A CRACKDOWN on rogue traders and counterfeit goods saved consumers in York £347,247 last year.

The success of City of York Council’s trading standards team was revealed in a report on how key council services in the city are performing and whether residents are happy with them.

Reports on the activities and customer satisfaction levels for nine council areas during 2011/12 have listed success stories and also areas where improvements are needed.

The annual assessments include an overview of the trading standards team – officers seized 316 items with a street value of £7,297 from illegal traders; 201 businesses were visited or had enforcement action taken against them for breaching rules.

The food safety and standards section received 462 complaints and carried out 743 inspections, with five businesses cautioned for selling under-strength alcohol.

The report said there were significant problems with under-strength spirits and more examples of counterfeit drinks, particularly vodka.

Marriage services at approved venues, run by the council such as York Register Office, hit an all-time high of 350 in 2011/12, while more civil funerals were held than ever before – 125.

More than 3,500 babies and 2,800 deaths were registered and 850 civil marriage and partnership ceremonies conducted.

The animal health team received 149 complaints about dangerous dogs and obtained four court orders against owners, and were praised by the Dogs Trust for their work. However, the reports also said customer satisfaction in this area was still too low and residents wanted more patrols and tougher action on dog-fouling.

Satisfaction levels for the consumer advice service fell from 94 per cent in 2010/11 to 88.9 per cent, despite this area recovering almost £28,000 for residents seeking help. The combined cost of this area and the animal health, environmental protection, food safety, health and safety, registration and trading standards services was £2.18 million, or £10.06 per resident, while bereavement and licensing services brought in a combined £1.53 million for the council.

“Thousands of consumers and residents have benefited from the dedicated work these services deliver every day,” said Coun Dafydd Williams, cabinet member for crime and stronger communities.

“However, we’re not complacent and we know improvements always need to be made.”