Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director Net Zero Exeter & City Management.

Agreed:

RECOMMENDED that Council:-

(1)   approve the Food Law and Health and Safety Service Plan 2022/23; and

(2)   authorise the Service Lead – Environmental Health and Community Safety to change the plan in the light of national guidance and/or to meet operational needs.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

The Executive received the report which sought approval to adopt the Food Law and Health and Safety Service Plan 2022-23, which set out the Council’s regulatory function in respect of food safety and health and safety over the forthcoming year. The Food Law Enforcement Plan highlighted how the Council would meet its regulatory obligations in respect of food safety and the Health and Safety Services Plan demonstrated the arrangements for enforcing health and safety.

Members noted that the Environmental Health team had been disrupted during the Pandemic, and had been assisting on the national track and trace system, assessing Covid compliance for businesses and there had been periods where businesses were closed and food inspections could not take place.

Particular reference was made to the focus on the national framework for recovery by the Food Standards Agency, which Exeter was in a very good position. There were 150 more food businesses in operation now, than before the Pandemic, which further highlighted the impact of resources on a small team.

The Service Lead - Environmental Health & Community Safety, in responding to a Members’ question explained that any changes to the food hygiene legislation would require a change to the Council’s constitution and a report would be presented to the Executive for Council approval accordingly.

RECOMMENDED that Council:-

(1)   approve the Food Law and Health and Safety Service Plan 2022/23; and

(2)   authorise the Service Lead – Environmental Health and Community Safety to change the plan in the light of national guidance and/or to meet operational needs.