Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director Net Zero and City Management.

Agreed:

RECOMMENDED that Council:-

(1)  approve the Food Law and Health and Safety Service Plan 2023/24; and

(2)  grant delegated authority to the Service Lead – Environmental Health and Community Safety to change the plan if necessary 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 for the adoption of the statutory Food Law and Health and Safety Service Plan 2023-24, which set out the Council’s regulatory function in respect of food safety and health and safety over the forthcoming year.

Members were advised that there had been 183 new food business registrations with the Council and that the Council had a 99% compliance level with food hygiene law, which was higher than the previous year and showed the dedicated engagement of officers with food business operators in encouraging compliance. The report also highlighted the positive work in relation to health and safety and the good work undertaken in building businesses up following the Covid Pandemic and re-building public confidence.

Particular reference was made to the successful development of the apprenticeships for Food Law and Health and Safety Service and building future Environmental Health Officer roles

Councillor Moore, as an opposition group leader, spoke on this item and enquired if the team would have sufficient resources to deliver the plan as expected?

During the discussion the following points were made:-

·         The inspections had been noted as being positive engagements between the food business operators and officers;

·         a 99% food hygiene compliance reflected how well the team was working;

·         were the previous years compliance score known; and

·         the development of the apprenticeship scheme was welcomed.

In response to questions and points from Members, the Service Lead – Environmental Health and Community Safety advised that:-

·         the team had remained unchanged for a number of years and had adequate resources to discharge its statutory functions for food safety and health and safety; and

·         the previous food hygiene compliance rating was between 97-98% for the previous year, but the conformed compliance rating would be confirmed.

RECOMMENDED that Council:-

(1)  approve the Food Law and Health and Safety Service Plan 2023/24; and

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