Agenda and minutes

In accordance with the Council's Code of Conduct, Councillors of the Council are reminded that it is a requirement to declare interests where appropriate.

No disclosures of interests were made.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Licensing Committee held on 11 September 2017.

The minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 11 September 2017 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To consider report PES/258 of the Head of Economic and Environmental Services.

The Committee considered report PES/258 of the Head of Economic and

Environmental Services.  The purpose of the report was toconsider charging foodbusinesses in Crawleyfor visits to rescorefood safety, made under thenational FoodHygiene RatingScheme (FHRS).

The Committee discussed the report in detail, and in response to issues raised the Environmental Health Manger:

·           Confirmed that the intended charge of £145 was subject tothe Council’s CorporateFeesandChargesPolicy, andhad been calculated to ensure that costswere fully recovered.

·           Advised that the proposed charge was based on research and the experience locally by Brighton and Hove City Council as part of a nationalpilot project to chargefor such re-inspections.

·           Emphasised that the adoption of a charging scheme would enable Environmental Health Officers to assist local food businesses to improve much quicker.  The scheme was intended to prevent delays or restrictions to food business operators requesting revisits until the next routine visit, which currently might be up to 24 months in some instances.

·           Indicated that there was sufficient capacity within the service to undertake this work.

·           Commented that feedback received from the Brighton and Hove City Council scheme was positive, with businesses being very supportive.

·           Confirmed that subject to the Committee’s approval of the proposed scheme, the introduction of the scheme would be advertised.

·           Advised that it was not mandatory for businesses to display the food hygiene rating that they received.

With Members seeking and receiving clarification on a number of further issues raised, the Committee indicated its support for the report’s proposals.

RESOLVED

Thatthe introductionofa flat rate chargefor rescoring FHRS visits requested byfood businesses be agreed.

Any urgent item(s) complying with Section 100(B) of the Local Government Act 1972.