The Port Health & Environmental Services Committee was scheduled to discuss a range of topics, including food safety, environmental health, and risk management. The committee was also expected to consider the implementation of new regulations regarding single-use vapes and enhanced biodiversity duties. Additionally, members were to review and approve various service plans and appointments to sub-committees and outside bodies.

Port Health and Food Safety

The committee was scheduled to consider the Port Health Service Food Safety Enforcement Plan 2025/26 and the Port Health Service Plan 2025/26. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) expects the committee to approve the enforcement plan, which outlines how the London Port Health Authority (LPHA) intends to ensure compliance with legislation related to imported food and animal feed.

The report pack stated that the LPHA has 160 registered food premises, with the majority located within the ports and river area, and a smaller number in the London Gateway Logistics Park. These premises are subject to inspections ranging from every six months to every three years, based on FSA risk categories.

The Port Health Service Plan 2025/26 details a comprehensive approach to managing public, animal, and environmental health at the ports and surrounding areas. This includes:

• Controlling food and feed imports
• Monitoring food standards and food safety
• Water quality management
• Infectious disease control
• Civil contingencies
• Ship sanitation
• Environmental protection
• Shellfish control

The plan also highlights the service's commitment to delivering a high-quality, accessible, and responsive service, including extended operating hours and investment in staff development.

Commercial Environmental Health Service Plan

The committee was scheduled to review the Commercial Environmental Health Service Plan 2025-26, which outlines how the City Corporation intends to deliver food and health and safety controls. The FSA and the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) expect the committee to approve the plan.

The Commercial Environmental Health Team prioritises high-risk and non-compliant establishments to ensure that City businesses operate safely for their customers. The team's work includes:

• Reducing the number of new/unrated food establishments requiring an initial inspection
• Implementing the new food standards delivery model
• Prioritising high-risk and non-compliant establishments
• Investigating complaints
• Supporting businesses through the Primary Authority scheme¹
• Implementing a risk-based sampling programme
• Responding promptly to food safety incidents
• Collaborating with other authorities to ensure consistent enforcement

Single-Use Vapes

The committee was scheduled to consider a report regarding delegated powers to the Executive Director of the Environment Department related to single-use vapes. The Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (England) Regulations 2024, which came into force on 1 June 2025, support the ban on the supply of single-use vapes to reduce environmental harm and reduce the appeal of vaping to children and young people.

The report pack stated that the new regulations introduce new offences for supplying single-use vapes and enable the City of London to authorise persons to exercise enforcement powers. The committee was asked to consider delegating authority to the Executive Director Environment to institute proceedings and authorise relevant officers under the new regulations.

Enhanced Biodiversity Duties

The committee was scheduled to receive a report on the enhanced biodiversity duties of public authorities, as required by the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (as amended by the Environment Act 2021). The 2021 Act strengthened the existing Biodiversity Duty, requiring public authorities to consider what action they can take to conserve and enhance biodiversity.

The report pack stated that the City Corporation is well-positioned to meet these requirements, as biodiversity protection already informs many aspects of its work. The committee was asked to approve the report as a record of the City Corporation's statutory First Consideration of the Biodiversity Duty and to approve the actions identified in the report to further the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity.

Business Plan Progress Report

The committee was scheduled to receive a report providing an update on progress made between 1 October 2024 and 31 March 2025 against the high-level Business Plan 2024/25 for the Cleansing Service and Port Health and Public Protection. The plan set out the key aims, workstreams, and performance indicators (KPIs) for the year ahead.

Key workstreams included:

• Protecting and promoting public, animal, and environmental health, and consumer protection
• Protecting public, animal, and environmental health at the borders
• Financial security and development
• Air Quality Strategy
• Cleansing Service
• Mitigating results of anti-social behaviour (ASB)
• Circular Economy Framework

Risk Management Update

The committee was scheduled to receive a report providing assurance that risk management procedures in place within the Environment Department are satisfactory and meet the requirements of the corporate Risk Management Framework. The report considers the key risks managed by the Port Health and Public Protection Division and the Cleansing Service.

Key risks identified include:

• Air Quality
• Brexit – Impact on Port Health and Animal Health
• Road traffic collision caused by City of London staff or contractor who is unfit to drive while on City business
• A major incident, such as flooding or fire, makes Walbrook Wharf unusable as a depot

Appointments to Sub Committees and Representatives to Outside Bodies

The committee was scheduled to make appointments to various sub-committees and outside bodies. These included:

• Local Plans Sub-Committee
• Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee
• Projects and Procurement Sub-Committee
• Thames Estuary Partnership
• Thames21

The report pack noted that the Chairman, or their representative, shall serve on the Health and Wellbeing Board, and that the Chairman and Deputy Chairman, or their representatives, shall serve on the Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Sub Committee.

Other Matters

The committee was also scheduled to:

• Elect a Chairman and Deputy Chairman.
• Approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 7 January 2025.
• Note a report of action taken under urgency procedures regarding the Cemetery and Crematorium Administration System.