Agenda item

The Committee received a report which included the Environmental Protection Services Delivery Plan for 2018/19.  The Plan outlined the Council’s service aims and objectives providing links to the corporate objectives and plans.  Appended to the report was an Executive Summary of the plan.

The Plan provided the scope and demands of the Environmental Protection Services and illustrated the demands and challenges on the service and how these would be positively addressed in 2018/19.

The Committee noted that the Environmental Protection Section was required by the Food Standards Agency and the Health and Safety Executive to produce an annual Service Delivery Plan.

The following questions/issues were raised on the report:-

·    In response to a query raised in relation to the monitoring of premises who have been successful in obtaining a 5 star rating, the Environmental Protection Manager explained that the current monitoring process required each business with a 5 star hygiene rating to complete a questionnaire every 3 years as these are low risk premises. In addition, low risk premises could be subject to an inspection following receipt of a complaint or any other reason which may determine a re-visit.

·    Reference was made to the food rating inspection programme table for 2017/18 on page 13 of the plan.  An explanation of the categories A-E within the table was requested.  The Environmental Protection Manager explained that premises liable for food safety inspections were risk assessed and that the risk assessment category shown in the table dictated the frequency and level of inspection they receive.  It was explained that category A included businesses with the lowest food hygiene rating which would require a visit every 6 months, leading up to Category E with the highest food hygiene rating which only required a visit every 3 years.

·    Reference was made to the rise in the number of reports of fly tipping, as demonstrated in the graph on page 28 of the plan.  It was asked if the increase was attributed to the closure of recycling centres thus causing an increase in public complaints. The Environmental Protection Manager explained that the number of complaints recorded in the graph were fly tipping cases reported on private land only.  In addition, whilst currently there was no evidence to suggest that the closure of the recycling centres coincide with the increase, this will be monitored as more evidence is gathered.

·    Reference was made to the Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) set out on page 23 of the plan.  It was asked, if working with local Eco-school co-ordinators in AQMA’s was the best method to raise awareness of poor air quality.  The Environmental Protection Manager explained that the intention was to work towards educating children which in turn would inform the parents.  Other initiatives were in place including links with the charity ‘Walkstreets’ which by using a mobile app and a points scoring system could raise money for the school.  This was currently in place in Johnstown primary school.

The Head of Transportation and Highways added that through education and working with schools in order to encourage behavioural change, together with the National Policy to improve travel plans it was hoped that the aim to improve air quality for the future would be achieved.

The Executive Board Member for Environment stated that with the assistance of the Council’s Road Safety team, schools were encouraged to launch a ‘walking bus’, which provided a safe means for children to travel to school whilst reducing the number of vehicles at the school gates which pose a safety and environmental problem. All Councillors were encouraged to consider this option for the schools within their areas.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE EXECUTIVE BOARD that the Service Delivery Plan – Environmental Protection 2018/19 be approved.