A stronger voice for Warwickshire consumers

Consumers are to be given a stronger voice in Warwickshire thanks to a new partnership led by Warwickshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service and Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureaux.

The new Warwickshire Consumer Empowerment Partnership (WCEP) is one of 18 nationally funded pilots and will be launched throughout the county this Autumn.

The aim of the partnership is to develop an integrated consumer advice, education, protection, empowerment and advocacy body.

The WCEP will play a key role in ensuring that consumers are informed and empowered, enabling them to better understand and enforce their consumer rights, avoid rogue traders and play an active part in reporting and tackling bad practice.

Warwickshire County Councillor Richard Hobbs, Portfolio Holder for Community Protection said: "This new partnership provides a great opportunity for all organisations that have an interest in supporting and educating consumers to work together."

"Not only will consumers be better protected, but the new partnership will also give Warwickshire consumers a voice, advocating for them and representing their interests locally to policy makers."

WCEP Steering Group Chair, David Gooding, District Manager, Bedworth Rugby & Nuneaton Citizens Advice Bureau. added: "By working together we can help local people become confident consumers who are aware of their rights, where to access advice and information, what to do if something goes wrong, secure best deals and recognise and avoid scams and rogue traders.''

Warwickshire's Consumer Empowerment Partnership will be involved in range of activities to inform, educate and support consumers. Campaigns will promote consumer rights, consumer and financial literacy education programmes will be offered and local forums, meeting and events organised.

WCEP is being co-ordinated by a Steering Group consisting of Warwickshire Trading Standards Service and the Warwickshire Citizens Advice Bureaux.

The steering group Chair is David Gooding, District Manager, Bedworth Rugby & Nuneaton Citizens Advice Bureaux.

The steering group will link into Local Consumer Empowerment Partnership stakeholder groups being established in each District/Borough in the County during September and October.

News article courtesy of Warwickshire County Council.