, "8":"News Government doesnt understand the impact of cuts, warns NAO TSI chief executive Leon Livermore fears the cuts are creating a ticking time bomb Central government is not monitoring the impact of the cuts on local government and is unaware of their consequences warns the National Audit Office in its latest report. The Impact of Funding Reductions on Local Authorities has found that, while local authorities have generally coped well with reductions ingovernment funding, some are showing clear signs of financial stress. Itsaid that the Department for Communities and Local Government has a limited understanding of authorities financial sustainability, and of the impacts of funding cuts on services. TSI chief executive Leon Livermore said: We are extremely concerned bythe lack of any coordinated monitoring of the impact financial cuts are having on local authorities service delivery. We have been ringing the alarm bells over the savage budget cuts to trading standards services for some time. The number of trading standards staff has already been halved over five years, potentially putting the health and wellbeing of consumers and the economy at risk and a further 25 per cent cut in local authority spending power in 2015-16 is forecast by the NAO report. Trading standards services have statutory duties to enforce more than 250 pieces of legislation, requiring specialist skills and knowledge a gap that cannot be filled by volunteers or untrained staff. Livermore added: The report backs up our fears that the financial stress on some local authorities is creating a ticking time bomb, with the sustainability of trading standards and their ability to protect consumers and honest business on the line. According to the report, further planned cuts will bring local authorities total funding reduction to 37 per cent by 2015-16, excluding the Better Care Fund and public health grant. International con artist funds apprenticeships The ill-gotten gains of convicted Bedford fraudster Hendrick Meniru are going to be put to good use by Bedford Borough Council. The conman ran a series of international fraud schemes, which conned millions of pounds from thousands of people across the world. Typically he persuaded his victims usually the elderly or vulnerable to part with their money based on bogus claims and promises. They would be invited, through introductory letters, to send advance fees in the form of cheques and cash to PO boxes based in Bedford, in order to claim a prize. Following a five-week trial in March 2013 at Luton Crown Court, Meniru was ordered to pay 3m in fines for all his crimes, plus a further 200,000 in associated costs. Under the Proceeds of Crime application, Bedford Borough Council will receive 200,000, plus a proportion of the Confiscation Order (562,500). The majority of the money will be used to fund 15 apprenticeships in the regulatory services, annually over the next three years. These will involve working within the council, which will partner with Bedford College as the training provider. The apprenticeships are available to all, but will be especially promoted to groups such as ex-servicemen and women. It is planned that the balance of 312,500 will be used by the council to carry out further legal and enforcement activities. The Mayor of Bedford Borough, Dave Hodgson, said: We want to ensure that something positive can come out of this appalling, callous crime. This funding will be put to good use and shared between two vital purposes providing training and employment opportunities, and the prevention of, and enforcement against, such crimes in the future. You can read the Meniru investigation in full on page 19 of the October 2013 printed issue of TS Today. Rogue plumber avoids jail A Bromley plumber has escaped a prison term after scamming an elderly customer. Darren Leigh told the Bromley resident, who had a problem with a toilet cistern, that her water tank was leaking and needed to be replaced at a cost of 1,750, plus VAT. Her daughter later contacted trading standards, as she was concerned about the quality of the job. Bromley officers arranged for an expert to examine Leighs work, which was found to be of a poor standard and wholly unnecessary. The plumber had been prosecuted in the past by both Bromley and Kent Trading Standards for unfair trading. Leigh was found guilty of two offences of fraud. The judge imposed a supervision order, 20 days on the Thinking Skills Programme a programme to help offenders stay out of trouble 120 hours of unpaid work and nine months imprisonment on each fraud charge, although this was suspended for 18 months. Nottinghamshire freezes counterfeit sales Hundreds of fake Disney merchandising Frozen items have been seized by Nottinghamshire Trading Standards from a Newark shop, following a tip-off from a concerned member of the public. The counterfeit goods including childrens pyjamas, dolls, fancy dress costumes, umbrellas, snap watches, backpacks and blankets were on sale in the shop and online. Many may not conform to EU safety regulations, including flammability standards. Nottinghamshire County Council is carrying out an investigation and plans to destroy all the fake goods. Councillor Alice Grice, vice-chair of the councils community safety committee, said: Official Frozen merchandise is among this years must-have Christmas presents for children but, unfortunately, counterfeiters who want to cash in on the craze are all too aware. We would advise parents to be especially wary when buying items like this from individuals or nonreputable companies on online auction or social media sites. "