Decision details

To seek approval to enter into an arrangement with Buckinghamshire County Council to enable Oxfordshire Trading Standards Service to perform licensing and inspection functions in relation to the storage of petroleum spirit and explosives in Buckinghamshire in return for a fee.

Agreed recommendation as amended in bold italics

The Cabinet Member for Safer & Stronger Communities is RECOMMENDED to authorise the Head of Trading Standards and Community Safety to enter into an agreement with Buckinghamshire County Council to provide licensing and inspection services for petroleum spirit and explosives subject to satisfactory terms being negotiated with Buckinghamshire County Council, taking account of the need to mitigate the financial risks associated with this project to deliver services to an external body ie Buckinghamshire County Council.

Note: The hourly rate to be charged separately by Oxfordshire County Council for undertaking investigations on behalf of Buckinghamshire Trading Standards in respect of enforcement responsibilities (eg investigations of identified breaches) will be built into the contract as a clause.

The Acting Head of Trading Standards and Community Safety undertook to discuss potential legal liability with the Monitoring Officer and Head of Legal & Democratic Services and ensure that Oxfordshire County Council would not be exposed to risk should Buckinghamshire County Council not follow advice or recommendations arising from the services provided.