Issue - meetings

Report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment

Cabinet Member:     Councillor Hoddinott

Commissioner:         Kenny (in advisory role)

Recommendations:

1.    That a charging scheme for re-inspections of food businesses be introduced, when requested, in respect of the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, with effect from 1 February 2018.

2.    That the fee for re-inspections of food business, upon request as part of the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, be set at £150 per inspection.

Consideration was given to the report which detailed how the food hygiene rating displayed at food premises reflected the standards of food hygiene found on the date of inspection or visit by the Council. The food hygiene rating was not a guide to food quality, but rather to the standards at the premises.  Very often, where a business had received a low food hygiene rating, the owners requested a re-visit from the Council following improvements to standards.

The Food Standards Agency had issued guidance which allowed Councils to charge for undertaking requested re-inspections under the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme.  It was proposed that a fee of £150 be charged for such re-inspections. 

The South Yorkshire Food Liaison Group, which was attended by the Food Hygiene Principal Officers considered the introduction of a re-inspection fee and it was agreed by the group that a county wide re-inspection fee should be considered. 

Sheffield City Council already introduced charging for re-visits (£150) in accordance with the revised Brand Standard.  The Brand Standard was guidance set by the Food Standards Agency which Local Authorities were required to follow when they operated the Food Hygiene rating Scheme.

Adopting this charging scheme brought with it advantages to business in that the timescale for re-inspections shortened and more than one re-inspection could be requested.

This report had been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board as part of the pre-scrutiny process who were in support of the recommendations.

Resolved:-  (1)  That a charging scheme for re-inspections of food businesses be introduced, when requested, in respect of the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, with effect from 1st February, 2018.

(2)  That the fee for re-inspections of food business, upon request as part of the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, be set at £150 per inspection.