Wednesday, 13 March 2013

This 'No Smoking Day', (Wednesday 13 March), Hampshire County Council Trading Standards officers are reporting that more shops in Hampshire have been found to be selling cigarettes to children.

In test purchases carried out by Trading Standards' underage volunteers since July 2012 five shops out of 19, in Basingstoke, Chandler's Ford, Havant, Totton and Winchester did not challenge the age of the young person who was attempting to buy cigarettes. This compares to ten underage sales as a result of test purchases on 138 shops across Hampshire in the previous three years.

The maximum fine for selling tobacco to under 18's is £2,500 and for persistent selling, shops and staff can be banned from sales for up to 12 months.

In response to these test purchases, Trading Standards have formally warned and advised three businesses, one other is no longer trading following the cancellation of their alcohol licence for other similar alleged offences, and one matter is still under investigation.

Underage sales of tobacco is a priority for Hampshire County Council's Trading Standards which support businesses in preventing such sales. Officers are therefore urging the public to get in touch if they are aware of underage sales across Hampshire. People can contact Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service by calling 08454 04 05 06 or by emailing underage.sales@hants.gov.uk

Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Ken Thornber, said: "It is disappointing that underage sales of tobacco have increased. However, Hampshire County Council's Trading Standards team is working closely with NHS colleagues to tackle the problem of illegal underage sales, and also help prevent tobacco getting into young hands, through awareness raising in schools, and support to quit. Helping shops refuse sales to young people is one element of reducing supply, as well as delaying the age at which young people start smoking.

"Test purchasing takes place as part of a wider programme of work to reduce the rate of smoking among young people locally, led jointly by NHS Hampshire and Hampshire County Council. In many cases Trading Standards relies on intelligence received from residents as most of the illegal sales identified by the team are as a direct result of a parent or member of the public reporting concerns to them. We would urge anyone who may be aware of any such sales to therefore report them to our Trading Standards officers. "

Dr Ruth Milton, Director of Public Health for NHS Hampshire said: "Currently, in England around 12% of 15 year olds smoke regularly, and in some parts of Hampshire, this rate is even higher. The NHS therefore offers young smokers crucial help to quit, through the Quit4Life

Stop Smoking Service. The Service offers free confidential advice and support for smokers of all ages through drop-in sessions, one-to-one help and a dedicated telephone support service with free patches and gum or a one off prescription payment. By stopping smoking, you can not only save money, you will also feel fitter and healthier, and reduce your risk of heart attacks and cancer."

Businesses needing help can contact Hampshire County Council Trading Standards on 01962 833620 or for more information and advice can visit our Underage Sales page.

Anyone wishing to report a shop for selling age restricted goods can fill in a form on the Hampshire County Council Trading Standards website or email: underage.sales@hants.gov.uk

• Details of this year's No Smoking Day

Thursday, 28 February 2013

The Insulate Hampshire scheme has been named as one of the finalists in the Climate Week 2013 Awards, after being shortlisted in the category of 'Best Local Initiative'.

The Climate Week Awards consider the work of the United Kingdom's most innovative, effective, and ambitious organisations, communities and individuals to combat climate change. The Awards recognise the most inspirational projects and initiatives from all across Britain.

Councillor Ken Thornber, Chairman of the Hampshire Senate says "It is very good news that Insulate Hampshire has been shortlisted for a Climate Week Award as the scheme has delivered such positive outcomes for many Hampshire residents. All the partners involved have worked hard to combat fuel poverty and reduce carbon emissions through the project. Hampshire residents have been able to save money on their fuel bills as well as reduce their household carbon emissions.

"Tackling fuel poverty is a priority for the Hampshire Senate, and thanks to the thousands of insulation measures installed during the scheme, households across the county have taken positive action to reduce their bills and at the same time improve their health and wellbeing."

The Insulate Hampshire scheme has been responsible for installing over 18,600 insulation measures in Hampshire homes. As a result, Hampshire residents have collectively saved over £91 million in fuel bill savings and over 9,000 tonnes of CO2 over the lifespan of their insulation measures.

Award winners will be announced on 4 March 2013. Climate Week is a national climate change campaign, aimed at engaging with all sectors to create a sustainable future. Climate Week 2013 runs from 4 March until 10 March.

• Further information about the Climate Week Awards

Wednesday 20 February 2013

Hampshire County Council Trading Standards (HCC TS) have been involved in the first part of the Food Standards Agency's (FSA) national sampling programme to investigate the extent of horsemeat in food products.

The FSA, which is responsible for food safety and food hygiene across the UK, has advised that at present there are no known risks to public safety or health, their investigations at this point are concerned with the serious mislabelling of products. Based on specific criteria laid down by the FSA, this has involved us taking food samples from eight premises at various levels in the food supply chain e.g. small butchers shops, retailers, caterers and large and small wholesalers. In addition five samples of locally produced ready meals are also being taken.

This has been coordinated nationally, alongside action by the industry, to avoid duplication and the samples have been submitted to Hampshire Scientific Service as our Public Analyst for onward transmission to be analysed by Worcester Scientific Service for horsemeat DNA. Worcester Scientific Service is one of only a few enforcement laboratories able to undertake the testing required by the FSA. The FSA is expected to announce the full results of its sampling survey in April.

Leader of Hampshire County Council, Cllr Ken Thornber, said: "I am pleased that Hampshire County Council is part of the rapid response force conducting testing programmes all across the country as part of our ongoing work with food businesses in Hampshire to ensure that the labelling and composition of food complies with the law. We are doing all we can to ensure people are buying food that is as stated on the label. According to the FSA there is currently no known risk to public safety or health.

"Parents of Hampshire schoolchildren and the families of residents in Hampshire County Council care homes can be assured that beef in their meals is 100% beef. We take the food chain back to source by looking at where the food comes from, and we also carry out strict hygiene and cleanliness checks in school kitchens to ensure that the meals served to children remain of the highest standard.

"In addition, our Hampshire Scientific Service check at source, the suppliers of food provided by the County Council, and carry out stringent checks throughout the year, from supply to kitchen and all the stages in between, which also include verifying the authenticity of ingredients. Few other local authorities do this.

"We also enforce standards through our Trading Standards Service and we have a higher focus than many authorities in this area.

"As a result of this thorough approach, we have been hailed an example of good practice and will continue to monitor the food we buy and supply, to ensure that we continue to meet our responsibilities, and provide reassurance to the people of Hampshire."

Hampshire County Council works with food businesses in Hampshire to ensure that the law relating to food standards is complied with, including the labelling and composition of food products. It provides advice and guidance to local food businesses to help them comply with the law, with resources focussed on working with higher risk activities such as large manufacturing businesses or those that have a history of not complying with the law. The Council has powers to take samples of food products to ensure that the labelling accurately reflects the content of the product and that people are buying what it says on the label.

To that end, in addition to the FSA sampling programme, HCC TS are also targeting visits to about 10 companies. Some of these are local producers whose supplies of meat are likely to be sourced in Europe. Most of these are already in the process of getting product analysed and are only releasing new product on a "positive release system" i.e. releasing only after the product has been checked and proven clear of horsemeat and HCC TS have been advising them on this and are taking some further samples as necessary. The other companies are cold/chill stores that are not companies routinely visited and we are checking their supply chains. Depending on further information further samples may be taken and the number of visits may be increased.

• Hampshire Trading Standards

Friday, 15 February 2013

Members of the Hampshire Senate have heard how the Senate-backed'nsulate Hampshire' scheme has provided loft and cavity wall insulation to 13,900 Hampshire homes - and in the first year alone after installation, will help to save residents £2.3million from their energy bills, and 9,500 tonnes of CO2.

The scheme which was backed by all members of the Senate plus Eastleigh and Fareham Borough Councils with funding from ScottishPower, saw over 18,600 cavity walls and lofts being fitted with insulation, largely at no cost to the resident. Residents were also able to pick up free DIY 'top up' rolls of loft insulation at community events, to install themselves at home. Enough rolls of loft insulation were given away at these events to cover 31 football pitches.

The total amount that is expected to be saved thanks to the 'Insulate Hampshire'; measures is over £92million from Hampshire householders' fuel bills. Meanwhile over 381,000 tonnes of CO2 will be saved over the lifespan of the cavity wall and loft insulation for Hampshire residents.

The highest number of installations took place in East Hampshire (2,385), followed by Basingstoke and Deane (2,267), New Forest (2,179) and Test Valley (2,007).

Chairman of the Hampshire Senate, Councillor Ken Thornber, said: "Insulate Hampshire has been hugely successful in helping people to insulate their homes and save money, which is particularly important as the cost of energy continues to rise, and households face ongoing financial pressures. The scheme has also been a positive boost to Hampshire's local economy - creating and maintaining 100 jobs.

"Tackling fuel poverty is a priority for the Hampshire Senate, and thanks to the thousands of insulation measures installed during the scheme, collectively, the Senate and its partners have helped to empower households across the county to take positive action to reduce their bills, and at the same time improve people's health and wellbeing."

Meanwhile, building on scheme's success, and through the Insulate Hampshire partnership, members of the Senate have heard how people on low incomes and other vulnerable householders will get even more help to keep warm and cut the cost of heating thanks to £383,544 funding awarded to Hampshire County Council by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).

The funding will be used to provide a full package of loft clearance, insulation and storage solutions for up to 390 households. It is anticipated this could save up to £175 on energy bills per household, each year.

Around 20 households who have benefited recently from a free gas connection to their property via Southern Gas Networks' Assisted Connections scheme will also have gas central heating installed, thanks to the additional funding from the DECC. For these households it is estimated they could save up to £300 per year on their energy bills.

Qualifying criteria does apply for both of these funding applications and there is a requirement from DECC that the projects are completed by 31 March 2013.

Insulate Hampshire will be contacting those residents who qualify, from the original scheme.

Hampshire County Council's Hitting the Cold Spots scheme aims to give older people and vulnerable people immediate and practical advice on reducing energy bills, increasing available income and keeping warm. Help is available until the end of March from a trained advisor by calling a free number (0800 804 8601) and, depending on the situation, further help may also be on offer including` free home assessments and grants to assist with hot water and heating repairs using Buy With Confidence traders.

• Insulate Hampshire

Friday, 08 February 2013

In the wake of fresh concerns over horsemeat being found in some meat products sold in supermarkets across the country, parents of Hampshire schoolchildren and the families of residents in Hampshire County Council care homes are being reassured that beef in their meals is 100% beef.

Hampshire County Council provides around 8.5million meals each year to people in its care, some of whom are vulnerable. Hampshire's meals contain locally sourced ingredients such as Hampshire beef and pork, and meatballs and beef burgers on the lunchtime menu for schoolchildren are produced locally from Laverstoke Park Farm near Overton, which contain 100% beef.

With the price of a school meal once again frozen at £2 - for a fifth year in a row - free range eggs from the New Forest are also used, as well as apple juice from Selborne, and fish from well-managed, sustainable fisheries.

County Council Leader, Councillor Ken Thornber, said: "As we are serving around 45,000 meals each day to Hampshire pupils we have to be very sure about food safety. We take the food chain back to source by looking at where the food comes from, and we also carry out strict hygiene and cleanliness checks in school kitchens to ensure that the meals served to children remain of the highest standard. What's more, our school meals service remains the only one in the country to hold the Hyperactive Children's Support Group Award for the removal of over 70 additives in food that may cause children a behavioural or medical issue, such as colourants, sulphites and trans fats.

"In addition, our Hampshire Scientific Service check at source, all the suppliers of food provided by the County Council, and carry out stringent checks throughout the year, from supply to kitchen and all the stages in between, which also include verifying the authenticity of ingredients. We are unique in that few other local authorities do this.

"We also enforce standards through our Trading Standards Service and we have a higher focus than many authorities in this area. The food that we supply tends to be provided by local suppliers. By working with them through Trading Standards and monitoring the food we purchase, we believe we are helping local companies meet their statutory obligations, helping them stay in business, and ensuring the wellbeing of Hampshire residents.

"As a result of this thorough approach, we have been hailed an example of good practice and will continue to monitor the food we buy and supply, to ensure that we continue to meet our responsibilities, and provide reassurance to the people of Hampshire."

• Further information about the Hampshire Scientific Service

Tuesday, 08 January 2013

Councils across Hampshire are joining forces in a bid to help residents across Hampshire benefit from greater savings on their gas and electricity bills.

The County Council is working with other local authorities across Hampshire to set up a 'collective energy switching service' which will enable gas and electricity consumers in the county to combine their purchasing power and get a better deal on their bills.

Councillor Mel Kendal, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Environment at Hampshire County Council, said: "This is good news for households across the county since it will mean that people who register for the scheme will possibly be able to get their gas and/or electricity at much cheaper rates than if they were buying either service as an individual customer.

"For instance, there are approximately 760,000 households in Hampshire. If two per cent sign up to switch energy supplier through our collective energy switching service, this would give a combined purchasing power of just over 15,000 customers, enabling the negotiation of greater discounts on their behalf. Clearly, the more people who sign up, the more negotiating power we will have - so it is vital as many people as possible register for the scheme.

"Being able to access cheaper energy has the potential to bring significant benefits to those on low incomes, the elderly and families in fuel poverty which in turn should have a positive impact on their health and wellbeing.

"It will also give an opportunity for greater savings to be made by those who rely on electricity alone for heating and cooking because they cannot be connected to a mains gas supply.

"Typically customers could save in the region of £60 to £200 on their energy bills by participation in collective switching. Running an energy switching scheme three times a year could lead to potential savings of up to £25 million for Hampshire residents."

To get the scheme up and running, the County Council, on behalf of the other Hampshire local authorities, is proposing to contract an intermediary organisation to manage the collective switching process. A decision on this is to be taken on 22 January 2013 at the Executive Member for Environment and Transport Decision Day. If agreed, the organisation under contract would be responsible for registering consumers, negotiating with energy companies to secure the best deal for householders and arranging the switch for each individual customer. There would be no charges to the customer or any council tax payer for this service, since the organisation's payment would come from a referral fee paid to the organisation by the energy supplier.

More details about the scheme and how people can register will be announced at the beginning of April 2013, subject to the agreement (on 22 January) to contract an agency to undertake the energy switching work, and the tender process leading to the appointment of a contractor with the required expertise, skills and resources.

Nationally, collective energy switching is supported strongly by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, the Local Government Association and consumer groups including Consumer Focus.

Friday, 02 November 2012

Hampshire County Council's Trading Standards officers are warning people to be on their guard against a new investment scam targeting residents across the county.

Trading Standards have received a number of complaints from people across Hampshire including residents of Aldershot, Hythe and Petersfield, about a scam involving fraudulent telemarketers who are making unsolicited phone calls to shareholders of well-known companies, and promising to buy their shares from them, for much more than they are worth. The cold-callers claim that they are working on behalf of a client who is trying to increase their holding.

The businesses do not correspond using post and instead ask for the shareholder's email address. If the consumer does not have an email, they have suggested using the local library's fax machine. Individuals are then expected to collect the paperwork, complete it, and return it with a copy of their shares certificate.

Although it would appear that no payments have yet been made by any Hampshire residents, Trading Standards and the Financial Services Authority (FSA) are warning that after building up a relationship of trust with consumers, the company may attempt to take payment, claiming that it will release the funds in exchange for the shares. Once a payment has been made to the organisation, the victims are unlikely to hear from them again.

This caution follows a recent warning from the FSA about a company working under the name of 'Williams Consultancy Limited', which is based in the USA. Although at first, the company appears to be reputable and legitimate, they are not authorised to carry out regulated activities in the UK, because of this, the FSA will not intervene in the event that money is lost.

Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Ken Thornber, said: "Boiler room scams use high-pressure sales techniques to persuade victims to buy or sell shares which may not exist or turn out to be worthless. They not only target vulnerable residents but also investment professionals and in some cases victims have been cheated out of thousands of pounds because organisations can use very convincing techniques.

"It is important that everyone is sceptical about any unsolicited offers. If it seems 'too good to be true', then it probably is. The advice is never to give out your details to any companies that are unknown to you, and in particular, if you're asked, never provide your bank details for any kind of payment. You should never have to pay in advance to release funds. If in doubt, contact Trading Standards via the Citizen's Advice Consumer Service on 08454 04 05 06."

• More information about how to protect yourself against scams

Wednesday, 31 October 2012

Hampshire County Council, in partnership with the Big Lottery funded Learning at the Centre Project at Basingstoke Discovery Centre, have been working with people who have communication difficulties to create a training film to help staff and others to communicate more confidently with people who find speech challenging.

This small group, supported by staff from the Learning at the Centre Project, Hampshire Learning Centre and Adult Services, wrote and made a short film whose key message is to "have patience and listen".

The film is sometimes challenging to watch as there are no sub-titles, but people do not speak in subtitles - patience and listening carefully with respect will provide the answers.

The film will be used as a training aid by Hampshire County Council, but with the agreement of the group who made the film it is freely available to all organisations and individuals, particularly those who come into everyday contact with people who sometimes struggle to be heard and get their point across.

The film was supported by the Learning at the Centre Project as a development opportunity for Project participants.

• Play 'How to talk with me' film

Tuesday, 23 October 2012

Faced with ever-rising gas and electricity prices and amid growing concerns about future energy supplies and climate change, Hampshire County Council is set to agree a long term energy strategy that will not only save money and reduce carbon emissions, but also offer local communities access to secure, affordable or low carbon energy.

The innovative new strategy, which will be discussed at the Cabinet meeting on 29 October, builds on the interim energy strategy agreed in February 2012. The aim is to deliver reductions in energy costs and carbon emissions, increase energy security and position the County Council as a community leader on energy.

Increasing energy prices

With energy prices forecast to increase by 50% above inflation by 2030, potential gaps in future energy supplies and the need to reduce carbon emissions, the County Council's ambitions of cutting costs, increasing efficiencies and continuing to deliver high quality services could be seriously threatened.

As a major employer and purchaser of goods and services, the County Council spent £15.7 million on energy for 670 sites in 2011, including £11.5 million on school buildings. Around 178 sites currently have gas and electricity bills of more than £20,000 a year. The buildings owned by the Council include residential care homes, museums and libraries as well as offices. The £4.2 million spent on energy in non-school buildings could escalate to a massive £16 million by 2030 if steps are not taken to tackle the issue.

New opportunities to generate energy

The County Council is a Waste Authority with three Energy Recovery facilities that already produce energy that powers 53,000 homes.

There are also new opportunities for the Council to become involved in generating and selling energy., providing scope to generate more income, reduce overheads and increase efficiencies.

The implementation of a programme of pilot projects and feasibility studies, such as the successful 'Insulate Hampshire' and Ecotec 21 is key to developing the longer term strategy. Other options include investing in community energy generation, more efficient energy generation such as Combined Heat and Power (CHP) technology and developing projects that improve the way energy is used in Hampshire.

The proposed strategy sets out how the County Council will deliver a leadership response to energy including developing mechanisms, potential partnerships, research collaborations and financial arrangements to enable the maximum benefit from available opportunities. The four objectives are to:

• reduce energy consumption and increase efficient energy use in the County Council estate and in Hampshire
• invest in local energy projects that support the energy strategy's key principles
• integrate energy into 'place-shaping' - strategic planning and upgrading of new and existing infrastructure to ensure efficient energy delivery and use, combined with sustainable waste management
• facilitate community access to secure, affordable and/or low carbon energy and energy services.

Range of options

Following approval of the interim energy strategy in February this year, a range of options based on reduced energy use, purchase, generation and sale builds on earlier work to develop internal expertise and provide robust evidence of the costs and benefits of the different approaches.

Cllr Ken Thornber, Leader of Hampshire County Council said:

"We currently spend in the region of £15.7million on energy across our whole estate, with schools accounting for most of this. Rising energy bills are a significant concern, particularly with the continued cuts in funding for the foreseeable future. It therefore makes good sense to look at how we can save energy to drive down costs and cut carbon emissions, as well as potentially generating our own energy.

"As a Council, we are well placed to maximise new opportunities and provide strategic leadership for energy on behalf of residents and businesses in Hampshire. As a significant employer, energy consumer and landowner, we have a responsibility to use our resources in the most efficient way - the less money we spend on energy the more there is to fund other vital services, which Hampshire residents rely on."

Expertise in energy management

The County Council has developed expertise and experience in cutting carbon emissions and reducing energy use by, for example, fitting new boiler technologies and encouraging staff working in buildings to save energy. Other innovations include piloting alternative low carbon energy sources such as the installation of biomass boilers at Queen Elizabeth Country Park and Runways End Activity Centre, and using solar energy to heat hot water and power buildings.

Cllr Thornber added:

"We now need to build on our experience, look carefully at how we can cut energy use and generate more of our own energy to ensure that Hampshire continues to prosper through having a safe, secure and cost-effective energy supply in the future. By taking action to increase the security of local energy supply and reducing our reliance on national infrastructure, we will also be in a better position to ensure business continuity in case of extreme weather and climate change."

• Details of the decisions to be taken by the Cabinet on 29 October 2012

Monday, 15 October 2012

Hampshire is set to be at the forefront of energy research in the UK by taking part in an innovative project that uses fuel-producing algae to power a new type of energy plant.

Hampshire County Council is taking part in the launch at the Kent Science Park in Sittingbourne on 19 October of 'Ecotec 21', an Anglo-French consortium set up to study Combined Heat and Power (CHP) technology. The launch will announce collaboration on CHP development, bringing together UK and French universities, research institutions, government-funded organisations, energy and facility managers, designers and architects.

Algae reduces heating costs

Combined Heat and Power technology captures the by-product heat created by power plants and uses it for heating or hot water. Ecotec 21, co-funded by 'INTERREG IV A' under the European Cross-Border Cooperation Programme and 50% match funded by Hampshire County Council, is a new project that will investigate the potential for CHP to reduce heating costs in buildings.

The project will look at three experimental biomass power plants, one of which will be built by The University of Greenwich. The Greenwich plant will investigate how glycerol can be used in a CHP engine and will eventually provide some of the heating for the university campus. Some algae produce glycerol as a protective by-product when they are kept in very salty water. The glycerol is then harvested for use in the CHP engine. Glycerol has many advantages over other biomass materials as it is water-soluble, bio-degradable, non-odorous, non-volatile, non-toxic and produces virtually no combustion particulates.

In-house know-how

Councillor Mel Kendal, Executive Member for Environment and Transport said:

"Because they capture the waste heat that normally goes into the atmosphere, CHP plants can reach efficiencies of over 80% compared with about 50% efficiency for conventional gas turbines or even less for coal-fired plants. This is an exciting chance to help Hampshire reduce its carbon footprint.

"With this 'INTERREG IV A' funding, we can create our own in-house CHP technical 'know-how' which will benefit Hampshire's residents and enable us to investigate other energy-efficient processes."

• INTERREG IV A website

Monday, 01 October 2012

Legal powers used to protect residents against serious crime such as scams, rogue traders, the sale of alcohol and cigarettes to minors, and fake goods are set to come under review as part of annual checks by Hampshire County Council.

Every year the Government requires councils to review how they use the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) and at his Decision Day meeting on 5 October, County Council Leader, Councillor Ken Thornber will verify Hampshire's policy.

In addition, authorisation will be sought for Trading Standards officers to be able to appear in court on behalf of Hampshire County Council in connection with legal proceedings. From November this year the use of these surveillance powers will have to be approved by a Magistrate.

The County Council already operates a strict policy that ensures that only authorised surveillance takes place in accordance with the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act.. Authorisations under RIPA almost exclusively relate to work carried out by officers of the Council's Trading Standards Service.

Trading Standards use the powers available to them for the prevention and detection of crime and when the information they need is essential in gathering evidence of offences which are detrimental to consumers and Hampshire businesses. The majority of these cases relate to the sale of fake and counterfeit goods that infringe trade mark legislation and in response to consumer complaints. Such sales are made from places like open air markets, car boot sales and over the internet. Before large seizures can go ahead, officers need to make undercover enquiries to find out how the businesses are operating and where the fakes are being stored. In some other cases, RIPA has also been used by Trading Standards Animal Health officers to monitor adherence to court orders that relate to convictions for animal cruelty charges.

The most recent regular external inspections by the Chief Surveillance Commissioner and the Interception of Communication Commissioner, which took place at the end of last year, commended the County Council's arrangements and control measures. The inspectors noted how the County Council demonstrated a desire to use the powers sparingly, yet to good effect for residents. In addition, all acquisition of communication data was stated as being lawful and for the proper purpose.

Councillor Thornber said:

"Hampshire County Council is committed to putting local people first and will use every possible measure to catch the rogue traders, doorstep criminals and scam artists who cheat the taxpayer or prey on elderly or vulnerable residents.

"Our Trading Standards Officers welcome this extra control on the Council's already careful approach to the use of RIPA powers."

• Hampshire Trading Standards