Agenda and draft minutes

Up to 15 minutes are allowed for public participation.  Participants are restricted to 3 minutes each.

There was no public participation.

Members may make declarations of Interest at this point or may make them at any point in the meeting

There were no declarations of interest at this juncture.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 5 June 2025.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Regulatory Committee held on Thursday 5 June 2025 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Committee considered the report of the Housing and Environmental Enforcement Manager outlining an updated contaminated land strategy and seeking approval of the strategy.

A Member highlighted that there were a number of airfields in the district and asked if the Ministry of Defence kept the council advised of any aircraft, fuel supplies and underground pipes that may be on the sites. In response it was acknowledged that this was an issue and individual sites would need full investigation. If development was planned on any site then the Planning Department would look at any issues. Clarification was given that they would not necessarily be dealt with as contaminated land and it was believed that all land that might be registered as contaminated was known to officers.

A query was raised regarding the regeneration of brown field sites and whether applicants were given recommendations on steps to bring it back in to use. It was explained that from a planning perspective, when that site came in for development, planning would receive all the relevant information, and as part of the application any remediation work would be dealt with through the  planning process and conditions.

On being put to the vote it was unanimously

RESOLVED that the Contaminated Land Strategy Review 2025 – 2030 as attached at appendix 1 to the report be approved.

A report providing the Committee with a mid-year update on food hygiene inspections was received and considered.

It was reported that after the previous update additional resources were in place and the situation was more positive with 60% of planned inspections having been undertaken. There was a significant number of other activities going on as well including prosecutions and written warnings.

A Member referred to section 4.2 of the report and the lack of food sampling that had been undertaken. In response it was explained that schedules were set by the Food Standards Agency in respect of sampling. However it may also arise following a complaint. This would be picked up in this period but there had been additional health and safety interventions coming through which meant that food inspections came first, then complaint checking, and finally food sampling. 

A Councillor highlighted inspections at The Lincolnshire Show and the challenges of the hot weather for vendors in regard to adequate refrigeration and lack of generator strength. In response it was indicated that a pragmatic approach had been taken and whilst there had been no major concerns, traders had been given advice. There had been no mandated closures or stock disposed of. The team had been on site when stands were being set up and there had been effective communication with traders.

A question was raised regarding the inspection of mobile traders at ‘pop up’ events and whether this was undertaken by the council. It was clarified that the council concentrated on larger events where there were more traders. Any business registered with West Lindsey would be inspected but often vendors were registered elsewhere. Any breaches could be dealt with, but not scheduled inspections. The registering authority would be advised of any concerns raised. It was acknowledged that the inspection of mobile traders could be difficult as they often operated out of hours but officers worked in the evenings to cover this. It was also necessary to inspect businesses operating from home.

A Member highlighted the professionalism of officers and indicated that a number of verbal warnings were given at the Lincolnshire Show but not recorded. In response it was indicated that a judgement call was made by officers at the time and an amicable solution was found where possible. Any serious contraventions were recorded and written warnings issued as required.

Members were advised that the council was meeting its requirements and highlighted that 98% of premises had a 3* rating or above and officers would concentrate on the 2% not meeting standards.

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The Committee welcomed the positive report and expressed support for the resources that had been allocated to meet targets. In response it was acknowledged that having a full-time officer had made a significant difference and meant there was greater resilience within the team and a more proactive approach could be taken.

A Member asked if any premises closures were reported to Members. It was clarified that such decisions were taken by officers under delegated powers and would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.