Ask the Regulator Podcasts
We want to make information and advice on all regulatory matters as easy as possible to access, which is why we've launched our new Podcast service
Our aim is to hold dialogues and discussions between regulators, businesses and members of the public on matters concerning Environmental Health, Trading Standards and Licensing.
You can listen to all of the episodes by clicking on the relevant link below.
Our Podcasts are produced by the good people at Bro Radio and are a great way of getting insights on things that matter to businesses across Bridgend, Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan - from allergens and food hygiene to health, safety and consumer protection.
Bro Radio is the local Community Radio station focused on the Vale of Glamorgan. It promotes a feeling of social identity and community pride amongst the urban, rural and coastal communities which exist within the county. We are looking forward to collaborting with Bro Radio on these Podcasts to hopefully reach a wide audience keen to learn about regulatory matters.
We are also excited to announce that our Ask the Regulator Podcasts are available to listen to on Spotify. Click here to listen to all episodes.
Series 4
Episode 4 - What a pest! (February 2025)
Setting up your food business premises | Food Standards Agency – Advice, including about pests, for setting up your food business premises
Safer food better business caterers pest control – Pest pages from Safer Food Better Business
Safer food, better business (SFBB) | Food Standards Agency – Safer Food Better Business pack
SRS Pest Control - further advice and information on our pages
For the final episode of 2024, Jemma discusses the importance of buying safe cosmetic products with Natalie Burrows, a Trading Standards Officer with Shared Regulatory Services. Natalie shares her advice for businesses on how to comply with the law, her top tips for consumers and explains how Trading Standards work helps to protect us all from unsafe products.
Business guidance
Consumer guidance
Regulatory round-up
In this episode, Jemma talks to Louise Baxter-Scott, Head of the National Trading Standards Scams Team about the latest developments in scams and frauds that we all need to be aware of.
An overview of the Automated Push Payments protections discussed on the episode
Reporting scams in Wales:
Contact your bank or card provider immediately.
Report – contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
Advice – contact Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 or 0808 223 1144 for a Welsh speaking advisor.
Series 4 is ‘Starting with a bang’ as we focus on fireworks in our first episode. Jemma is joined by Kate Palmer from Shared Regulatory Services and Graeme Knox from the London Borough of Havering, to discuss the awful consequences of the illegal sale of fireworks.
They provide their advice and top tips on how to comply with the law and the importance of regulators, businesses and the community, all working together to keep everyone safe.
Business Advice and support:
Business Companion guidance:
Health and Safety Executive resources:
Fireworks: the law - GOV.UK
British Fireworks Association UK advice:
Consumer Advice and support:
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents guidance: Firework safety - RoSPA
Episode 1 quiz answers:
- The categories of fireworks can be found in the podcast episode, so why not listen back to Kate’s explanation. Alternatively, you can find a summary of the firework classifications can be found in the Business Companion guidance here: Fireworks: storage and supply | Business Companion
- For the purchase of most fireworks, you have to be a minimum of 18 years old to purchase them.
- For party poppers, the minimum age for purchase is 16 years old.4. For the purchase of Christmas crackers, a person must be at least 12 years old to purchase them.
How did you get on with the above questions? We hope the episode has helped to improve your knowledge of the laws around fireworks and don’t forget to report any concerns about underage sales to your local Trading Standards Service or any concerns about anti-social behaviour involving firework misuse to the police. You could save someone from serious injury or even save their life.
What’s next on Ask the Regulator?
Our next episode will be ‘Scams, Fraud and all things untoward’ with Louise Baxter-Scott, the Head of the National Trading Standards Scams team. To be sure not to miss it, why not follow ‘Ask the Regulator’ wherever you get your podcasts and you’ll be notified when our next episode goes live.
Cardiff’s student information hub for community living advice. Follow Cardiff Digs on social media:• Instagram / Facebook / X:
Cardiff Gov App
The Cardiff Gov App is a great tool to connect you with council services. You can:
- Check your recycling and waste collections and set up collection reminders
- Apply for a parking permit
- Report a wide range of issues
- And much more!
Apple App Store Google Play
Cardiff Council’s Rubbish and Recycling Services
Check out the Council’s rubbish and recycling information pages to find out how rubbish and recycling is collected where you live. You can discover what containers you need use, how to sort your rubbish and recycling and your collection day. https://www.cardiff.gov.uk/ENG/resident/Rubbish-and-recycling/Pages/default.aspx
To help you explore and travel around Cardiff, visit the Keep Cardiff Moving website to find out about bus, train and taxi services, cycle hire and car share schemes as well as links to walking and cycling routes across the city.
Students can register to vote both at their home address and term time address. It’s quick and easy and can even boost your credit score.
If you rent a property, your landlord is responsible for complying with all legal requirements in including safety standards, licensing and registration requirements. If you have issues have not been resolved by your landlord, you can report these to the Housing Enforcement team. Common issues include:
- Repairs to rented property
- Safety within a rented property
- Safety within Houses in Multiple Occupation
- Harassment from your landlord
- Illegal Eviction
Noise can have an impact your health and wellbeing and others, so it’s important to take steps to manage noise levels so that we can maintain happy and healthy communities.If noise such as loud music, barking dogs, construction noise or alarms is disrupting your daily life, you can report this to us.
Episode 12 - Mandatory Licensing of Special Procedures in Wales
Episode 9 - Trading Standards Wales Week (October 2022)
Epsiode 8 - Buy with Confidence (September 2022)
Episode 7 - Penarth Food Hub project and community food (June 2022)
Episode 6 - Working with businesses: An Introduction (May 2022)
Episode 5 - Health & Nutrition (January 2022)
Episode 4 - Food and Christmas (December 2021)
Episode 3 - National Safeguarding Week (November 2021)
Episode 2 - Halloween (October 2021)
Episode 1 - Ask The Regulator - Allergens (August 2021)
Let us know what you'd like from our Podcasts
We encourage businesses to contact us with any topics you'd like us to cover and any questions you have for upcoming podcast topics. Send us an email, and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.