Agenda item

Consideration was given to a report advising Members of work planned by the Food and Safety Team in 2026/27 and a revue of the previous years’ performance.  Copies of the work planned and last years’ performance were attached at Appendix A.  A copy of the Food Sampling Plan for 2026/27 was attached at Appendix B.

The Environmental Health Manager presented the report and stated that there were just over 1000 food businesses in the Borough and consisted of different types of take-away, restaurant, retail shops, nursery schools and others.

Any new food business would be required to register with the Council, at least 28 days prior to opening and it would be the food business’ duty to comply with the food law.

The Council’s  food team would carry out inspections against the Food Hygiene Regulations and at the end, the business would be given a Priority Risk Rating of A to E and that would dictate the frequency of future inspections.  In addition, part of the risk rating would be used to generate the National Food Hygiene Rating.

The food team have legal powers of entry to carry out unannounced inspections at any reasonable time and it would be an offence to obstruct an officer.  There was also a reactive workload that could not be planned for – for example, complaints regarding purchased food or premises.

Last year, the team completed 100% of the risk inspections and also had 222 of new food business registrations, whose inspections were all completed.

Regarding Food Hygiene Ratings from last year, 774 businesses were rated 5 and only a small number rated 0 and 1.  For businesses rated 0 and 1, the Council would make numerous revisits and work with them to try to help improve their performance.

Councillor Hutchison referred to the table on page 45 of the agenda, where in 2023 premises rated 1  totalled 1 and last year the total had risen to 18 and asked what the reason was for the increase and should the Council be worried.

The Environmental Health Manager stated that  premises with that rating would receive more visits so it was nothing to be concerned about.  The Environmental Health Manager was unsure as to the reason for the increase in poor performers.

Councillor Hutchison asked if those premises improved and the proprietor paid for another visit – could their Food Hygiene rating be improved. 

The Environmental Health Manager stated that once a premise had a revisit which improved their score, they could apply for a new rating for a small fee.

Councillor Sedgley stated that the food rating stickers were not always visible and some that were visible were out of date.  Councillor Sedgley suggested that the Welsh system should be adopted where display/visibility was compulsory.

The Environmental Health Manager stated that the law in Wales was different to England.  However, the Food Standards Agency were looking to ask Parliament to consider the matter.  At present, all scores were displayed on the Council’s website.

If a wrong rating was being displayed, the Council would work with Trading Standards who would take appropriate action.

Councillor Whieldon asked if primary and secondary visits were spot check or was notice given in advance.

The Environmental Health Manager stated that the aim was to carry out all inspections without an appointment.  Occasionally an appointment would be made if the intention was to meet a particular person.

Councillor Whitmore asked about three premises that were rated ‘0’, would they be closed down and given the opportunity to improve.

The Environmental Health Manager stated that some premises when rated ‘0’ would close voluntarily and make improvements.  Once improvements had been made, a re-score could be requested.

Councillor Machin referred to twenty two unrated premises that were due for inspection this year and asked, how long after opening did they have to be inspected.

The Environmental Health Manager stated that the intention was to carry out inspections within twenty-eight days.

Councillor Machin stated that, in Stoke it had sometimes been much longer than twenty-eight days.

As that was a different local authority it was hard to comment on that but would be subject to producing a Service Plan similar to that of this Authority.

Resolved:      That the Food Safety Service Plan for 2026/2027 be received and

endorsed.

Watch the debate here