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About Our Service
This page includes information on:
About UsThe Trading Standards & Licensing Service is an important regulatory function of local government. We carry out a wide range of duties with the aim of protecting consumers. This protection is provided in relation to virtually the full range of personal and household expenditure, from the purchase of daily necessities to the arrangement of a mortgage. Our work also aims to bring about a fair trading environment in which reputable and responsible business activity, essential to the success of the local economy, can succeed. Our duties and responsibilities require the investigation into areas of clear criminal activity such as consumer fraud, counterfeiting, intentional and reckless infringement and malpractice operating to the detriment of consumers and reputable traders. The impact of our work on local communities is considerable. Some of the more obvious benefits are: · protecting consumers from the supply of substandard, falsely described and unsafe products; · protecting consumers from false or misleading information about prices and credit; · protecting honest businesses from unfair competition; · protecting both consumers and businesses from a variety of marketing malpractices; and · informing and empowering consumers by providing advice and information on legal rights and remedies. PrioritiesWe aim to promote a fair and safe trading environment to protect consumers and allow reputable businesses to thrive. We aim to do this by providing a Trading Standards & Licensing Service that is responsive to the needs of the community, uses flexible and proportionate working practices and is committed to a drive for quality, review and continuous improvement. We will strive to achieve these key aims through a number of service objectives. Informed Confident Consumers
Informed Confident Businesses
A Fair and Safe Trading Environment
Consultation and what you told usResidents of Stockton were consulted in 2002 via 'Viewpoint' (Stockton's Resident Panel) to assess stakeholders needs and views of the Service.
In response to the question;
Please rank the following Trading Standards issues in order of importance.
The following results were obtained:
In response to the question:
Please rank the following duties in order of importance
They answered:
For further details of the consultation results please see our service delivery plan available from the Performance Section below.
Have Your SayPlease tell us your views on our services. Complete our confidential response form
PerformanceEach year we set key activities and performance targets
for the year ahead which address the needs and priorities of the users of
the service. These priorities are identified through various methods
including consultation surveys, analysis of request for service and
results of proactive enforcement work. We monitor our performance on
a monthly basis and produce half yearly performance reports. To view
the performance reports select the appropriate
Our annual performance targets are outlined in our
Service Delivery Plan. To view the plan select the appropriate
EnforcementWe have adopted the Government's Concordat on Good
Enforcement, which commits us to following fair, effective and consistent
policies and procedures. A copy of the Concordat is available by
selecting the appropriate
On occasions we have to deal with matters that may constitute a criminal offence, for which a range of actions may be taken against an individual, partnership or company. These matters will be investigated thoroughly to establish all the facts and where appropriate Officers will use their legal powers to enter premises, take samples, inspect and copy records, or seize goods and documents. On all occasions we will comply with the Human Rights Act and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act. At the end of our investigation a decision will be made
whether to deal with the matter informally, or whether to follow a more
formal course of action that may ultimately lead to prosecution. How
we reach that decision is explained in our Enforcement Policy for
Regulatory Services. To view our Enforcement Policy please select
the appropriate
Calibration ServicesWe jointly fund the Tees
Valley Measurement Metrology Laboratory with the other Teesside
Authorities. The Centre provides a range of services to
businesses. For further information visit the Tees Valley Measurement
website by selecting the
What We CostThe Trading Standards and Licensing Service operates on a gross budget of £869,600, generating an income from licence fees, court costs and sundry items of £279,000, leaving a net cost of £590,600. This means that the service costs each citizen of Stockton on Tees less than one pence per day .
Satisfied with our Service?We regularly survey our clients satisfaction with the service.
We have a Customer Charter that
outlines our service standards. Please select the
Our most recent survey revealed that:
These results echo previous surveys which had satisfaction levels of 87% and 100%. We try to provide the best possible service at all times. It is so important that customers who use our services tell us how we are doing. They may be compliments, (for instance if you have found a particular service or member of staff helpful), ideas about how we could do things better or you may have a complaint. You can let us know your views by selecting the button below
Whatever your views are we welcome them and will use them to improve our services to communities.
Neighbouring Trading Standards Services
Contacting UsYou can contact us by selecting the button below:
alternatively you can contact us in a number of other ways; by Post, Telephone, Fax or E-mail.
You can also visit Trading Standards at
and you can visit Licensing at
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Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, Trading Standards & Licensing Service, PO Box 232, 16 Church Road, Stockton on Tees. TS18 1XD. Telephone: 01642 526560 Fax: 01642 526584 Electronic Mail: Trading Standards or Licensing Administration
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button
below.
Stockton-on-Tees
Borough Council Trading Standards & Licensing Service