Issue - meetings

Report of Councillor C Cupit, Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services.

Cabinet considered proposals to develop new Environmental Health Support Services for local businesses. Members were reminded that the Council currently uses its powers under the Local Government Act 2003 to provide expert advice and business consultancy for pest control services and to set charges to meet the cost of providing them.

The report to Cabinet proposed that similar advice and consultancy and services should now be provided for local as restaurants and takeaways to help them carry out the necessary preparation to apply for their Food Hygiene Ratings. The services would also be offered to Food Preparation Businesses. These currently have to look to national organisations for advice and consultancy services as companies in the District cannot currently provide these services for them.

Members discussed the proposals, how the services would be delivered and the suggested charges for them. Cabinet felt that the new services would benefit local business and the economy of District as a whole and that the proposals should be supported.

RESOLVED –

(1)      That Cabinet approved the scheme of charges detailed in the report.

(2)      That the same charges be reviewed periodically in line with service fees and charges review processes.

(3)      That the Joint Assistant Director, Environmental Health Services arrange for commercial pest control treatments to be made available as soon as possible after any vacancies in the pest control team has been filled, and develop further pest control services as is commercially viable.

REASONS FOR DECISION – These proposals (and new commercial services which will complement them) will enable the service to support local business and provide local choice from a trusted provider. Income generated can be reinvested in developing the service to ensure resilience in delivery of critical and statutory services.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED – Remaining with a minimal business support offer limits the ability of the service to develop the performance of the food sector, and means businesses’ only recourse is to private providers outside of the district.