Noticeboard your letters Core contract managers are already commonplace in waste and environmental services Contemplating the future After cuts across services and with the threat of more always on the horizon I have recently been contemplating what the future will be for trading standards. All service managers and officers I speak to are constantly talking of the slow decimation of services, and how once-large trading standards are being broken up into smaller, more multiskilled units. All of this seems like a short-term solution, so whats going to happen in the long term? I foresee councils being staffed with core contract managers, who mainly oversee services that were normally provided by council staff. Its already commonplace in areas such as waste and environmental services. With this model, there is still a place for experienced and qualified trading standards officers; however, with the government looking for councils to survive on only council tax and business rates payments, this may become a reality. All views are my own. Adrian Simpson Food, safety and trading standards manager Neighbourhoods and commissioning London Borough of Waltham Forest GOT AN OPINION? We want to hear it. Email tstoday@tsi.org.uk or visit TSIs forum page to add your voice to the discussion. We reserve the right to edit letters.