The Director of Law, HR and Asset Management provided an update on the progress of the Wirral Trader Scheme (WTS) that was launched in 2003. It was a non-statutory function of Trading Standards and acted as a preventative measure to tackle consumer detriment, support vulnerable people and educate and support businesses in fair trading. The Scheme had proved to be a success with over 84 approved active members and Wirral consumers carrying out 11,675 trader searches in the last 12 months. He commented that the Scheme assisted in delivering key priorities of the Council, including the promotion of sustainable, economic, social, neighbourhood and environmental regeneration, the improvement of the health and well being of Wirral residents and the provision of opportunities for community and business development.

The primary target market for the Scheme was the Home Improvement sector and he commented that the promotion of the Scheme to local communities and traders was vital to its future development. He set out a number of actions to attract new members and a number of improvements to retain existing members.

Resolved – That this Overview and Scrutiny Committee –

(a)  notes the success of the Wirral Trader Scheme and the high levels of consumer demand;

(b)  notes the improvements currently being made to the Wirral Trader Scheme

(c)  recognises the importance of the Wirral Trader Scheme in supporting Wirral residents and businesses, specifically vulnerable people.