Publications
Promoting a simple and clear regulatory environment
We produce a variety of publications, including information relating to the regulatory environment, background on BRDO and its activities, and research commissioned from independent organizations. In addition to the documents listed below, our web pages contain many help sheets, practice examples, presentations, papers and leaflets giving details on individual projects.
URN: 13/591 Publication date: 20/02/2013 Pages: 5
Produced by ICF GHK, this is the executive summary of the findings of research to assess the experiences of UK businesses with regulatory-type burdens imposed by organisations that are not currently covered by the Regulators' Compliance Code. (The full report is available on request.)
URN: 13/537 Publication date: 22/01/2013 Pages: 31
This Code has been developed in collaboration with business and regulators in support of the Age Restricted Products and Services Framework, and represents a non-statutory approach to improving regulation in this area, having regard to relevant practice and guidance. It is applicable to all local regulatory activities undertaken in England and Wales. It covers all products and services for which statutory age restrictions are in place, and all relevant compliance and enforcement activities, whether in relation to premises or online supply.
URN: 12/1234 Publication date: 22/10/2012 Pages: 91
This report presents the findings of a research study into the experiences of diverse businesses with local regulation and its enforcement, including a more in-depth examination into the experiences of two diverse businesses that import food and drink.
URN: 12/P128 Publication date: 18/07/2012 Pages: 60
Highlights in LBRO's final year of operation include the development of new Primary Authority training courses, the publication of a framework for the supply of age restricted products and services, the introduction of priority regulatory outcomes for England - updating the national enforcement priorities - and the launch of the common approach to competency for regulators.
URN: 12/P129 Publication date: 18/07/2012 Pages: 60
Welsh language version. Highlights in LBRO's final year of operation include the development of new Primary Authority training courses, the publication of a framework for the supply of age restricted products and services, the introduction of priority regulatory outcomes for England - updating the national enforcement priorities - and the launch of the common approach to competency for regulators.
URN: 12/P145 Publication date: 29/06/2012 Pages: 68
This representative survey of businesses in England and Wales was conducted on behalf of BRDO, BIS and the National Audit Office by IFF Research.
URN: 12/P146 Publication date: 29/06/2012 Pages: 58
Technical report on the methodology of the Business Perceptions Survey 2012
URN: 12/817 Publication date: 28/06/2012 Pages: 22
The holy grail of regulatory reform is to intervene in ways which produce benefit for business and communities, whilst also reducing the cost of regulatory enforcement to the public purse. The Local Better Regulation Office helped to achieve precisely this kind of win-win-win situation. It established Primary Authority as a success for business and for local authority regulators, and by enabling local regulators to maximise the impact of their interventions and target their own resources on rogues, it produced a win for consumers too. This document is part of LBRO's legacy to record its work and success.
URN: 12/687 Publication date: 01/04/2012 / Updated 24/04/2013 Pages: 8
Common regulatory competence standards - underpinned by a robust development process and comprehensive learning materials - are currently being introduced. The work is being led by BRDO in partnership with the World Class Coalition, in 2008 to simplify the complex regulatory system. An overview of the progress to date is provided in this leaflet.
URN: 12/686 Publication date: 01/04/2012 Pages: 14
This gives instructions on the Regulators' Development Needs Analysis self-assessment tool, an interactive website that provides a robust process enabling a regulator to identify and prioritise his or her development needs.
BRDO carries forward the independent and technical expertise of the Local Better Regulation Office (LBRO). Publications produced by LBRO are listed below:
URN: 12/688 Publication date: 31/03/2012 Pages: 20
This discussion paper highlights the key role that regulators have to play in supporting the Government's priority for growth. It explores three ways in which effective regulatory delivery can support UK economic growth: by reducing costs for business, improving confidence and control, and by realising wider economic benefits. The paper is targeted both at those involved in policy and front line practitioners.
URN: 11/1465 Publication date: 30/11/2011 Pages: 14
This document sets out an agreed set of shared responsibilities and reasonable expectations for young people, parents, businesses, employees and regulators with regard to the supply of age restricted products and services. These principles have been developed following extensive consultation and are endorsed by a range of organisations. They also form the agreed foundation for the development of a code of practice on test purchasing for regulators and enforcers for consultation in early 2012.
URN: 11/1466 Publication date: 28/11/2011 Pages: 54
This comprehensive evaluation of Primary Authority from April 2009 to November 2010 was commissioned from RAND Europe.
URN: 11/1467 Publication date: 28/11/2011 Pages: 154
Technical appendices to Evaluating the Primary Authority Scheme
URN: 11/1468 Publication date: 28/11/2011 Pages: 15
This gives essential information on Primary Authority from April 2009 to September 2011.
URN: 11/1469 Publication date: 31/10/11 Pages: 33
Following a formal consultation process, the national enforcement priorities for England were updated in November 2011. Broader priority regulatory outcomes, reflecting issues of concern to citizens and businesses, now provide a focus for local regulatory activity and collaborative working with partner organisations. They were developed with the help of an expert user group of local authorities and professional and representative bodies, and a policy group comprising central government departments and national regulators.
URN: 11/1471 Publication date: 30/09/11 Pages: 28
Produced on behalf of the Welsh Regulators' Forum, this examines ways to reduce the administrative burden of data reporting in local authorities, foster effective data sharing across the regulatory system, and make better use of data collections in order to evidence the contribution to the national enforcement priorities for Wales.
URN: 11/1472 Publication date: 30/09/11 Pages: 14
Annex to Data Collections Report Wales
URN: 11/1473 Publication date: 12/09/2011 Pages: 47
Produced by the Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research, this examines the existing evidence on the concepts of citizen involvement, co-production and co-regulation with a view to understanding the extent to which the citizen can be brought into the process of regulation, especially at local level, and how such participation can be achieved.
URN: 11/1474 Publication date: 05/07/2011 Pages: 32
This was prepared by business representatives in response to a request from LBRO for an independent and evidence based review of the regulation and enforcement of ‘use by’ date labelling.
URN: 11/1475 Publication date: 05/07/2011 Pages: 65
This was commissioned from IFF Research to build a stronger understanding of the issues surrounding 'use by' date labelling regulations.
URN: 11/1476 Publication date: 23/02/2011 Pages: 9
This guide outlines approaches to facilitating sessions using the toolkit. It is neither prescriptive nor comprehensive.
URN: 10/1396 Publication date: 19/10/2010 Pages: 34
This document brings together current business perspectives on local regulation. It explores the ways in which a better understanding of the needs of business could improve outcomes and efficiency both for the regulators and those who are regulated, as well as consumers and communities. It provides a resource for policy makers when considering the future shape of local regulation and enforcement.
URN: 10/1397 Publication date: 08/10/2010 Pages: 22
This was prepared by business representatives in response to a call from LBRO for an independent and evidence-based review of the regulation and enforcement of age-restricted products.
URN: 10/1398 Publication date: 08/10/2010 Pages: 52
Annex to Better Regulation of Age-Restricted Products
URN: 10/1399 Publication date: 04/10/2010 Pages: 8
This outlines our work with the World Class Coalition of professional and representative bodies - including national regulators - to enhance the regulatory system.
URN: 10/1400 Publication date: 27/09/2010 Pages: 22
This was commissioned from Beaufort Research to build a stronger understanding of the issues faced by consumers in Wales regarding local regulation.
URN: 10/1401 Publication date: 15/07/2010 Pages: 92
This representative survey of businesses in England and Wales was conducted on behalf of LBRO and the National Audit Office by FDS International.
URN: 10/1402 Publication date: 28/07/2010 Pages: 25
LBRO worked with the Welsh Government and key partners to prepare this first set of four national enforcement priorities for Welsh local authorities. They reflect the fundamental principles of One Wales - accountable, citizen-centred public services.
URN: 10/1403 Publication date: 28/07/2011 Pages: 14
Annex to National Enforcement Priorities for Wales
URN: 10/1404 Publication date: 28/07/2011 Pages: 25
Welsh language version. LBRO worked with the Welsh Government and key partners to prepare this first set of four national enforcement priorities for Welsh local authorities. They reflect the fundamental principles of One Wales - accountable, citizen-centred public services.
URN: 10/1405 Publication date: 23/06/2010 Pages: 8
Primary Authority gives companies the right to form a statutory partnership with a single local authority, which then provides robust and reliable advice for other councils to take into account when carrying out inspections or dealing with non-compliance. It is the gateway to simpler, more successful local regulation.
URN: 10/1406 Publication date: 18/05/2010 Pages: 20
This is a concise version of LBRO’s step by step guide to the development of meaningful indicators to assess the outcomes and impacts of the operations of regulatory services, drawing on visual representations called pathways. The 13 key tools it lists are closely linked, and should be applied in sequence to gain their full value, as the elements of a comprehensive evaluation framework.
URN: 10/1407 Publication date: 24/03/2010 Pages: 60
Produced by the Centre for Decision Analysis and Risk Management at Middlesex University, this draws on the experiences of the geographic clusters of local authorities that tested risk-based, collaborative approaches to the inspection of businesses during the retail enforcement pilot, highlighting the challenges, successes and lessons learned.
URN: 10/1408 Publication date: 15/02/2010 Pages: 16
Consensus about the core aspects of effective regulatory services is provided by the Excellence Framework developed with LGR and local authorities. Its value derives from the fact that it is the product of agreement, both nationally and locally. Rigorous, thorough and practical, it covers service delivery in its entirety, reflects the views and experiences of practitioners, and is based on recognized standards.
URN: 09/1654 Publication date: 15/12/2009 Pages: 59
In 2008 we published the first comprehensive map of the UK local regulatory landscape, showing for the first time the scale of its complexity. It comprises 433 councils, 58 fire and rescue authorities, 152 port health authorities, 11 national regulators and 12 central government departments, their equivalents in some cases in the devolved nations, and various other representative bodies. This system needs to be simplified so that it can function more effectively. Our second map reflected comments received and brought key facts and figures up to date.
URN: 09/1655 Publication date: 07/12/2009 Pages: 35
On behalf of the world class coalition, LBRO commissioned the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy to identify data collections from local authority regulatory services and produce an initial estimate of the cost. This report begins to establish the scale of the issue and the task of building an evidence base.
URN: 09/1656 Publication date: 04/12/2009 Pages: 11
Local regulation tackles problems that extend well beyond council boundaries, for example animal diseases, mobile scams and illegal imports. The national threats project undertaken by LBRO assessed the restrictions on targeting resources on such areas, even when clearly in the economic interests of businesses and consumers. An overview of the research findings is presented in this report, with supporting comment.
URN: 09/1657 Publication date: 04/12/2009 Pages: 8
Produced by the Matrix Knowledge Group, this summarises the research findings of the national threats project.
URN: 09/1658 Publication date: 04/12/2009 Pages: 47
Produced by the Matrix Knowledge Group, this provides a comprehensive list of threats relevant to the national threats project.
URN: 09/1659 Publication date: 04/12/2009 Pages: 25
Produced by the Matrix Knowledge Group, this describes the methods used to conduct the national threats project.
URN: 09/1660 Publication date: 17/11/2009 Pages: 8
Officers now have the opportunity to step into their customers' commercial shoes via Trading Places. Study visits arranged at UK companies of all sizes offer great practical learning experiences, plus valuable insight into how businesses are run and the challenges they can face.
URN: 09/1661 Publication date: 09/11/2009 Pages: 64
The critical importance of effective regulation to both economic prosperity and community protection has never been clearer. This collection of essays was commissioned by LBRO to prompt discussion and debate about this important policy issue, drawing on the personal and professional perspectives of both those who regulate and those who are regulated.
URN: 09/1662 Publication date: 22/10/2009 Pages: 49
Produced by the Centre for Regional Economic Development at the University of Cumbria, this reviews and assesses the methodology of the retail enforcement pilot in a business environment. It includes case studies that highlight the experiences of six companies varying in size, sector and geographical location.
URN: 09/1663 Publication date: 21/10/2009 Pages: 72
This is a step by step guide to how local authority regulatory services can select and develop meaningful indicators to assess the impacts and outcomes of their operations, and gather and display the resulting information.
URN: 09/1664 Publication date: 21/10/2009 Pages: 172
This assists in the evaluation of local authority regulatory services and addresses a perceived lack of knowledge among policy makers of the added value they provide.
URN: 09/1665 Publication date: 01/09/2009 Pages: 16
This summary of our second corporate plan describes our achievements over the last 12 months and our planned activity for the next three years, focusing on delivery programmes, engagement and ideas about better local regulation.
URN: 09/1666 Publication date: 01/09/2009 Pages: 31
This explains what we do and hope to achieve.
URN: 09/1667 Publication date: 17/07/2009 Pages: 116
Successful initiatives to reduce underage sales of alcohol and prevent it getting into the hands of the under 18s are detailed in this study. LBRO urges others to adopt the best practice undertaken by local authorities and police forces across the UK.
URN: 09/1668 Publication date: 30/06/2009 Pages: 28
Getting full value from regulatory services by maximising their contribution to local economic prosperity is the central theme of this advice and guidance. It advocates greater innovation and collaboration, and is intended for local authority leaders, elected members, chief executives and service directors in England and Wales. It proposes practical ways in which councils can harness the potential of their regulatory services.
URN: 09/1669 Publication date: 05/05/2009 Pages: 26
The individual approaches of seven councils to meeting both local and national priorities were assessed in research work undertaken by the Institute of Local Government Studies at the University of Birmingham during 2008-09. This highlighted key findings and some examples of good practice.
URN: 09/1670 Publication date: 06/04/2009 Pages: 32
This is our statutory guidance to local authorities shaping the operation of the scheme.
URN: 08/1561 Publication date: 20/11/2008 Pages: 40
This survey commissioned from Ipsos MORI explores consumers' views about local regulation.
URN: 08/1562 Publication date: 21/10/2008 Pages: 71
This report shows the range of legislation that local authority regulators are responsible for enforcing.
URN: 08/1563 Publication date: 01/10/2008 Pages: 72
This representative survey of businesses in England and Wales commissioned from Ipsos MORI explores their views about local regulation - the burdens, benefits and challenges.
URN: 08/1564 Publication date: 30/05/2008 Pages: 20
This is a guide to what local authority regulatory services need to do to comply with the Code, which came into force in April 2008.
