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About UsTrading Standards is one of the services delivered by Milton Keynes Council through its Environment Directorate.
Based at the Civic Offices in the city centre, Trading Standards has a staff of 19 officers, divided up into 2 teams
The manager of the service is Philip Winsor (Chief Community Protection Officer). He can be contacted on 01908 252504 or by email at tsd@milton-keynes.gov.uk In particular, our responsibilities cover areas such as: All these activities are legal duties placed on the Council by many Acts of Parliament, Statutory Instruments and European Directives. Generally we carry out our duties by: Where we find trade being carried out illegally, we can take legal action which can range from issuing a warning,
to prosecuting a trader in Court. For further information please see our Enforcement Policy - Environmental Services Enforcement Policy - Our CommitmentWe believe that prevention is better than cure and our role therefore involves actively working with businesses, especially small and medium sized businesses, to advise on and assist with compliance. We will provide a courteous and efficient service and our staff will identifiy themselves by name. We will provide a contact point and telephone point for further contact, and we will encourage businesses to seek advice and information from us. We will ensure that, whenever practicable, our enforcement services are effectively co-ordinated to minimise unnecessary overlaps and time delays. We are commited to achieving a fair and safe environment for all consumers in the Milton Keynes area. We believe that an effective way of doing this is through education and exposing problems through the media. We will ensure that our advice will be put clearly and simply and, where necessary, followed up with helpful leaflets and guidance notes. We will provide confidential interview facilities on request and will always treat people with dignity and without discrimination. We will ensure that, whenever practicable, your requests for advice are met with as soon as possible.
Performance 2007During 2007, Trading Standards:
Priorities 2008/2009Our service plan for the current year identifies a number of high level objectives:
In addition, we will respond to changes and developments in consumer protection during the year and to any particular problem areas that may arise.
What We CostThe cost to the Council of running the Trading Standards Service is equivalent to less than 1p per day for every resident of the city. The service is provided free to consumers and traders, except for the fees charged for licences, registrations and the testing of some trade equipment.
Satisfied With Our Service?We do our best to deliver quality services which reflect what the public and businesses want, and we try to do this to a high professional standard. Listening to the views of the people who receive these services is an essential part of making sure we are getting it right and are improving our services where we can. We want you to tell us in particular Please let us have your views by contacting us directly or by completing our confidential feedback form.
Contacting UsYou can contact us at:
Tel: 08454 04 05 06 - For shopping/consumer advice. Please note: first-line consumer advice is handled by
Consumer Direct. This is their telephone number and is charged for via an 0845 number, which will cost no more than 4p per minute for BT customers (NB: other networks may vary).
Fees ListPlease click on the
InspectionsTrading Standards staff in Milton Keynes carry out spot checks on over 700 businesses a year. The aim of these visits is to establish whether the firm is trading lawfully at the time. Many of these visits are unannounced. Where problems are found, the officers work with the business to correct them, and we are happy to offer guidance to traders at any time on issues concerning their business. In exceptional cases, where the inspection uncovers serious issues or deliberate malpractices, enforcement action may be taken. This can involve the seizure of goods and business records, and possible legal action in Court. Examples of the kind of checks we may carry out on business premises are:
InvestigationsEach year Trading Standards in Milton Keynes expects to investigate many reported instances where criminal offences may be involved. A proportion of these will be found to be justified, and in the most serious cases a legal prosecution can be taken against the trader, business or individual concerned. Many of the charges that can be brought by Trading Standards can result in substantial fines, and sometimes imprisonment. Trading Standards is committed to the principles of the Enforcement Concordat, which is a national agreement setting out how services like Trading Standards should go about its enforcement work and the criteria we should apply in dealing with criminal issues. For example, in deciding what level of legal action is appropriate, we pay close attention to: In carrying out investigations, Trading Standards staff have to adhere to a number of strict legal requirements including:
Business AdviceWe understand that the laws which apply to traders are complicated and time-consuming to follow, and that the great majority of businesses wish to trade lawfully, fairly and respect their customers' rights. We believe that it is much better all round for a business to 'get things right first time' than try to correct them after the event. We also believe strongly that the best way to carry out our enforcement responsibilities is to work closely with the business community to help and advise them on what the law requires and how they should comply. Consequently we work at developing good relationships with the firms based in Milton Keynes, and can provide advice and assistance on any aspect of the legislation we enforce. In order to do that effectively, the Council recognises the importance of investing in the training and professional skills of our staff to ensure that the advice given to businesses in the Council area is as good as we can make it.
Under-Age SalesThe sale of many products is restricted by law to young people of a minimum age, for obvious safety and welfare reasons. For example, the current limits in respect of the following products are: Although businesses selling such products are regularly given advice and guidance, we also consider that a fair test of a trader's willingness to sell items to underage children is to make test purchases. Our programme of purchasing uses volunteers from the community whose appearance is carefully judged to be well below the relevant age limit. The whole operation is conducted under the terms of a strict Home Office code which ensures the safety and welfare of the young volunteer as well as making it a fair test of the trader's activities. In view of the importance the Council attaches to the protection of young people, an unchallenged sale of one of these products to our volunteer is viewed very seriously and may well result in legal action. Trading Standards believes strongly that a free 'Proof-of-Age' Card scheme would be of great benefit to both young people and businesses in Milton Keynes. We are pressing for a scheme to be developed in the area.
Weights And MeasuresThe Weights and Measures legislation is one of the oldest pieces of law in this country, dating back as far as the Magna Carta, and was the foundation of the forerunners of Trading Standards services in the UK. The modern Weights and Measures Act deals with: Most weights and measures work done by Trading Standards is carried out during routine inspections, although we occasionally get complaints from the public alleging short measure. The sensitive subject of metrication also comes within the scope of this section. Changes to the law meant that from January 1st 2000 it became unlawful to sell loose goods in the old, imperial system of pounds and ounces. The Council recognises that there is some confusion about whether this change was implemented correctly by Parliament, and also understands that it is a difficult area for the public, many of whom do not see a need for this particular extension of metrication. At present the Council's policy is to enforce the metrication requirements in a business-friendly way through advice to traders, until the doubts around the issue are cleared up. Eventually however, it is our responsibility to make sure that all traders comply with the law.
Animal Health And WelfareTrading Standards have an enforcement role in laws which are designed to prevent, control and eradicate animal disease on farms and ensure the welfare of animals in transit. We would play a full part in the emergency arrangements if diseases like rabies or anthrax were to break out in the area. Our main activities involve policing the movement of animals on and off farm premises, and responding to incidents involving animal deaths. Our staff also monitor the conditions under which animals are transported, to ensure that they are up to modern, acceptable welfare standards. Please click on the following link for further information on Animal Health issues.
Want To Know More?We have a range of leaflets and other material available covering many aspects of the legislation we enforce. These are available to MK residents, businesses and shoppers on request by contacting us directly. Alternatively, go to our factsheets for consumers or traders, or self-help advice sheets for consumers or self-help advice sheets for businesses.
Milton Keynes Council,
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