Issue - meetings

Members considered the Food, Health and Safety Work Plan 2023/24 Mid Year Update. It was highlighted that at its meeting in June 2023, the Regulatory Committee resolved that an update on the performance against the Food Standards Agency inspection regime be submitted to the Committee in December 2023, so the Committee was assured of what progress had been made. The original committee paper was provided as a background paper.

It was explained that as of the end of September 2023, 111 planned inspections had been undertaken, totalling 49% of the overall 228. In addition, a further 27 unplanned inspections had been launched, resulting in a total of 138 inspections overall. Members heard a further update, in that this figure had since increased, with 67% of the overall planned inspections having been conducted by the end of November 2023. The Officer also updated Members on staffing changes within the team, with another experienced inspector due to start in February 2024.

Members learned of the risk in 2024/25, with between 418 and 437 inspections due. These figures were based on the routine planned inspections, 25 to 30% of additional unplanned inspections and the estimated shortfall from 2023/24. This was an increase from 2023/24 and would present a significant challenge in terms of the council's ability to achieve those levels within the current staff resources. Additional temporary resources would be required, with recruitment-focussed work due to be undertaken. 

Members of the Committee were invited to comment, and debate ensued. Members enquired as to current staffing practice and the inspectors' operational work. It was noted that arrangements to use staff from nearby local authorities were possible, and coastal-based authorities had contracts for high-traffic points of the year. Members learned the challenge was to meet 90% of the target visits, and there was a significant challenge in the recruitment from a small pool of qualified individuals.

There was discussion regarding the use of agency staff, with the importance of business continuity emphasised. Members heard that it was common for Local Authorities to use agency staff in this way to maintain service provision and whilst there was a limited pool of suitable workers, there had been no issue in securing agency staff when needed. In response to a question about the certification needed for employees of premises under inspection, Members learned the checks formed part of the inspector's work.

Having been proposed and seconded, upon taking the vote, it was unanimously

            RESOLVED that: -

a)    the report, as requested by Committee at their meeting on 15 June 2023 to update on current progress against the food, health and safety work plan 2023/24 be received; and

b)    further updates to the Chair and Vice Chair of Committee at Chairs Brief for the remainder of 23/24 be agreed.