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V25-885 : FOOD SAFETY ENFORCEMENT - CHANGES AND FUNDING

The Director of Housing and Environmental Services reported that Central Government had recently issued instructions to local authorities as a result of the Pennington Report on the Scottish Food Poisoning Outbreak last winter. Members had already given their support to the changes needed in food safety enforcement and the report detailed the action necessary to comply with Government's requirements.

Codes of Practice made under the Food Safety Act 1990 had been revised and these revisions would mean an increased workload for the Food and Safety Section. Higher risk food premises would be inspected more often and inspection visits would take longer. In addition, extra IT provision was required so that Food Hazard Warnings could be more easily communicated. Extra revisits would also be necessary to aid small businesses' compliance with new food safety control measures.

Some funding had been made available from Central funds and it had been clearly stated that these funds were to be used for the extra inspection visits required.

RESOLVED

1. That any extra funding from Central Government be considered in the context of the forward budget in relation to the increased inspection of higher risk food premises, as per Department of Health Circular CEHO/97/18.

2. That the Council comply with the requirements of Central Government relating to the enforcement of food safety in higher risk food premises.

3. That the Director of Housing & Environmental Services be authorised to purchase the necessary IT provisions to meet the requirements of Central Government in relation to food hazard warning communications, at a cost of approximately £2000, to be met from within the current budget.

Volume 25 Minute 885

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