London Trading Standards Benchmarking Club is comprised of representatives from the following London Borough Trading Standards Services :-