Chair of the Local Better Regulation Office Appointed and Birmingham Announced as the Location

April 6 2007

Hilary Armstrong, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, today announced the appointment of Clive Grace as Chair of the Local Better Regulation Office (LBRO). This is the first appointment to the LBRO which is being established as part of the Government's drive to make regulation simpler, more effective and better value for money.

Formally taking up his position in June, Clive Grace will set the strategic direction of the LBRO and head a board which will include people from a business background as well as those with central and local government experience. The LBRO will help drive up the performance of local authority regulatory services aiming to deliver significant reductions in the burdens of regulation on compliant businesses while maintaining regulatory outcomes. Its remit will initially cover local authority trading standards and environmental health services. The organisation will be based in Birmingham.

Hilary Armstrong said:

"I'm very pleased to announce Clive Grace as the first Chair of the Local Better Regulation Office and that the organisation will be located in Birmingham. Success will depend on the drive, dynamism and creativity of its Board and senior staff as the challenges will be great but rewarding. This is a real opportunity to improve the regulatory framework and realise the substantial benefits for business, local authorities, consumers and the economy."

Clive Grace said:

"This is a great opportunity, particularly at this formative point for the new organisation. There are many partners in the field of regulation and I look forward to engaging with them, as they will be paramount to the success of implementing better regulation at a local and regional level."

Local authorities are vital partners in the better regulation agenda. Together, they make up the largest enforcer in the United Kingdom, inspecting more premises and enforcing more areas of law than any other. Already, Peter Rogers, Chief Executive of Westminster City council, has published the recommendations of his review setting five priorities for local regulatory services and Professor Richard Macrory has reviewed regulatory penalties to ensure that they are proportionate. The LBRO will lead on implementing these important changes.

This appointment was made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments' (OCPA) Code of Practice. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees' political activity to be made public. Clive Grace has no declared political activity. The Chair appointment is remunerated at £50,000 for 80 days per year and will run from June 2007 to June 2012.

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