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Service Reports
Trading Standards has long recognised the need for
a coherent and modern national performance framework,
without which it is difficult for any of the 200 plus
Trading Standards Services in the UK to meaningfully
compare and evaluate their performance and contribution
to community priorities.
The 1999 White Paper "Modern Markets: Confident
Consumers" set out the Government's commitment
to modernise Trading Standards Services and to develop
appropriate performance measures.
This White Paper was followed by the Audit Commission
report "Measure for Measure" which analysed
the Trading Standards Service as a whole and pointed
out areas where the 'service' needed improvement.
This included the need for better standardisation between
authorities to ensure a national minimum level of service
provided to businesses and consumers, better consistency
of formal enforcement activity and better co-operation
between authorities and other enforcement agencies.
This resulted, following consultation and pilots in
some authorities, in the National Performance Framework
(NPF) for the Trading Standards Service. The framework
came into effect on 1 April 2002 and the key elements
of the plan are:
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The
Trading Standards Service In The Community |
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Local
Structure And Resources |
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Assessing Community Expectations
And Feedback |
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National And Local
Priorities Review, Assessment And Improvement
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Our 2003/04 Framework Plan was assessed as one of only
29 authorities nationally that were above the upper
quartile for service planning and improving service.
After several years of reviewing the framework plans
of Trading Standards Authorities the DTI announced that
for 2005 - 2006 it was satisfied that service planning
was satisfactory to meet the above criteria. Authorities
would now only be required to submit an information
return providing background statistical information.
During this year a Government commisioned review of
Trading Standards Services entitled 'The Hampton Review'
was also published. Further consultation is underway
which will shape the way Trading Standards services
are shaped and delivered.
Service planning and performance
is also incorporated in the Neighbourhood Services Directorate
Plan 2005 - 08. This plan details key actions already
delivered and those to be delivered and how it links
to the Council's Master Action Plan called 'Performing
Together'.
Together these plans explain key improvement tasks,
Best Value principles, user focussed service priorities
and standards as well as performance against relevant
national and local targets.
View the plans
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