To present to Cabinet a review of the current Food & Safety Service Plan and the Food & Safety Environment Policy that has been undertaken by the Food & Safety Manager to amend both documents, to include all legislative changes introduced and to ensure both documents actively reflect the work undertaken by the Food & Safety service in 2026 and beyond.

RESOLVED that -

(a)     the Food & Safety Service Plan 2026 – 2027 in the form appended as Appendix A to the Portfolio Holder’s report (A.4) be approved in so far as it relates to executive functions;

(b)     the Food & Safety Enforcement Policy 2026-2028 in the form appended as Appendix B to the Portfolio Holder’s report (A.4) be approved in so far as it relates to executive functions;

(c)     both documents be referred to the Licensing and Registration Committee for consideration of the non-executive functions, which fall within that Committee’s responsibility; and

(d)     subject to the decisions of the Licensing and Registration Committee, the Corporate Director (Operations and Delivery) be authorised to approve amendments or updates as may be required to the Food & Safety Service Plan and Food & Safety Enforcement Policy 2026-2027, and on an annual basis thereafter.

Cabinet considered a report of the Environment & ICT Portfolio Holder (A.4) which presented to Cabinet a review of the current Food & Safety Service Plan and the Food & Safety Enforcement Policy that had been undertaken by the Food & Safety Manager to amend both documents, to include all legislative changes introduced and to ensure both documents actively reflected the work undertaken by the Food & Safety service in 2026 and beyond.

The report’s recommendations sought Cabinet’s approval of both documents, and for them to be published accordingly.

The Food & Safety Service Plan – 2026-2027 (Appendix A)

Members were aware that the Food and Safety Service Plan was an expression of Tendring District Council’s continuing commitment to the provision of Food Hygiene and Safety, Health and Safety, Animal Welfare and other related services.

The Council was designated as a Food Authority under the Food Safety Act 1990.

It was reported that the Food Service Plan had been produced, as it was a requirement of the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in its Framework Agreement on Official Feed and Food Controls by Local Authorities. The FSA was the governing body that oversaw all areas that related to food safety and standards. The Council was working with the FSA to ensure Food Businesses within the District were safe and registered in accordance with the Food Law Code of Practice (FLCOP).

This plan highlighted what the Food Safety service at Tendring District Council would do moving forward in relation to the statutory functions undertaken by the service, and how the Council would deliver Food Safety enforcement in accordance with current guidelines up to and including 2028, and would be reviewed annually in accordance with FSA requirements to include updates of the work completed during the previous year. The document set out the following priorities:

·      Food safety objectives detailing the Council’s responsibilities as set out in legislation, associated statutory code of practice and national Guidelines.

·      The current work programme within the Service.

·      The Council’s policy on food safety, sampling, provision of information to business, investigation of complaints and allegations of Food Poisoning, response to Food Safety Alerts and infectious disease control.

·      Ensure that food and drink intended for sale for human consumption, which is supplied, manufactured, produced, stored, distributed, handled or consumed within Tendring complies with the law, is free from contamination and is without risk to the health of consumers (for people who work, live or visit Tendring District).

·      Be committed to ensuring that satisfactory standards of food hygiene are practised and maintained throughout the district.

·      Undertake an effective and planned programme of quality risk-based food safety inspections of food premises (by qualified and suitably trained officers), to ensure compliance with food law and to minimise risks to health and safety.

·      Take appropriate enforcement action proportional to the risks involved and in accordance with the Council’s Food Safety Enforcement Policy with due regard being given to the Primary Authority Scheme and guidance from relevant external bodies.

·      To monitor foodstuffs manufactured, imported, stored or on display for sale in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11