A Cornish partnership has won a national award for its achievements in improving business regulation. Cornwall’s Better Business for All (BBFA) programme was recognised for its successful partnership working at the Government’s inaugural BBFA awards. BBFA Cornwall beat finalists from Hertfordshire, Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, and Leicester and Leicestershire to clinch the Partnership Award.

BBFA is a partnership between Cornwall Council’s regulatory services and the business community that aims to provide regulatory advice and guidance to save companies time and money. Designed to boost the Cornwall’s economy, BBFA is being driven by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). The programme has also had regular input from Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, small and large regulated businesses in Cornwall, the Federation of Small Businesses and independent business representatives.

LEP board director Sarah Trethowan said: “Winning this national award is testament to the collaborative approach we are taking to help Cornwall’s businesses save time and money. The success of BBFA Cornwall is the result of genuine collaboration between Cornwall Council, the LEP and the business community. Working together means we can respond to feedback from local businesses and ensure the Council’s regulatory services can make changes to meet their needs.”

Geoff Brown, Cornwall Council’s cabinet member for communities, added: “Congratulations to everyone involved in making this partnership a success. BBFA Cornwall has helped us to initiate a culture change programme to shift our focus from enforcement to business support. It is great that our achievements have been recognised with this national accolade."