William Eichler 18 May 2022

Council chiefs warn of post-Brexit shortage of professional regulators

Council chiefs warn of post-Brexit shortage of professional regulators image
Image: Wolfilser/Shutterstock.com.

Local authority leaders have urged the Government to do more to train staff to work in the regulatory system due to an increase in post-Brexit challenges.

A new report from the National Audit Office (NAO) looking at the state of regulation in the UK after its exit from the EU says that regulators have had to take on ‘significant new responsibilities’.

Looking in particular at the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the Food Standards Agency (FSA), and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the NAO found that all three are ‘facing operational challenges’, including recruiting people with the necessary skills.

Responding to the report, local leaders said that council regulatory services are facing the same challenges as the national regulators and warned that there was a danger that local professionals would move into national roles.

Chair of the Local Government Association’s (LGA) safer stronger communities board, Cllr Nesil Caliskan, said: ‘The NAO’s report mirrors warnings the LGA has made during the pandemic and since about the lack of professional capacity to draw on in key professions such as environmental health and trading standards.

‘With the expansion of capacity needed in national regulators, there is an increased risk that council’s regulatory services, which are already stretched, will be damaged further as the local professional workforce is recruited into national roles.

'It is therefore essential that the Government ensures the right resources and support is supplied to train up next generation of officers across the full regulatory system, to protect the future of these important roles.’

Why age alone shouldn’t define local government leadership image

Why age alone shouldn’t define local government leadership

Age should never define leadership in local government, says Graeme McDonald, Managing Director of Solace. Instead, councils should invest in inclusive, skills-based development for officers and councillors to deliver effective public services.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Head of Democratic Services, Elections & Monitoring Officer

Harborough District Council
Grade 12 £67,236 – £71,223 plus £3000pa Statutory Officer Allowance
We are looking for an accomplished and proactive leader for our vacant post of Head of Democratic Services & Elections Market Harborough, Leicestershire
Recuriter: Harborough District Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
£35,412 - £39,152 (pre-progression) / £40,777 - £45,091 (post-progression)
We are looking for social workers who have completed the assessed and supported year in employment to join our Families First teams, working with our Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £35,412 - £39,152 (Pre-Progression) / Grade 11 £40,777 - £45,091 (Post-Progression)
Are you a nurturing social worker passionate about supporting parents so that children can remain with their birth family?     This could be the right Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Administrative Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £25,583 - £26,824
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Administrative Officer to join our busy, friendly team, supporting Children and Young People’s Services. 1 x Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Lunchtime Play Worker

Durham County Council
£24,796 pro rata
Lunchtime Play Worker Grade 1 £24,796 pro rata Part Time - 6.25 hour per week, Monday – Friday
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner