City Environment, South Downs & The Sea Committee
Agenda Item 28
Subject: Official Feed and Food Controls Service Plan 2023/24 & Mid Year Report 1 April to 30 September 2023
Date of meeting: 14 November 2023
Report of: Executive Director of Housing, Neighbourhoods & Communities
Contact Officer: Name: David Currie
Tel: 07596886568
Email:David.currie@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Ward(s) affected: All
1.1 To consider and note the contents of the Official Feed and Food Controls Service Plan 23/24, Mid Year Report.
2.1 That the committee notes the contents of the Official Feed and Food Controls Service Plan, Mid Year Report set out in the appendix to this report.
3.1 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 is 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 Official Feed and Food Controls Service Plan 2023/24 was approved at Committee on 14 March 2023 and it was requested that a progress report would be presented at Committee in the autumn of 2023.
3.3 The Food Standards Agency have assessed the service plan regarding the food hygiene function and fully support the innovative approaches being taken. They have also expressed concern in relation to available resources within the food standards function.
3.4 Successful recruitment and retention of staff is key to the success of service delivery.
4.1 The plan and activities detailed within it are legally required to comply with the Food Law Code of Practice.
5.1 The planning process is governed by the national Food Safety Framework Agreement.
6.1 That the committee notes the contents of the Official Feed and Food Controls Service Plan 23/24, Mid Year Report set out in the appendix to this report.
7.1 The resources allocated to these functions are set out in the attached Appendix. All expenditure for these functions will be met from within existing revenue budget resources.
Name of finance officer consulted: Michael Bentley
Date consulted (20.10.23)
8.1 The Food Standards Agency places a requirement on local authorities to develop and submit a service plan. Local authorities are audited and assessed by the Food Standards Agency on the basis of their food law enforcement service as provided for in their Service Plans. The Food Safety Act 1990 (Code of Practice) places a requirement on local authorities to operate an inspection rating scheme, which determines frequency of intervention of food premises. The Official Feed and Food Controls Service Plan 2023/24 identifies the planned number of interventions for that period.
Name of lawyer consulted: Elizabeth Culbert Date consulted (18.10.23)
9.1 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.
10.1 The plan promotes healthy, safer, and secure environments for our community and visitors through the regulation of food businesses.
Public health implications:
11.1 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
Official Feed and Food Controls Service Plan 2023/24 Mid Year Report.
The Official Feed and Food Controls Service Plan 2023/24