Scottish trading standards resource allocationIn this feature l pressures l resource issues l declining expertisecreated for Spotlight on Scotland There are about 300 trading standards staff working in 31 services across Scotland. Here’s a snapshot of how those diminishing resources are deployed Source: AudiT of ScoTTiSH TrAding STAndArdS Service reSource AllocATion, AuguST 2015, SocieTy of cHief officerS of TrAding STAndArdS in ScoTlAnd DISclaImer: For illustrative purposes only. Figures are taken From responding councils. not all councils responded to every category oF the audit. Workload: 33% (9) of councils are coping with trading standards functions Problems reported: Work is reactively done; limited and diminishing proactive work Arising matters not dealt with in depth because of resource pressures Limited resources targeted at statutory functions Staff not replaced/ pressure on staff/ issue with staff expertise Small claims not being dealt with A lot of educational work has ceased 7 councils 5 5 1.6 1Average number of full-time staff at the remaining councils 6 councils have no full-time staff 0.5 5 councils have no full-time staff 0.7Average number of full-time staff at the remaining councils 2 councils have no full-time staff 0.9 0.8Average number of full-time staff at the remaining councils 4 1.7Average number of full-time staff at the 67% (18) of councils are struggling to carry out trading standards functions 3 3 2 7councils 0.62 full-time employees per 10,000 population Staffing available per function: Consumer advice Consumer complaint intervention/support have no full-time staffAverage number of full-time staff at the remaining councils11 councils have no full-time staffConsumer educationAverage number of full-time staff at the remaining councilsBusiness advice/educationWeights and measures Agriculture Safety Fair trading Environment Licensing Average number of full-time staff at the remaining councils 6 councils have no full-time staffcouncils have no full-time staff3 remaining councils councils have no full-time staff 2.4 17councils have no full-time staff 0.09 17councils have no full-time staff 0.4 17councils have no full-time staff 0.5 2councils have no full-time staff 1.9 Average number of full-time staff at the remaining councils Average number of full-time staff at the remaining councilsAverage number of full-time staff at the remaining councils Assured trader schemeAverage number of full-time staff at the remaining councilsRegulatory support activities To share this page, click on in the toolbar Average number of full-time staff at the remaining councils You might also like Down on the farm – April 2016