Primary Authority

A Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue perspective

Lincolnshire

One of England’s largest CountiesPredominantly ruralSmall market towns

Lincoln CityEast coast strip

Many small businesses

Lincolnshire’s approach to compliance

Encouragement over enforcementEducate & Inform

Support small businessesLeave well managed businesses alone

Formal enforcement a last resortProsecute where in the public interest

Primary Authority – A New Strand

Means of rewarding those businesses who want to get it right

Reduce compliance costs and frustrationTackle inconsistency amongst regulators

British Frozen Food FederationThe UK’s frozen food trade association

Over 300 members comprising Producers, Wholesalers, Importers,

Exporters, Brokers, Retailers and related Associate businesses.

Membership ranging from large companies to SMEs

British Frozen Food Federation

Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue were approached by the BFFF

Discussions commencedWe liked them and they liked us

Opportunity identified that met with our goalsScheme agreed

Main considerations

A trade organisation is able to support smaller businesses less able to afford specialist advice

Lincolnshire based organisationWanted to work with us

Innovation

A business having premises in only one regulators area can now benefit from Primary

Authority advice and support

Lessons learntBenefits of partnering with a trade organisation are

two wayWorking with the BFFF health & safety committee

Overstocking at Christmas – we learnt that our campaign was too late

Businesses, despite being in competition are happy to work together

Sharing what they have learned & paid for with others in the interests of improved safety

culture

SummaryWe now have a new strand in our compliance

strategyWe now have a valuable new partner helping us

better understand business needs UK now has a scheme where Primary Authority is accessible to businesses working out of a single

countyTogether we reduce the burden on business

Thanks

BFFF for approaching us and their enthusiasm, commitment & ongoing support

BRDO for agreeing to the ‘co-ordinated partnership’ approach and their ongoing

supportJoanna Hancock & Crystal Holmes (BFFF)

Keiron Davey (LFR)