Our approach to the review
The Government has asked Peter Rogers to examine around 65 areas of
legislation that local authorities' regulatory services currently
enforce. By Budget 2007 he will recommend 5 national priorities for local
authority enforcers.
The review will produce a joined-up analysis across different policy areas
of what consumers and businesses think, the impact of regulation and the
risk it aims to protect against and political priorities.
We will work with departments and other key stakeholders to draw on their
knowledge about risks, impact of regulation and consumer and business
views. We also expect to commission new research into consumer and business
perceptions.
Phases of the Review
There will be two phases to the review; initial sifting of the large number
of policy areas down to 20-25 areas, and a detailed analysis on the
remaining areas.
The initial list of 65 policy areas will be reduced to 20-25 by using
qualitative and quantitative data on the following four criteria:
-
Risk and impact posed by the policy area under consideration,
-
Whether enforcement of the policy area contributes to national political
priorities,
-
Whether the area is a priority area for enforcement for the public and
business, and
-
The legal status of the policy area.
This initial sift will be tested with an end user group of representatives
of local authorities and the professional bodies representing local
authority enforcement.
The more detailed analysis on the remaining 20-25 policy areas will be
based upon the same criteria but will involve more detailed consultation
with all the interested parties to produce 5 national priorities.
Evidence and perception
We look forward to working with national regulators and government
departments to produce an evidence base on the four criteria for selection.
Market research will be commissioned to gauge both public and business
perception on where they feel consumers need protecting, and where business
feel that inputs from regulatory services could best improve their
compliance.
We are currently in the process of engaging with stakeholders, including
consumers, local authorities, businesses, government departments and
regulators.
