Agenda item

(a)  That the Service Plan in relation to Food Safety be approved.

(b)  That the Service Plans in relation to Health & Safety and Trading Standards be approved.

The Lead Member for Regulatory Services introduced a report that sought approval for the Health & Safety and Trading Standards Services Plans and agreement to recommend approval of the statutory Food Service Plan to Council on 23^rd July 2019.

The plans set out the key activities and targets for the next year for these and the Cabinet received a comprehensive presentation that detailed the work being undertaken.  The Food Safety, Health & Safety and Trading Standards teams worked to ensure national priorities and standards were addressed and to meet the needs of the local community.  Key points raised during the presentation are summarised as follows:

·  Health & Safety – There had been a reduction in accident notifications with 41 investigated during the year, a decrease of 31%.  The plans included proactive work to raise awareness of accident report.  6 Improvement notices and 4 Prohibition notices had been served.  Plans for the next year included projects on welfare conditions in nail bars and supporting compliance amongst skin piercers and tattooists.

·  Food Safety – 100% of high and medium risk food inspections had been carried out resulting in 350 written warnings, 17 Improvement Notices, 1 prosecution, 1 emergency closure and 2 voluntary closures.  Future plans included preparing for Brexit and changed food safety regulations.

·  Trading Standards – the team had dealt with over 2,500 enquiries and achievements included 3 criminal investigations into underage sales and 124 consignments of unsafe goods being stopped from entering the UK.  The Trading Standards Manager had been recognised with the Chief Constable’s award.

The impact of Brexit was amongst the issue discussed and assurance was given that the implications were being monitored and assessed so that appropriate plans could be put in place.  The Cabinet thanked to team for the excellent and important work they did to protect vulnerable residents and wider community and the plans were approved.  The statutory food safety plan would be recommended to Council for approval.

Resolved –  That the Service Plans in relation to Health & Safety and Trading Standards be approved.

Recommended –  That the Service Plan in relation to Food Safety be approved.