Subject:		Official Feed and Food Controls Service Delivery/ Recovery Plan 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2023
Date of Meeting:		21 September 2021
Report of:		Executive Director of Housing, Neighbourhoods & Communities
Contact Officer:	Name:	David Currie	Tel:	07968 515438
	Email:	David.Currie@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Ward(s) affected:		All

FOR GENERAL RELEASE

1.         PURPOSE OF REPORT AND POLICY CONTEXT:

1.1       To agree the Official Feed and Food Controls Service Delivery/ Recovery Plan.

2.         RECOMMENDATIONS:

2.1      That the committee agrees the Official Feed and Food Controls Service Delivery/ Recovery Plan for 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2023 set out in the appendix to this report.

3.         BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

3.1      In normal times the Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) Framework Agreement on Local Authority Food Law Enforcement requires the production and publication of a service plan. Every local authority was required to develop an annual food enforcement service plan, which provided the basis on which local authorities are monitored and audited by the Food Standards Agency.

3.2      The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted on the delivery of our Food services and during the early stages of pandemic the FSA obtained permitted deviations from the Food Law Code of Practice to minimise regulatory footfall in businesses and to enable local authorities to divert resources to urgent reactive work and other wider public health actions required locally during the pandemic.

3.3      The FSA have devised a Recovery Plan which commenced on 1 July 2021 to 2023/24. This plan provides a framework for re-starting the delivery system and aims to ensure that resources are targeted where they add greatest value in providing safeguards for public health and consumer protection in relation to food. It also aims to safeguard the credibility of the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme.

3.4      This Councils Official Feed and Food Controls Service Delivery/ Recovery Plan aligns itself with the FSA Recovery Plan.

3.5       To ensure local transparency and accountability, it is a requirement that the Official Feed and Food Controls Food Service/ Recovery Plan is submitted to the relevant member forum for approval.

3.6       The attached plan (Appendix A) is an integral part of the organisation of Regulatory Services.

4. ANALYSIS & CONSIDERATION OF ANY ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS

4.1       The plan and activities detailed within it are legally required to comply with the Food Law Code of Practice.

5. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND CONSULTATION

5.1       The planning process is governed by the national Food Safety Framework Agreement.

6. CONCLUSION

6.1      That the committee agrees the Official Feed and Food Controls Service Delivery/ Recovery Plan 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2023 set out in the appendix to this report.

7. FINANCIAL & OTHER IMPLICATIONS:

Financial Implications:

7.1       The proposals set out in the report will be met from the approved budget resources set out in section 4 of the attached Appendix.

Finance Officer Consulted: Michael Bentley                        Date: 10/08/2021

Legal Implications:

7.2 The proposals set out in the report are in line with the FSA Recovery Plan in place from July 2021. As set out in the report the Council is required to have regard to the Food Law Codes of Practice when performing their statutory food functions.

Lawyer consulted: Elizabeth Culbert                                   Date 08/08/2021

Equalities Implications:

7.3       The service is mindful of the greater assistance food business operators require where their first language is not English. Written information, translation and interpreting services are employed where necessary to assist businesses to comply with regulatory requirements.

Any Other Significant Implications:

Public Health Implications:

7.4       The Plan is seen as key to protecting public health in the City. It is in line with the stated outcome to ‘reduce health inequalities and long-standing public health issues’ as part of the priority of tackling inequalities which states that ‘we will continue with high profile enforcement of food and health and safety rules, maintaining our excellent record of environmental health improvements.’

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

Appendices:

1. Draft Official Feed and Food Controls Service Delivery/Recovery Plan 1October 2021 to 31 March 2023.

Background Documents

None