To consider a report setting out the Commercial Team Service Plan, which incorporates the statutory service plans for Food Safety and the Councils Under Age Sales Policy for Tobacco Products and other age restricted goods.

The Council considered the submitted report which included the Commercial Team Service Plan, the Food Safety Service Plan and the Policy on the Protection of Children in relation to Tobacco Sales and Other Age Restricted Goods.

It was proposed by Councillor Excell and seconded by Councillor Hytche:

(i)         that the Statutory Food Safety Service Plan as set out in Appendix 1A   of the submitted report be approved;

(ii)        that the Policy on the Protection of Children in relation to Tobacco Sales and Other Age Restricted Goods as set out in submitted report Appendix 1C of the submitted report be approved;  and

(iii)       that the overall work plan of the Commercial Team for 2014/15 be noted.

On being put to the vote, the motion was declared carried (unanimous).

To consider the Community Safety Commercial Team Service Plan for 2014/2015 and to give any views to the Council.

The Board considered a report which set out the Commercial Team Service Plan incorporating the Food Safety Service Plan.  The Commercial Team Service Plan set out the current work plan of the Team which includes the functions of Food Safety, Trading Standards, Licensing, Health and Safety and Emergency Planning.

The Board noted that the Business Unit continues to prioritise its workload based on risk and will always target first those businesses, activities, emergencies and disease outbreaks considered to be of the highest risk.  Whilst its resilience to continue to deliver its full range of statutory duties and meet customer expectations, within the resources allocated, remains under significant strain, the Board was pleased to note that significant improvements had been made from 12 months ago.  The target of inspecting 50% of Category C food premises had been exceeded (and was currently at 70%) and it was hoped that 100% of those premises would be inspected this year, resources and workloads allowing.

The Board asked that their thanks be passed on to the Commercial Services Team.