Issue - meetings

Purpose

1.    This report is an expression of the Portsmouth City Council's (the Council) commitment to its health and safety (H&S) role and responsibilities to develop a H&S operating plan.

2.    The attached business plan sets out the manner in which H&S inspections, initiatives and activities have been designed to broadly meet the requirements of the National Local Authority Enforcement Code issued by the H&S Executive (HSE) under Section 18 of the H&S at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSW Act).

3.    The HSE requires a H&S operating plan to be submitted annually for Member approval to ensure local transparency and accountability, however, in September 2017 the Council took to a view to review and publish a new plan at least every third year.

4.    The 2019 - 2022 H&S operating plan (the plan) sets out the overall aim of the service:

“To work with others to protect people's health and safety by ensuring risks in the changing workplace are managed properly.”

5.    The plan is based upon the following key priority aligned with the HSE 2019 Priority:

"The prevention of death, injury and ill health to those at work and those affected by work activities."

6.    Upon approval, the plan will be effective for a period of approximately 3 years.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member for Community Safety approves the manner in which Regulatory Services purposes to deliver its H&S responsibilities for the period 2019 - 2022 as set out in Appendix 1.

Steve Bell, Environmental Health Team Leader introduced the report and in response to questions added that:

·         Inspection of food premises is significant part of the enforcement remit. 

·         If there was an issue with the staff cafeteria, the code of practice requires the team to inform the Chief Executive.  Another Local Authority would be called in to carry out any enforcement procedures. 

Councillor Hunt noted that this is a very important service and he was reassured by the approach taken. 

DECISION

The Cabinet Member for Community Safety approved the manner in which Regulatory Services proposes to deliver its H&S responsibilities for the period 2019 - 2022 as set out in Appendix 1.