Highland Council leads nationwide challenge on Internet Delivery Charges
15th August 2013
The Highland Council’s Trading Standards is at the leading edge of challenging companies on Internet Delivery Charges, members of the Council’s Transport, Environmental and Community Services were today informed.
Councillor Graham Phillips, Chairman of the Council’s TEC Services Committee has welcomed a report to members by Highland Trading Standards on a project about Internet Delivery Charges, he said:
“The work that our Trading Standards Team has done over the past year and half is at the cutting edge of Internet retail investigation and was recently highly revered at Cosla. It has had a significant influence on our partners both at Scottish Government and Consumer Futures. The benefit to consumers has been very significant and in some case has seen the removal of surcharges on delivery charges.”
Members noted the completion of the Internet Delivery Charges project which included extensive discussions with a wide range of businesses from large multi-nationals to small micro-businesses. In addition to bringing these businesses into compliance with the law, the investigations undertaken has also provided an invaluable insight into the issues, including the behaviour of some carriers, which has helped to inform the discussions now going on at a national level.
Members also agreed that Highland Trading Standards Officers will:
· lead a consortium of North of Scotland local authorities towards a conclusion of the enforcement activity generated from Citizens Advice Scotland data;
· participate in the formation of a national Code of Conduct for internet delivery charges;
· pursue the consideration of establishing a viable Code of Conduct based approval scheme; and
· engage with a range of partners to publicise and promote fair delivery charges to Highland buyers.
Leader of The Highland Council, Councillor Drew Hendry added: “Internet delivery charges remain a significant issue for the people of the Highlands and Islands. I am delighted that the work of Highland Trading Standards is continuing to challenge companies. Their efforts have made a difference with a number of businesses being shown up for their extra charges. I would urge Highland and our partners to keep up the good work, apply more pressure as it is making a difference.”
Related Businesses
Related Articles
The first Highland-wide virtual jobs fair held last month has proved to be a hit with participants and businesses. The week-long virtual event, which was delivered by the Local Employability Partnership for the West - The Highland Council, Skills Development Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Department for Work and Pensions, Developing the Young Workforce and UHI North West and Hebrides was timed to coincide with Scottish Careers Week 2024.
The Service Centre will close at 5pm on Tuesday 24 December, re-opening on Friday 27 December (opening times 8am to 5pm). It will be closed on 1 and 2 January and open 8am to 5pm from Friday 3 January 2025.
Members have considered an update on the Council's medium term financial plan and the impact of the UK and Scottish Governments’ budgets on the coming year’s funding settlement. The position is currently looking more positive than initially planned for, however more detail needs to be worked through.
In November, The Highland Council launched a public statutory consultation to seek views on the proposed introduction of a Visitor Levy scheme across the Highlands. The Council has announced an extension to this consultation period, which will now give businesses, visitors and communities until 31 March 2025, an additional seven weeks, to take part and have their say.
In the light of the financial forecast for 2025-26, Highland Council is inviting you to tell us more in the budget preparation for the coming financial year. The budget engagement builds on extensive budget participation which took place in the winter of 2023-24.
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.
Every year Highland Council invites all tenants to have their say on the rent levels for the following year. The Council encourages everyone that lives in a council house to take this chance to have their say.
Communities and Place Committee met yesterday (Wednesday 27 November 2024) and Members agreed the Highland Local Child Poverty Action Report which includes actions for delivery in 2024/25. Reducing child poverty is a priority for the Council and its partners.
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.
Members of the Highland Council's Community and Place Committee have given their support to an action plan focusing on the operating of public conveniences over the next 10 years. Whilst not a statutory function, the Council is the main provider of public conveniences located throughout Highland, operating 74 sites.
