News

Reducing the regulatory burden on business is a priority for the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

That is why it has set up a new project between businesses and regulatory services at Cornwall Council called Better Business for All.

It aims to take a business-led approach to improving regulation and show how working with regulators can save businesses time and money, improve competitiveness and help them grow.

It will also encourage more businesses in Cornwall to seek advice from regulators without fear of enforcement activity.

Regulation takes many forms. It includes trading standards, environmental health, animal health, licensing, planning and fire and community safety.

Better Business for All will make it quicker and easier for businesses to comply with the law and will ensure that regulatory staff better understand how businesses operate and the pressures they face.

To help develop the programme, businesses across Cornwall are now being urged to share their experiences of regulation through a short questionnaire on the LEP’s business advice portal, www.business-pulse.co.uk.

The results will help inform a range of activity to make it easier for businesses to access guidance and advice from Cornwall’s regulatory services.

Plans include easier access to information, single points of contact, training for regulatory staff and lobbying Government on behalf of the business community to change legislation.

LEP Board Director Simon Tregoning said: “Effective regulation is vital to keep the public safe but we want to make sure it doesn’t become a barrier to growth. Better Business for All is about business-led improvements to create a regulatory environment that promotes business success and provides public protection.

“But we need businesses to tell us what they really think, warts and all. Their views will be vital in helping us to improve how regulatory services are delivered in Cornwall.”

Mark Luxton, Assistant Head of Public Health & Protection at Cornwall Council said: “Businesses are sometimes afraid of seeking our advice so we want to spread the word that contacting us for help can save you time and money and help you comply with the law. Talk to us first – we are here to help.

“Cornwall Council’s regulatory services want to serve Cornwall’s businesses better and we welcome feedback from businesses on how we can improve. We hope as many businesses as possible will take a few minutes to fill out the short survey.”

Brett Holmes, owner of Truro bar and brasserie the One Eyed Cat said: “Business owners are under a huge amount of pressure already and dealing with compliance issues that they do not fully appreciate or understand becomes an additional burden. It is therefore great to see the LEP committed to tackling this issue and I would urge people who, like me, are running businesses in Cornwall to give their views and help make a difference.”

Better Business for All is being managed by a steering group which includes small and large regulated businesses in Cornwall, the Federation of Small Businesses, Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, the LEP and representatives from a cross-section of regulatory services at Cornwall Council (including Environmental Health, Licensing, Trading Standards, Fire and Planning).

Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP has been selected as one of just 11 early adopters of Better Business for All in the UK, a national initiative endorsed by the Better Regulation Delivery Office, part of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

To take part in the short survey and help shape the future of regulation in Cornwall please visit http://www.business-pulse.co.uk/advice/better-business-for-all.