The Worcestershire Regulatory Services Board meeting on 27 June 2024 covered several key topics, including the financial position for the period April to December 2023, engagement with the Food Standards Agency, the 2024/2025 Service Plan, and updates on the automation project. Decisions were made to note financial liabilities, approve an increase in establishment for food safety enforcement, and endorse the Service Plan for the upcoming year.

Worcestershire Regulatory Service Revenue Monitoring April - December 2023

The Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Resources Finance for Bromsgrove District Council and Redditch Borough Council presented the revenue monitoring report for April to December 2023. The report showed a projected outturn surplus of £3,000 for the 2023/24 financial year. Key points included:

• A reserved £120,000 from last year's surplus to accommodate the enhanced pay award in 2023/24.
• Agency staff costs incurred due to backfilling of staff working on other contractual work, covered by vacant posts and income generation.
• An overspend on pest control services projected at £15,000 if current trends continued, with liabilities for Redditch Borough Council and Wychavon District Council at £7,000 and £8,000 respectively.
• Bereavement costs for partner councils, charged on an as-and-when basis, with actual costs for April to December 2023 detailed for each council.

The Board resolved to note the financial position and inform partner councils of their liabilities for bereavements, pest control, and additional technical officers.

Food Service and Food Standards Agency Engagement

The Head of Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS) presented the Food Service and Food Standards Agency (FSA) engagement report. The FSA had pushed local authorities to increase their commitments to food law enforcement and align activities with the Food Law Code of Practice. Key points included:

• An uplift in the WRS budget for Food Safety Act enforcement.
• The FSA's expectation for authorities to re-align their activities to be more reflective of the Code, moving away from intelligence-driven approaches.
• The need for interventions at lower-risk premises (categories D and E) and annual visits to certain caring premises.
• Recruitment of additional Regulatory Support Officers and Senior Technical Officers to meet the increased workload.

The Board resolved to note the report and approve the increase in establishment resulting from the funding uplift.

WRS Annual Service Plan 2024/2025

The Board considered the Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS) Service Plan for 2024/2025. The plan outlined strategic priorities and tactical priorities, including supporting a safe and vibrant night-time economy, promoting responsible dog ownership, and supporting businesses to operate safely. Key points included:

• The plan's alignment with the strategic priorities for local authority regulatory services.
• The focus on tactical priorities identified in the service's Strategic Assessment.
• The need for Members to note the proposed numbers of inspections and activities for the new financial year.

The Board resolved to approve the Service Plan and note the level of work to be undertaken in relation to food control.

Activity and Performance Data Quarter 3 2023/4

The Technical Services Manager presented the Activity and Performance Data for Quarter 3 of 2023/2024. Key points included:

• An increase in dog control cases and a decrease in food safety cases compared to previous years.
• Licensing application numbers remained on trend, with a slight increase in complaints and enquiries.
• Customer satisfaction and performance metrics, including business customer satisfaction and staff sickness rates.

The Board resolved to note the Activity and Performance Data and use the contents of the report in their own reporting.

Progress Report on the Automation Project

The Technical Services Manager provided an update on the Automation Project. Key points included:

• Testing and evaluation of forms, with the TENs (Temporary Event Notice) form ready for rollout.
• Delays in implementing the connector by IDOX, with a workaround in place for testing.
• Financial testing showed high confidence in the process, with monies transferring correctly.
• Future updates on the project to be provided at Board meetings.

The Board resolved to note the progress report on the Automation Project.

Environmental and Planning Enforcement Business Case

The Head of WRS presented the Environmental and Planning Enforcement Business Case. The recommendation involved increasing the WRS budget by £470,625 to bring enviro-crime and planning enforcement functions for Bromsgrove District and Redditch Borough Councils into the WRS remit. Key points included:

• The business case explored the benefit of grouping enforcement functions within WRS.
• Approval by Redditch Executive and Bromsgrove Cabinet, with additional investment to meet demand and enhance resources.
• Assurance that additional resources would not impact other partner authorities.

The Board resolved to agree to the proposal, note the associated budget uplift, and approve the permanent establishment increase required for delivery.

For more details, you can refer to the Minutes and the Public reports pack.