Parliament approves creation of Better Regulation Delivery Office as successor to LBRO

Parliament and the Welsh Assembly have passed legislation that will see the creation of the Better Regulation Delivery Office (BRDO) as a streamlined successor to the Local Better Regulation Office (LBRO).

The overhaul will be completed by 31 March 2012 and will see the BRDO become part of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

The LBRO, an executive non-departmental public body, is responsible for cutting red tape for UK business and providing targeted protection for consumers, workers and the environment.

It runs the Primary Authority scheme, which is to be expanded. The scheme allows a business operating across council boundaries to form a primary authority partnership with a single local authority in relation to regulatory compliance.

The BRDO will retain much of the LBRO’s staff and continue a number of its functions as well as maintain its network of expert panels and stakeholder groups.

LBRO Chairman Clive Grace said: “The smooth passage of the necessary order through both the Westminster and Welsh legislatures reflects the general consensus that this is the right course for continuing the vital work of LBRO.

“The Board welcomes BRDO’s clear delivery focus. Its work with businesses and regulators to simplify and improve the implementation of regulations will complement the Better Regulation Executive's focus on how Whitehall generates and designs regulation. The aim is to strengthen the overall package of regulatory reform by bringing these two elements together within government.”

See also: Moving centre stage – the expansion of Primary Authority