Decision details

To make three minor amendments to the existing list of fees and charges relating to the Public Protection Service.

The proposed decision relates to including new charges part way through the financial year for membership of the new Buy With Confidence scheme, reduction in charges for registered charities for food hygiene courses and some new pest control treatment charges.

The aim of Buy With Confidence is to support and promote businesses who demonstrate that they trade fairly and deal with complaints in a fair and equitable manner.  The scheme will be run by Trading Standards Officers within the Public Protection Service. When a business applies for membership, an initial audit of the premises is carried out during which relevant business documents, products and procedures are inspected and any previous complaints made to the trading standards service are checked. If the business is accepted as a member, they are re -audited on a regular basis to assess whether they remain suitable to be a member. 

Approved businesses can publicise their membership of the scheme and they are provided with a copy of the Buy With Confidence logo which can be used on business stationery, on their business website, in promotional and advertising literature and on vehicles.

The scheme will have an initial application fee and an annual membership fee as follows.

Initial application fee for all traders                     £100 (+ VAT)

Membership fee   1 – 5 employees                    £110 (+ VAT)

                             6 – 20 employees                  £165 (+ VAT)

                             More than 21 employees       £220 (+ VAT)

We currently charge businesses and other organisations for Food Hygiene training. It is proposed to offer a 50% reduction in charges to registered charities. This will reduce the fees as shown below.

Food Hygiene Level 2 £67 per person (£33.50 for registered charity)

Food Hygiene Level 2 £580 for 8 – 15 people (£290 for registered charity)

Food Hygiene Level 3 £85 per person (£42.50 for registered charity)

Food Hygiene Level 3 £677 for 8 – 15 people (£338.50 for registered charity)

It is also proposed to introduce the following new pest control charges:

Mink and rabbits £85 per hour

Bed bug treatments - 2 bedroom house £150

                                 - 3 bedroom house £200

                                 - Each additional bedroom £50

To introduce these minor amendments will deliver timely improvements to services which will support local businesses and charitable groups.

These new charges could be delayed until April 2012 and introduced as part of the budget setting process. However this would delay the introduction of these improvements to services, and be detrimental for local businesses and charitable groups.

Consultation has taken place with the South West Regional Trading Standards Partnership (SWERCOTS) to ensure consistency acrosscouncils in the south west of England with regard to theBuy With Confidence scheme.