Primary Authority A Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue perspective
Dec 22, 2015
Primary Authority
A Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue perspective
Lincolnshire
One of England’s largest CountiesPredominantly ruralSmall market towns
Lincoln CityEast coast strip
Many small businesses
Lincolnshire’s approach to compliance
Encouragement over enforcementEducate & Inform
Support small businessesLeave well managed businesses alone
Formal enforcement a last resortProsecute where in the public interest
Primary Authority – A New Strand
Means of rewarding those businesses who want to get it right
Reduce compliance costs and frustrationTackle inconsistency amongst regulators
British Frozen Food FederationThe UK’s frozen food trade association
Over 300 members comprising Producers, Wholesalers, Importers,
Exporters, Brokers, Retailers and related Associate businesses.
Membership ranging from large companies to SMEs
British Frozen Food Federation
Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue were approached by the BFFF
Discussions commencedWe liked them and they liked us
Opportunity identified that met with our goalsScheme agreed
Main considerations
A trade organisation is able to support smaller businesses less able to afford specialist advice
Lincolnshire based organisationWanted to work with us
Innovation
A business having premises in only one regulators area can now benefit from Primary
Authority advice and support
Lessons learntBenefits of partnering with a trade organisation are
two wayWorking with the BFFF health & safety committee
Overstocking at Christmas – we learnt that our campaign was too late
Businesses, despite being in competition are happy to work together
Sharing what they have learned & paid for with others in the interests of improved safety
culture
SummaryWe now have a new strand in our compliance
strategyWe now have a valuable new partner helping us
better understand business needs UK now has a scheme where Primary Authority is accessible to businesses working out of a single
countyTogether we reduce the burden on business
Thanks
BFFF for approaching us and their enthusiasm, commitment & ongoing support
BRDO for agreeing to the ‘co-ordinated partnership’ approach and their ongoing
supportJoanna Hancock & Crystal Holmes (BFFF)
Keiron Davey (LFR)