Resolved:

That the Tower Hamlets Food Law Enforcement Plan 2008/2009, attached at Appendix 1 to the report (CAB 012/09), be approved.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR COMMUNITIES, LOCALITIES AND CULTURE

(S. HALSEY)

Head of Trading Standards & Environmental Health (Commercial), Communities, Localities & Culture (C. Perrins)

Environmental Health, Commercial Service Manager, Communities, Localities & Culture, (D. Tolley)

Councillor A. Ali gave notification to the clerk prior to the Cabinet meeting that she had a personal interest in Agenda items 6.1 “Food Law Enforcement Service Plan 2008/2009” on the basis that the report made reference to the Tower Hamlets Primary Care Trust. and Councillor Ali was an employee of the Tower Hamlets Primary Care Trust (partner in general practitioner’s practice in Spitalfields).

Mr Halsey, Corporate Director Communities, Localities and Culture, at the request of the Chair in introducing the report:

·                    Briefly summarised the salient points contained therein:

o                    Drawing particular attention to paragraphs 3.3 and 3.4 which outlined the Authority’s responsibilities in relation to food law and the commercial premises in relation to which this regime was applied.

o                    Highlighting in particular that National Indicator 184 measured the compliance of establishments with food hygiene law and 57% of Tower Hamlets premises were currently compliant and it was intended that this would be increased by 5% in the coming year.

·                    Addressed the matters raised by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, held on 1^st July 2008, in relation to the report; as set out in the tabled sheet of questions and comments presented by the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee earlier in the proceedings.

Mr Tolley, Enviornmental Health Commercial Service Manager – Communities, Localities and Culture, at the request of the Chair, responded to requests for clarification/ assurance, in relation to a number or matters including:-

·                    With reference to Appendix 1, paragraph 4.1.3 and Table 5 contained therein: the budget available to staff for call allowances, in the context of the Authority’s policies promoting low car usage, and steps being taken to reduce this.

·                    With reference to Appendix 1, paragraph 6.15.1: the usage of agency staff and if due to shortage of adequately qualified staff, the steps being taken to mitigate reliance on these.

·                    With reference to Appendix 1, paragraph 2.1.2 inclusion of Mile End Park and Weavers Fields in community events detailed.

·                    With reference to the take up of training referred to in the report: nature, availability, promotion of training.

·                    With reference to Appendix 1 page 54: specification of young workers in relation to which data being collected.

·                    With reference to paragraph 12.1 “Sustainable Action for a Greener Environment”, and the context of the importance of recycling and waste management to the recently adopted Local Area Agreement, the ways in which the Authority was currently promoting the reduction of food waste and how this could be taken forward.

Councillor Ullah, Lead Member Cleaner, Safer, Greener, in welcoming the report and thanking the officer team for their contribution to its production:-

·                    Commented upon the prevalence of fast food outlets in High Street 2012, expressed concern that this encouraged an unhealthy lifestyle, primarily amongst young people, and requested that officers explore the options for limiting an expansion in their numbers and instead maintaining an appropriate mix of commercial premises.

·                    Considered that the availability of food and refreshments was needed at large and lengthy events, but  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6