Subject: Official Feed and Food Controls Service Plan 1April 2024 to 31 March 2025

Date of meeting: 12 March 2024

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

For general release

1. Purpose of the report and policy context

1.1 To approve the Official Feed and Food Controls Service Plan 2024/25

2. Recommendations

2.1 That Committee agrees the Official Feed and Food Controls Service Plan for 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 set out in the appendix to this report.

3. Context and background information

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 provides the basis on which local authorities are monitored and audited by the Food Standards Agency.

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

4. Analysis and consideration of 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 Plan 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 as set out in the appendix of this report.

7. Financial implications

7.1 The resources allocated to these functions are set out in Appendix A. All expenditure for these functions will be met from the within existing revenue budget resources.

Name of finance officer consulted: Mike Bentley Date consulted :20/02/2024.

8. Legal implications

8.1 The Food Standards Agency places a requirement on local authorities to develop and submit a service plan. Local authorities are then audited and assessed by the Food Standards Agency on the basis of their food law enforcement service as provided for in their Service Plans. As the Committee with delegated authority for exercising the Council’s powers in relation to food safety, this Committee is the appropriate body for reviewing and approving this service plan.

Name of lawyer consulted: Victoria Simpson Date consulted 19.2.24

9. Equalities implications

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. Sustainability implications

10.1 The plan promotes healthy, safer, and secure environments for our community and visitors through the regulation of food businesses.

11. Other Implications

11.1 The Plan is seen as key to protecting public health within 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

1. Appendices

1. Appendix A Draft Official Feed and Food Controls Service Plan 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025