Issue - meetings

The Committee is asked to consider the introduction of a charge for food hygiene rating scheme (FHRS) re-inspections.

The Committee:

(1)          Agreed to introduce a charge for requested food hygiene rating scheme re-inspections on a cost recovery basis

(2)          Authorised the Head of Housing and Community to set the fee at such level, or on such scale, as he thinks fit.

The Committee received and considered a report which proposed the introduction of charging for food hygiene rating scheme (FHRS) re-inspections.

In response to a query prior to the meeting as whether it would be possible to have a breakdown of the number of food businesses in each category, statistical information from the Food Standards Agency regarding the distribution of FHRS ratings in Epsom and Ewell as at 12 June 2017 had been circulated to members of the committee.  It was noted that there was no statutory obligation on a business to display it food hygiene rating

The report highlighted that it would be important to ensure that the Council could demonstrate that the level of charge did no more than cover the cost of the service provided (including overheads).  Given the small number of likely applications, Officers considered that it would be appropriate to delegate to them the authority to set the scale of fees.

Accordingly, the Committee:

(1)          Agreed to introduce a charge for requested food hygiene rating scheme re-inspections on a cost recovery basis

(2)          Authorised the Head of Housing and Community to set the fee at such level, or on such scale, as he thinks fit.