WIREDGOV

A new relationship between business and regulators

News Release issued by the COI News Distribution Service on 01 October 2009

LBRO Conference, Thursday, 19 November

Working together to forge a new relationship between business and its local regulators is the focus of the LBRO Conference at the Hilton Metropole Hotel, London, on Thursday, 19 November.

The keynote address at the public body for better local regulation’s annual event will come from the Minister for Business and Regulatory Reform, Ian Lucas MP, who will tell delegates about the Government’s vision for better regulation policy.

Among the key speakers will be Karren Brady, Managing Director of Birmingham City Football Club. Ipsos MORI UK and Ireland Chief Executive, Ben Page, will chair a session on local regulation’s impact on quality of life.

The event will showcase progress over the previous year, reflecting major developments in the local better regulation / post-Hampton agenda. Delegates will also hear about the success of LBRO’s key initiatives such as Primary Authority, which establishes a single point of contact for local regulations for companies operating in multiple local authority areas; and the Trading Places scheme in which regulators are placed with businesses – literally experiencing the impact of their work at the ‘business end’.

Headlined ‘Working Together for Better Local Regulation’, the event is the essential conference for senior local authority representatives, national regulators, business leaders and consumer groups.

Chair of LBRO, Clive Grace, who will open the first conference session, said: “The value of simpler, more effective local regulation has never been so widely recognised and understood, and this greater awareness offers the opportunity for better working between regulators, business and consumers.

“The potential long term benefits of boosting economic prosperity and improving the quality of life for everyone are very significant. We want this conference to help forge a new relationship with business and consumers, and we would invite our partners to join us in seizing the opportunity it presents.”

The conference cover the contribution of better regulation to economic prosperity, sharing best practice, delivering quality of life and the next steps for better regulation. There will also be the latest update on how good practice is being shared among regulators through the Beacon theme ‘Cutting Red Tape.

Those wishing to attend should call 0207 324 4330 or register online at www.neilstewartassociates.com/sa257.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. Journalists are welcome to attend. For a free media delegate place please call 0207 324 4330 or register online at www.neilstewartassociates.com/sa257.

2. The Primary Authority scheme was designed by the Better Regulation Executive and approved by Parliament as part of the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008. Primary Authority came into law on 6 April 2009. Primary Authority partnerships are available to any business that trades across two or more council boundaries, regardless of size. Small businesses that sell from websites, for example, have the same access to consistent advice about trading standards and health and safety rules as big manufacturing or construction companies. The scheme will improve compliance to the benefit of business, consumers and communities.

3. The Local Better Regulation Office (LBRO) helps local authorities improve their environmental health, trading standards, fire safety and licensing services – reducing burdens on businesses that comply with the law while targeting those who flout it. It was incorporated as a government-owned limited company in May 2007. Following the commencement of the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008 on 1 October 2008, it now operates as an executive non-departmental public body, accountable to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills through the Better Regulation Executive. LBRO is governed by an independent Board, has a staff of around 25 and is based in central Birmingham. Our remit covers the whole of the UK and we liaise closely with the devolved administrations to ensure our work in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is appropriate. For further information please visit www.lbro.org.uk

Media enquiries to Jo Barker or Roland Curtis

Contacts:

Local Better Regulation Office
nds.lbro@coi.gsi.gov.uk

Jo Barker.
Phone: 0121 226 4019
Jo.barker@lbro.org.uk