Reading Borough Council Wins National Award

Reading Borough Council’s Consumer Protection team has scooped a top national award, as well as saving council tax payers money.

The team has been awarded a Primary Authority Award from the Better Regulation Delivery Office (BRDO) in recognition for their Primary Authority Partnership (PAP) with the High Street pub chain JD Wetherspoon plc.

Under the PAP scheme the Council has now become the single point of contact on regulatory matters for companies including JD Weatherspoon, Greene King PLC, Primark and Reading based Funeral Directors AB Walker and Son. This means the companies use the expertise of Council staff on food safety, workplace safety and trading standards for their thousands of outlets nationwide. This cuts red tape and saves money for all those involved – this then has a positive knock on effect for council tax payers across the country.

PAPs simplify an approach which previously saw firms having to deal individually with every local authority where they had outlets. At times this would result in inconsistent advice and for large companies – particularly those with hundreds of outlets dotted around the country – it would mean going through the same process with individual councils in those areas.

The new agreements minimise unnecessary checks and tests for all local authorities across the region, saving local council tax payers money. Reading’s Consumer Protection Team will provide the companies with robust and reliable advice which other local authorities across the UK will then have to take into account when carrying out inspections.