A CONSULTANCY to help businesses with advice on areas such as environmental health or trading standards has been set up by Powys County Council (PCC).

At a meeting of the cabinet on Tuesday, September 17, councillors approved and welcomed the proposals that PCC set a “Primary Authority Partnership” scheme.

This means that businesses can enter a legal agreement with PCC and will receive help and advice on legislation that “regulates” their area of work.

Portfolio holder for Corporate Government, Housing and Public Protection, Cllr James Evans, said: “Businesses can be fearful of regulation and the powers officers hold in relation to enforcement.

“Business perception of regulators is changing to embrace the positive interaction businesses can have on business compliance and reducing the risk of falling foul of the law, public protection risk, reputational damage and cost to the business.

“Primary Authority is an alternative means for business to comply with regulatory requirements.”

Cllr Evans added that PCC is there to support business and the areas it covers will be Environmental Health, Trading Standards, Licensing and Fire Safety.

Portfolio holder for planning and economy, Cllr Martin Weale (Independent, Llanbadarn Fynydd), said: “I welcome this. More interaction between businesses and PCC is a good thing.”

Council Leader, Cllr Rosemarie Harris (Independent – Llangynidr), added: “This is positive.”

At the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show in July Powys Commercial Services Ltd was launched, its own Local Authority Trading Company – which will be able to trade with private firms and make a profit.

PCC does offer a wide range of services under the guise of Heart of Wales Business solutions.

These include, DBS (Disclosure and Barring Checks), Transformation and Project management, fraud investigation, Welsh language translation services and even help for organisation with their social media presence.