Better Regulation Executive
In 2005, Philip Hampton published his report Reducing administrative burdens effective inspection and enforcement. It highlighted the importance of proportionate and risk–based approaches to enforcing regulations, and the associated benefits in delivering better outcomes on the ground. Hampton found that while there is much good practice in UK regulation, there were several areas for improvement, including a lack of effective priority setting by central government, lack of national co–ordination between Government departments and local regulators and lack of consistency in risk assessment and enforcement between local authorities.
In the Pre–Budget Report of December 2005, the Chancellor announced the creation of a local better regulation office (LBRO). LBRO will implement key Hampton recommendations that embed comprehensive risk assessment at the core of local authority regulatory activities, resulting in better targeting of resources on the areas that need them most and deliver more consistency for business. This is about looking afresh at how to support local authorities in raising business compliance.
With a remit initially covering local authority trading standards and environmental health services, including alcohol licensing, LBRO's objective will be to secure more effective and less burdensome approaches to the way in which regulations are enforced by local authorities. It will focus on:
LBRO is being established as a company limited by guarantee before being converted to a statutory corporation. It formally became a company on 4 May 2007. As a company, LBRO will not have any statutory powers. However, setting up LBRO in this way now means that the momentum generated by the Hampton Review can be maintained, and in partnership with local authorities, make a real and immediate difference to the delivery of local authority regulatory servives. LBRO will also have a programme budget to support trading standards and environmental health services in driving forward best regulatory practice and innovative approaches.
LBRO appointed its first chair in April, Clive Grace who will head an independent Board. We have also announced the appointments to the Board and Chief Executive, effective from September 2007. With relevant business, local authority and national regulation skills, background and competence, the Board members will have the expertise and influence to change the behaviour of local authority regulatory services. Background details of these appointments are contained in the following press releases.
The intention is that the draft Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Bill, subject to Parliamentary passage, will convert LBRO into a statutory Non–Departmental Public Body and give it powers to drive forward improved targeting and consistency in 2009. Further details are contained at the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Bill page.
Contacts: Hugh McNeal, 020 7276 1487, hugh.mcneal@berr.gsi.gov.uk
Julie Braithwaite, 020 7276 2301, julie.braithwaite@berr.gsi.gov.uk
Nick O'Donnell, 020 7276 2135, nick.o’donnell@berr.gsi.gov.uk