The Trading Standards service exists to:
- protect individuals, communities and businesses from harm and financial loss
- help businesses to thrive by maintaining a fair trading environment
- improve the health and wellbeing of people and communities
- fulfil our statutory responsibilities to deliver consumer and public protection services across Buckinghamshire and Surrey
Our context, challenges and opportunities:
Whist we aim to maintain normal operations as much as possible, Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) will cause changes for the service. During the year preparation will be a significant theme, and this will temporarily affect what can be delivered. Communication and information sharing with all relevant parties will enable us to shape the future where we can, keeping the service focused on our core objectives and the needs of our residents and businesses.
New legislation and the implementation of recent legislation is expected during the year, including some provisions of the Renters Rights Act 2025 and the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. A new Food Standards Agency code of practice for delivery of food controls, which increases expectations on Local Authorities, is also likely to increase pressure on the Service during the year. Alongside this there are potential changes within the justice system that may affect the Service, including removing the use of juries for some trials.
The environment we work in is changing with increasing high street criminality by organised crime groups influencing the way we need to operate to be effective. We anticipate working with partners to tackle this criminality, especially following the success of Op Machinize last year, and our enhanced intelligence function will help us target this and other activity against the greatest threats to provide good outcomes for residents and communities.
Leaving no one behind is vital. We will continue to support an equal, diverse and inclusive society both within our teams and more widely, supporting communities and individuals.
Our key actions:
We will support the delivery of Buckinghamshire Council’s and Surrey County Council’s strategic aims.
1. Protecting the most vulnerable. Tackling fraudulent, illegal and unfair trading practices with a particular focus on activities to disrupt criminal activity.
2. Enabling businesses to get the help and support they need to thrive and grow. Delivering public protection through proactive and reactive advice/information, supporting businesses to improve regulatory compliance and ensure a level playing field.
3. Improving wellbeing and public health; tackling the supply of unsafe, dangerous or age restricted products and working to maintain the integrity of the food chain from farm to fork, including food quality, nutrition, and animal health.
4. Be a collaborative place to work, where our people feel valued, supported and appropriately trained with robust succession planning in place. Foster an inclusive environment, act with integrity and challenge prejudice.
5. Deliver the service transitions required by Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), contributing to planning and implementation across affected areas to ensure deliver of safe and legal services. Maintain service quality and regulatory services throughout all aspects of the transition.