Highways & Neighbourhoods Cabinet Member – Minutes – 6 January 2014

92 (39) CREATION OF NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE TRADING STANDARDS FACEBOOK PAGE – The Director of Places submitted a report seeking approval for the creation of a dedicated Facebook page for North Lincolnshire Trading Standards.

Nationally, Trading Standards had seen an increase in the use of social networking sites to buy and sell goods.  In particular, North Lincolnshire Trading Standards had noted in increase in the amount of complaints about individuals who used Facebook as a means to advertise and sell illegal goods.  Currently, Trading Standards had no way of communicating with these sellers directly, other than by officers using their personal Facebook accounts, which was not appropriate going forward.

It was proposed that a North Lincolnshire Council Trading Standards Facebook page was created, which would provide information on a wide range of Trading Standards functions.  It would also act as a tool to contact local sellers and warn or offer advice on the products that they may be selling.

The page would also allow people to easily make contact and supply information through private messaging to the inbox.  Individual complaints would be directed to the Citizens Advice Consumer Advice Helpline.

Resolved – That the creation of a dedicated Facebook page for North Lincolnshire Trading Standards be approved.

93 (40) THE REAL DEAL CHARTER – The Director of Places submitted a report seeking agreement for the council to sign up to the Real Deal Charter.

The Real Deal was a campaign focused on a National Markets Charter which provided guidance, information and promotional support to market operators and trading standards to ensure that participating markets stayed fake-free.

The scheme endeavoured to promote safe and fair markets and fight to keep counterfeit goods out of UK markets and car boot sales.  There were currently 60 councils and over 300 markets operating the Real Deal scheme, including North East Lincolnshire and various councils across Lincolnshire.

Trading Standards received several complaints in 2013 regarding car boot sales and the sale of illegal items such as alcohol and counterfeit DVDs.  The scheme aimed to promote closer working relationships between Trading Standards, market operators and the market traders, in order to provide advice and to report suspected counterfeit items for sale.

The Real Deal also provided support in the form of guidance literature for Trading Standards and traders, posters and banners.  All promotional materials were provided free of charge. 

Resolved – That the proposal for the council to sign up to the Real Deal Charter be approved.

The corresponding report of the following item (Minute 94 refers) contains exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

94  (41) ELECTRICAL TESTING UNIT REVISED STRUCTURE – The Director of Places submitted a report seeking approval for changes to the staffing structure of the council’s Electrical Testing Unit.

Following a recent retirement, one of the posts of Electrical Testing Engineers was now vacant, therefore giving an opportunity for the structure to be reviewed.

The report set out proposals for the changes to the staffing structure, including financial implications.

Resolved – That the proposals, set out in the report, be approved.