The Trading Standards Joint Advisory Board is scheduled to meet on Thursday 5 March 2026 to discuss the proposed fees and charges for the Brent & Harrow Trading Standards Service for the upcoming year, as well as the service's work plan for 2026-27. The meeting will also cover the minutes of the previous meeting and future meeting dates.

Fees and Charges Report 2026-27

The board will consider a report detailing the proposed fees and charges for the Brent & Harrow Trading Standards Service for the 2026/27 period. This report outlines how the service plans to set its fees, which fall into three categories: statutory fees set by legislation, RPI-linked fees, and discretionary fees. The report notes that the service aims to benchmark its fees against comparable local authorities to remain competitive. Specific fees to be discussed include those for explosive (firework) licenses, monetary penalties for letting and property management work, and fees related to primary authority partnerships. The document also details proposed fees for weights and measures services, registration for auction premises, and duties carried out at Wembley events. Financial implications are also presented, with a projection of income from fees and charges.

Work Plan Report 2026-27

A report on the proposed work plan for Brent & Harrow Trading Standards for the 2026/27 financial year is scheduled for discussion. This plan outlines the key activities and priority areas for the service, which aims to protect consumers, support businesses, and ensure a fair marketplace. The work plan is influenced by national priorities identified by the National Trading Standards Board (NTSB), including doorstep crime, illicit tobacco, and e-commerce compliance, as well as London Trading Standards' thematic priorities. The report also considers the priorities set out in Brent's Borough Plan 2023-27 and Harrow's 'Restoring Pride in Harrow' plan. The document details assumptions made in drafting the plan, such as a focus on reactive, complaint-driven work and prioritising commercial activities that generate income. The work plan categorises priorities into high, medium, and low, with specific areas of focus within each. Projected work volumes for both the Brent and Harrow teams are also provided, based on staff numbers.

Minutes of Previous Meeting

The board will be asked to approve the minutes of the previous meeting, which was held on Wednesday 5 November 2025.

Date of Future Meetings

The provisional schedule of meetings agreed between Brent and Harrow for the 2026-27 Municipal Year will be presented for noting. These include meetings on Tuesday 30 June 2026, Tuesday 3 November 2026, and Thursday 4 March 2027.