Apply for the Primary Authority partnership scheme

Primary Authority is a national scheme that creates legally recognised partnerships between businesses and their local authorities (also known as primary authorities).

In the partnership, the local authority provides the business with expert regulatory advice that makes it easier to understand and comply with environmental health, trading standards and fire safety legislation.

The scheme is open to large or small businesses trading in single or multiple local authority areas.

We offer Primary Authority partnerships that focus on:

• food safety
• health and safety
• trading standards (through Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards)

As your partner we will:

• take time to understand your business
• give you expert advice on specialist regulatory matters
• advise other local authorities on your company and its procedures

Following our advice will gives you:

• legal status against challenges by other local authorities
• a secure basis for investment and operational decisions

Other benefits include:

• a legally binding agreement
• a single point of contact with a dedicated officer who gets to know your business
• inspection plans to target interventions and remove duplicity
• consistency of regulation across all sites
• less unnecessary checks and inspections
• less business risk
• the resolution of compliance issues

The scheme works on a 'cost recovery' basis where your business enters into a financial agreement with the council.

You can set up a Primary Authority partnership in 3 steps:

1. Agree with us what services you need and how much they'll cost
2. Agree to adopt the standard terms and conditions or to make amendments to certain parts
3. Complete an application form, signed by you and the council

To start the application process email [email protected]

Trading standards partnerships are offered by Buckinghamshire & Surrey Trading Standards.

A list of fees and information on how to apply is available on the Surrey County Council website.

For government guidance see Primary Authority: a guide for businesses (GOV.UK).