Government consults on revised guidance for Primary Authority scheme

The Better Regulation Delivery Office has launched a consultation on revised statutory guidance for the Primary Authority scheme.

The current guidance has not been changed since Primary Authority – which allows businesses to form a statutory partnership with a single local authority – was launched in 2009.

There are now 103 local authorities and 759 businesses that participate in the scheme, covering more than 63,000 premises.

The proposed revisions would reflect Primary Authority's evolution over the last four years as well as:

• changes effected by the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013, which extends eligibility and strengthens inspection plans; and
• the Government’s commitment to include new regulations in the scope of Primary Authority (age-restricted sales of gambling, sunbed tanning, the Housing Health & Safety Rating System and Welsh regulations on single use carrier bag charging).

The consultation seeks views on whether the revised guidance is sufficiently clear on issues surrounding eligibility (including shared approach to compliance).

It also asks whether the revised guidance is sufficiently clear on inspection plans, including the types of interventions to which inspection plans are applicable and the duties of primary authorities and enforcing authorities in relation to inspection plans.

A final version of the guidance will be published to coincide with the commencement of the extensions of eligibility and scope, and strengthening of inspection plans. These changes are expected to take effect on 1 October 2013.

The consultation, which lasts until 16 August, can be viewed here.