Meeting documents

Cabinet
Tuesday, 6 June 2006

CA060606-11

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ITEM CA11

CABINET – 6 JUNE 2006

FOOD LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICE PLAN 2006/07

Report by the Head of Trading Standards & Registration Services

Introduction

  1. The Food Standards Act 1999 requires all local authorities to prepare and publish a Food Law Enforcement Service Plan on an annual basis. Service plans developed under these arrangements will provide the basis on which local authorities will be monitored and audited by the Food Standards Agency.

  2. The Department of Trade and Industry also requires a Service Plan to be prepared in respect of all aspects of the local authority Trading Standards Service. In view of the degree to which these requirements overlap a single, formal Service and Performance Plan has been prepared, incorporating all of the elements required by both Government agencies. The draft plan is circulated to Cabinet Members and is available for inspection. A copy is in the Members’ Resource Centre. Those aspects of the Plan that relate specifically to Food Law Enforcement are highlighted below.

  3. The Service Plan will also demonstrate how the wide range of food law enforcement activities undertaken by the County Council’s Trading Standards Service can contribute to the overall corporate objectives of Oxfordshire County Council.

  4. The importance of food law enforcement and consumer education in relation to diet and nutrition has never been more acute:

    • More than £600 Million is now spent each year in Oxfordshire on food alone.

    • Nationally, poor diet is responsible for nearly a third of life years lost through disability and death, mainly from heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

    • In Oxfordshire, there is evidence of an increase in type 2 diabetes, most commonly linked to high levels of fat intake.

    • 9% of pupils in Oxfordshire are eligible for Free School Meals and therefore rely upon the County Council for their main meal of the day.

    • The links between diet, health, behaviour in school and academic attainment are now well documented.

    • More and more emphasis is given to the "Oxfordshire" brand through initiatives such as the Oxfordshire Food Group.

Food Law Enforcement Service Plan

  1. The structure of the Service Plan itself is set by the Food Standards Agency and is intended to ensure that the County Council will include:

    • information about the services we provide;

    • the means by which we will provide those services;

    • the means by which we will meet any relevant performance targets or performance standards;

    • a review of performance in order to address any variance from meeting the requirements of the service plan.

  1. It is proposed that the food enforcement activities for 2006/07 should be based on six themes: tackling food poverty; encouraging a healthier diet; improving food standards and choice for consumers at catering establishments; addressing the concerns of our communities; helping to sustain local businesses; and safeguarding food standards.

    2. Food Law Enforcement Specifics for 2006/07

  2. The following paragraphs within the draft Service and Performance Plan relate specifically to food law enforcement:

    • Pages 6&7: Priorities for 2006/07. This section sets out the rationale behind the priorities identified for the year.

    • Pages 9&10: Scope of the Service. This section provides an explanation of those areas of responsibility falling to Trading Standards and those to the District Council Environmental Health services, etc.

    • Pages 10&11: Profile of the County. This section sets the scene in terms of the number of businesses across Oxfordshire and shows the number of food businesses liable to Trading Standards inspection. The figures show an increase in the number of food manufacturers, packers and importers and in the number of registered feeding-stuffs premises.

    • Pages 13&14: Finance. This section offers a very brief summary of the Trading Standards Service budget for 2006/07.

    • Pages 17&18: Our Achievements. This section highlights some of the successes achieved through 2005/06.

  1. Appendix 2 of the Service and Performance Plan sets out some of the key activities to be undertaken during 2006/07. Those specifically relating to food law enforcement include:

    • 1. Consumer education events such as "Oxfordshire’s Best School Dinners" competition.

    • 8. Completing a programme of product sampling and testing.

    • 9. Researching and proposing solutions to areas of food poverty.

    • 12. Completing a programme of risk assessed inspections of local businesses.

    • 16. Carrying out an audit of local food claims at Farmers’ Markets.

RECOMMENDATION

  1. The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to approve the Food Law Enforcement Service Plan for submission to the Food Standards Agency.

NIGEL STRICK
Head of Trading Standards & Registration Services

Contact Officer: Nigel Strick Tel. 01865 815601

Background Papers:

(i) Framework Agreement on Local Authority Food Law Enforcement (Food Standards Agency).
(ii) An investigation into the Nutritional Value of Meals Served in Oxfordshire Schools (Oxfordshire County Council Trading Standards)
(iii) Food: the local vision (Food Standards Agency)

      May 2006

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