Accolade for joint Trading Standards team

Business and Economy, Democracy and Local Affairs
Trading Standards trophies: Cabinet Member Martin Phillips celebrates success with Steve Ruddy, Head of Trading Standards, Assistant Head Mandy Poole, and some of the team

The joint Trading Standards team from Buckinghamshire and Surrey have won two silver awards for efficiency.

In the national Improvement and Efficiency Social Enterprise 2016 awards,the team picked up the two awards for the work they did in merging Buckinghamshire’s and Surrey’s Trading Standards operation a year ago, harnessing their collective expertise to give consumers stronger safeguards and businesses a better service.

Judges said the joint service’ssuccess in the Remodelling Local Services category had demonstrated a relentless drive to redesign service delivery to meet the needs of residents and businesses.

They also praised the team – in the Working Together category – for their dedication and commitment to workingas partnersin trying something new to make a meaningful difference to residents and businesses.

Martin Phillips, Buckinghamshire County Council Cabinet Member for Community Engagement and Public Health, said: ‘These awards are great news for a superb team of professionals. They describe just what it says on the tin – a stronger Trading Standards service, working well together, providing greater protection to ourresidents, and giving taxpayers a better bang for their buck.’

Richard Walsh, Surrey County Council Cabinet Member for Localities and Community Wellbeing, said: ‘These awards are a testament to the hard work of trading standards staff across both counties in creating a strong and successful joint service. Teaming up with Buckinghamshire means we are able to give our communities even greater protection while ensuring taxpayers’ money goes further.’