Planning to set up an assured trader scheme?

If you are planning to set up an assured trader scheme why start from scratch? Why not consider joining an existing, established scheme which has already received national recognition?

LAATSN members are happy for other authorities to join their established schemes and can provide support, advice and practical assistance to get your scheme started.

Click on the links below to find out more about LAATSN schemes and to see what help is available.

If you join an existing scheme, membership of LAATSN can be obtained using the abbreviated declaration procedure detailed in the guide for applicants - the full application form and initial audit form will not need to be completed.

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Carmarthenshire County Council Registered Traders Scheme

The Trading Standards department of Carmarthenshire County Council has been successfully running the Registered Traders Scheme for 5 years.
 
We would be pleased to offer information and/or assistance to any Welsh authority that is considering implementing their own such scheme.  The following support is available:

• general advice regarding the scheme, its beginnings and subsequent development
• a day visit to the department in order to gain further information and to see it operate in practice, and
• relevant documentation ( terms and conditions of members)
  

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Buy With Confidence

For authorities wishing to introduce the Buy With Confidence scheme in their area, the following support is available:

• provision of all necessary documentation, including updates
• provision of procedures, including updates
• use of central website, with all necessary training (£100 administration fee payable)
• practical training and mentoring on both administration and vetting processes (fee payable where visit to your authority required)
• provision of marketing and advertising material
• membership of user group
• interactive toolkit available (£250).
  

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Rhondda Cynon Taff building and motor trade charters

Rhondda Cynon Taff's consumer services section currently runs trade charters for both the building and motor trades within the authority's area.

The motor trade scheme has been operating successfully for 10 years and the charter for the building trade, which has been operational for a year, has been built on this success.

For any Welsh authorities wishing to adopt their own building and/or motor trade charters the following support is available:

• documentation and materials
• copies of terms and conditions
• a consultancy service where authorities can visit for a day
• training and on going mentoring.
  

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Dudley Trading Standards Fix-A-Home listed trader scheme

Dudley Trading Standards is always happy to speak with other authorities who are looking to set up their own assured trader scheme.

For those authorities who may be considering implementing their own Fix-A-Home style scheme for their area, the following assistance is available:

• general advice on how the Fix-A-Home listed trader scheme was introduced and how it has developed over the years
• a visit to Dudley Trading Standards to discuss in more detail the day to day operation of the scheme
• provision of all necessary documentation, including; the code of practice, trader agreement, interview script, customer satisfaction survey and standard letters.

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Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Trader Register

The Trader Register is jointly funded by Staffordshire County Council Health & Consumer Services and City of Stoke on Trent Community and Adult Services. 

It is a generic, multi-sector scheme and rather than going for a 'gold standard' for inclusion on the register, a bold approach has been taken and the threshold for entry set at a lower level.

For other authorities wishing to adopt the Trader Register scheme the following support is available for a fee:

• documentation and procedures
• website hosting
• consultancy service where authorities can visit for a day.
  

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Dundee City Council - Trusted Trader scheme

'Trusted Trader' is an easily transferable scheme, available 'off the shelf' for most local authority purposes. It is an innovative partnership scheme that allows consumers to assess the services provided by local business in targeted sectors through other consumers' experiences, and empowers them to make better choices when making certain purchasing decisions. The scheme increases consumer confidence, promotes good business practice, and helps protect citizens within the community from rogue traders and doorstep crime.

The scheme can be generic or sector specific and, because of the operation of a referral system through a third party, there is very little liability or resource burden on the local authority, while still providing probably the most information to consumers of any good trader scheme.

Dundee City Council is in the process of registering associated trade marks, but we are also very happy to talk to any local authority about rolling out this very popular and informative scheme in its own area.

We offer the following support:

• provision of all necessary documentation and example procedures
• use of website portal for consumer information, badged for your authority
• practical training on startup and ongoing processes
• practical help with marketing and advertising material
• back office survey operation through Referenceline.

Further information can be obtained from:

Stuart Houston
Environmental Health & Trading Standards
1 Highland Chief Way
Claverhouse West Industrial Park
Dundee
DD4 9UA

Tel: 01382 436210
Fax: 01382 436226
email: stuart.houston@dundeecity.gov.uk 

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Cheshire Trading Standards - Golden Spanner scheme

The Golden Spanner scheme was launched in 1998 and currently has 31 members throughout the Cheshire area covering both car sales and service/repair garages. The scheme is a business partnership between Cheshire Trading Standards and garages that are committed to, and achieve, the high standards demanded of them. Once potential members have shown they are able to meet the high standards, they must pay the yearly administration fee of £390 + VAT for each car sales & service/repair outlet. This money contributes to advertising of the scheme and administration purposes.

For any authorities wishing to introduce Golden Spanner in their area, the following would be available:

• electronic versions of documentation and materials
• copy of the terms & conditions
• consultancy service where authorities can visit for the day
• general support.

For further information, please contact Gill Rostron on 01244 603696.

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Wirral Trader Scheme

For any authority wishing to adopt their own trader scheme the following support is available:

• documentation and materials
• copies of terms and conditions
• practical guidance on setting up your scheme.

Back to: Local trader schemes