Issue - meetings

The Housing and Enforcement Manager introduced the final report of the evening, the purpose of which was to seek approval for the Food, Health and Safety Work Plan 20/21. He explained that the Council was required to produce and approve a work plan that was in line with the Food Standards Agency Framework Agreement and the Statement of Commitment agreed nationally between Local Authority Representatives and the Health and Safety Executive. The plan covered all work undertaken within the Housing and Environmental Enforcement work area relating to Food and Health and Safety. The purpose of the work plan was to set out how the Council delivered its official controls and fulfils its duties under food, health and safety, public health and drinking water legislation.

It was explained to Members that, as a result of the global pandemic, the Food Standards Agency had suspended all routine food safety inspections but the Enforcement Team still reserved the right to inspect a premises should there be any complaint received. He also added that several of the inspectors were involved in frontline work relating to covid-19. A Member of Committee enquired whether there had been any reports of food places breaking the law and it was confirmed that there had been reports of places operating outside of the lockdown regulations but there had been no complaints about food places.

Members of the Committee thanked the Manager and his team for their work and it was unanimously

            RESOLVED that

a)    the progress made within the Food and Health and Safety work area during 2019/2020 be noted; and

b)    the Work Plan for 2020/21 be approved.