Hampshire County Council

Executive Member for Policy and Resources Item *

16 October 2003

Food Service Plan

Report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

1

Summary

1.1

The following decision is sought:

That approval be given to the updated Food Service Plan attached at Appendix 1.

2

Reason(s)

2.1

To satisfy a statutory requirement of the Food Standards Agency. All Food Authorities are required to produce a Food Service Plan specifying its food law enforcement activities. These plans should have member approval to ensure local transparency and accountability. Powers to enable the Agency to audit local authorities are contained in the Food Standards Act 1999.

3

Other options considered and rejected

3.1

None.-

4

Conflicts of interest declared by the decision-maker or a member or officer consulted

4.1

Not applicable

5

Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

5.1

Not applicable

6

Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent

6.1

Not applicable

Approved by:

..........................

Date of decision:

.........................

Councillor T K Thornber

Hampshire County Council

Policy and Resources Policy Review Committee Item

2 October 2003

Executive Member, Policy & Resources

16 October 2003

Food Service Plan

Report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

1

Introduction

1.1

Following the Policy Review Committee's involvement in the Best Value Review for Regulatory Services, the Leader requested that the Policy and Resources PRC consider a number of issues relating to Regulatory Services including the Food Service Plan attached at Appendix 1. The original policy was agreed by the former Business Sub-Committee on 9 April 2001. The Food Plan was one of the areas reviewed by the Audit Commission during the County Council's CPA. Our performance will probably feature in any future refreshment.

2

Background

2.1

Since 1^st April 2001, all Food Authorities have been required to produce a Food Service Plan specifying its food law enforcement activities. The format of the plan is specified in a Food Standards Agency Framework Agreement on Local Authority Food Law Enforcement. The framework specifies that these plans should have member approval to ensure local transparency and accountability. Powers to enable the Agency to audit local authorities are contained in the Food Standards Act 1999

2.2

The original Food Service Plan was approved by members of the former Business Sub-Committee at a meeting held on 9 April 2001.

2.3

The Food Standards Agency carried out a three day audit of Hampshire County Council's Food Standards function between the 4^th and 6^th September 2001. The auditors' report was generally positive in tone. The sampling programme run in conjunction with the Scientific Service was praised. The inspection programme for high risk premises was also working well. The key challenge was to meet the tough target of inspecting 50% of medium risk food premises, which equates to over 2000 visits per annum.

2.3

The Food Service Plan has now been updated to incorporate new policies and systems developed to implement the Best Value improvement plan.

3.

Key changes to the Food Service Plan

3.1

The Plan incorporates Hampshire County Council's new Corporate Aims and the new Regulatory Services Vision. The key link is now to Aim 4 (Building Strong & Safe Communities) rather than old Aim 1. In particular the Food Service Plan supports Aim 4 via the promotion of good public health and by reducing crime relating to food standards.

3.2

To reflect the Best Value improvement plan, the food sampling policy plan has been changed. New test suites have been devised that will result in more focussed testing, quicker sample turnaround and efficiency savings of around 10% (£30,000). These savings will finance a new Trading Standards Officer post to focus on preventing the sale of alcohol to minors.

3.3

The Best Value review also addressed inspection levels. It was decided to continue to inspect all high risk food premises and to target 50% of medium risk premises each year.

3.4

To support the "prevention rather than cure" policy in Regulatory Services, it was decided to increase the time allocation for food safety promotion work. This will include a campaign on healthy eating.

3.5

The time allocated to follow up on unsatisfactory food samples was also increased. This was because the dedicated team of food specialists created when Regulatory Services became functional in October 2001, have carried out much more focussed and informed sampling. This has resulted in a larger number of non-compliant premises being targetted.

3.6

To improve transparency, the new plan incorporates a detailed food sampling plan, identifying key projects and themes for the year. This was generated via ideas from staff

4

Conclusion

4.1

The updated Food Service Plan complies fully with the Food Standards Agency's Framework Agreement on Local Authority Food Law Enforcement. It also incorporates improvements identified during the Best Value Review, including £30,000 in efficiency savings. The overall result is less time spent on inspection, now that new systems have bedded in and more time spent on food safety promotion and investigation of unsatisfactory food samples. This supports the policies of promoting good public health and reducing crime relating to food standards.

Recommendation(s)

That the updated Food Service Plan at Appendix 1 be approved.