1. Developing a World Class Local Authority Regulatory Services System
Local Authority Reference Panel
28th April 2009

2. Welcome and introduction

3. To re-cap the approach:
Coalition of national regulators, professional bodies and other stakeholders
Local authority reference panel
Common standard of excellence
‘Modules’ to address inter-dependencies:
Risk assessment
Priorities
Data sharing
Competency
Impact assessment

4. Wider context:
Economic downturn
Primary Authority live from 6 April
Consumer White Paper
Trading places

5. Aims of the day:
Practitioner input and views on the data sharing and impact/outcome modules
Communicate LBRO’s activities
Discussion and debate

6. Workshop: Data Sharing

7. Workshop: Data Sharing
Overview:
‘Map’ of data collections with a view to reducing the burden on local authorities
Metrics to assist managers in performance management
Undertaken by CIPFA – uniquely placed

8. Workshop: Data Sharing
Key questions for groups:
Are the metrics useful and fit for purpose in terms of helping performance?
What is missing from the metrics?
CIPFA:
Salina Bates – Policy Research Manager
Arpad Morotz – Research Analyst

9. Workshop: Impact and outcomes

10. Firstly the impact and outcomes of LARS activity project has a direct strategic fit with LBROs activity
Objective 3: Improve the System
A subset of the World Class Programme
The project assists to resolve one the key (so called) mischief items outlined in the LBRO Draft Strategy and Corporate plan: a lack of outcome focus by regulatory services.

11. Secondly it responds to a changing policy environment

12. Identify potential outcomes and impacts of LARS
RAND Europe have been commissioned to undertake a study into the impact and outcomes of LARS activity
Identify potential outcomes and impacts of LARS
Link activities of LARS to outcomes
Identify potential indicators and data sources and,
Provide a conceptual framework – the ‘dashboard’ for use by LARS
RAND Europe
Tom Ling – Director, Evaluation and Audit
Christian Van Stolk – Senior Analyst
Jan Tiessen – Analyst

13. Outcomes and impact of LARS activity
Current practice                       
Group work with three groups
You are asked to think about the following:
Report back to plenary session
How are you currently analysing and considering the outcomes and impacts of your activity? Please summarise it as strengths and weaknesses

14. Outcomes and impact of LARS activity
The draft toolkit                         
Discussion of the toolkit -  Suitability, feasibility and acceptability of the toolkit:
Is this toolkit fit for purpose?
Would you and your service be able to use the toolkit?
Would you have the capacity and resources to apply it?
Would you, your service and your stakeholder find this toolkit acceptable?

15. Discussion: Supporting Businesses in the Recession and Beyond

16. Supporting businesses in recession and beyond
Relationship between business and local regulatory services
56% of SMEs face to face contact with a LARS officer
45% of businesses more profitable
Source of advice, guidance and expertise
Insight into business environment for local authority and partners

17. Impact of Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS) on areas of business management.
70% of business stated that FSMS had increased the effectiveness of the business.
45% stated that their business is more profitable because it operates a FSMS.
Source: (2008) Food Safety Management Evaluation Research COI/FSA

18. Supporting businesses in recession and beyond
Signposting support
Local authority led
Regional/ national support
Engaging to understand business needs
New local economic assessment duty
Perceptions and ‘on the ground’ intelligence
Closer working with economic development

19. Supporting businesses in recession and beyond
Effective targeting
Information gathered
Risk based approach
Level playing field
Local priorities
Focus on fair trading?
Role of accreditation schemes to support business

20. Supporting businesses in recession and beyond
Discussion points:
What are the key issues facing businesses in your area? Does the advice and guidance reflect these?
How are consumers and communities being affected?
What sort of responses are being made by LARS?

21. Next steps
Coalition meeting 13 May
Peer Challenge project
Ongoing work on risk and competency
Circulation of draft excellence standard
Dissemination of impact/outcomes toolkit
Priorities in Wales
Thank you for your views