Annual Report 2008-2009

Trading Standards and Consumer Services

Scope of Trading Standards Service

• Trading Standards
• Consumer Advice
• Weights and Measures
• Under Age Sales
• Doorstep Crime
• Community Safety Issues
• Food Composition and Labelling
• Product Safety
• Intellectual Property Matters
• Pricing Matters

Main Achievements 2007/08

• 90.4% of business satisfaction of the service
• 85.8% Consumer satisfaction of the service
• Positive contribution to the councils 4* improving strongly status
• 18 traders prosecuted and 4 traders were cautioned for Trading Standards offences
• Over 500 joint visits with other enforcement agencies
• Over 10,000 Rogue Trader warning leaflets distributed
• Over 100 food samples submitted for analysis
• Over 2,000 Business Premises inspected
• Carried out 103 under age sales test purchases of age restricted products
• First authority to have successful integration of Consumer Direct, a national telephone advice service for first line consumer advice with Trading Standards
• Carried out a detailed report on the safety of mini-motorbikes with HSL and BERR
• Produced the home safety calendar with the schools. 

Other Key Issues

• Maintained the European Notified Body Status for the weights and measures laboratory
• Maintained the CLS (Community Legal Services) Quality Mark for advice services
• Retained lead partner status in the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership to tackle doorstep sales, rogue traders and bogus officials
• Retained lead partner status in the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership to tackle the sales of alcohol to under age persons

Key Priorities for 2008/09

• Internet fraud and Internet sales area a growing problem with an ever increasing number of consumer purchases over the internet. We aim to introduce innovative new means of policing such sales
• Introduction of a Buy With Confidence scheme for home improvement traders
• Take action against Rogue Traders
• Combat the increasing problem of Scams
• Identify the most complained about traders on a quarterly basis and take steps to address
• To reduce the top three areas of complaint.
• Continue with the Community Diary circulation and assessment
• Introduction of Hot line to report Loan Sharks

Contact Information
Send us a Message	Trading Standards and Consumer Services Tameside MBC Council Offices Wellington Road Ashton under Lyne Lancs OL6 6DL View local map
0161 342 8355
0161 342 2288