An event to bring together regulatory officers from across a range of services to help make it easier for local businesses to seek advice proved a big success.
Through D2N2’s Better Business for All programme (BBfA), the Organisational Awareness Training Day took place this week in Nottingham at the Learning and Conference Centre, at the National College for Teaching and Leadership, in Triumph Road.
It was organised as D2N2 is aware that reduced resources and tighter budgets are forcing regulatory services to become more innovative and risk-based in their approach to enforcement.
As a result, officers in one service can have limited contact with their colleagues in other services and the aim is to bring them together from all across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire to share best practice.
Jacqui Tillyard, a business coach and mentor, was the keynote speaker on the three basic communication issues that will help officers to communicate more effectively with businesses, thereby helping to build trust and rapport.
A number of organisations, including ACAS, the Gambling Commission, Gangmaster Licensing Authority, Fire Authority, Trading Standards, Customs and the Environment Agency will then run ‘speed dating’ type workshops.
Karen Edmonds, of the BBfA programme, said: “It proved to be a very interesting and informative day for the officers with the main aim of helping to support businesses in a more constructive and joined up way.”
D2N2 Chairman Peter Richardson, who spoke at the event, said: “It was a very successful Awareness Training day with regulators. A big success. I want to say a big thank you to Karen at BBfA for putting together such a good event.”
Group Manager Vic McMillen, who heads Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Fire Protection team, said: “The Service has been pleased to contribute to the Local Enterprise Partnership, in particular at this event and the initiatives already started by the D2N2 LEP.
“We have had the opportunity to listen to the views and experiences of businesses as well as fellow regulators for their experiences and best practices of how to support business in compliance. The setting up of the LEP has allowed us to engage with business owners, and work with them to support them in their enterprise without unnecessary regulatory burdens.
“We are looking forward to building on the success of these partnerships and utilising the learning from today’s event in our work with the D2N2 LEP going forward.”
Matt Holford, Environmental Health Manager at South Derbyshire District Council, said: “Even those of us who dedicate our careers to working with businesses and the law struggle at times to fully understand who regulates what. If I don’t fully grasp the whole regulatory environment then how can I expect a member of my business community to know the ins and outs of every piece of law and who enforces it?
“Every time one of the people in this event interact with a business as part of their job they have the potential to have a positive influence and the tipping point can often depend on the knowledge of the regulator and the attitude of the business.”
Sarah Cairns, Protection and Safety Manager at Rushcliffe Borough Council, added: “As a result of this event I’m positive that over 100 regulators in the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire region will be better equipped to weigh the odds in favour of a positive outcome. That’s good for us all.
“I hope the outcome of the session will be that it will improve communication and build good relationships between all of the regulators.”
