PAPER B

FIRE & PUBLIC SAFETY SELECT COMMITTEE – 23 JANUARY 2003

SERVICE PLAN 2003/2004 CONSUMER PROTECTION

REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND INFORMATION

REASON FOR SELECT COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

This Service Plan is designed to provide officers and members with details of the way Consumer Protection plans to deliver service improvements and contribute to delivery of Council priorities during 2003/2004.

ACTION REQUIRED BY THE SELECT COMMITTEE

ü Performance Indicators

ü Proposed service developments

ü Past performance

ü Budget implications

This process should provide a basis for:

ü Suggesting amendments to the Service Plan

ü Making recommendations to the Executive for changes to priorities

ü Identifying areas for future scrutiny

ü Providing input to the medium term budget process

BACKGROUND

Performance Indicator data is under internal review. The service is requested to generate one national performance indicator in Environmental Health, and one in Trading Standards, designated BV166a and BV166b. A raft of local indicators have been used in previous years. The review is designed to identify a reduced number of more meaningful indicators appropriate for publication. This review is also directed at identifying monthly output measures designed to identify service trends and therein assist the management and planning processes.

RELEVANT PLANS, POLICIES, STRATEGIES AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

This Service Plan will form the basis of the operation of the Consumer Protection Department for some years to come. It embraces many of the Council’s objectives and includes an Improvement Plan. The Councils Enforcement Policy, adapted for the Consumer Protection Service, is a policy of particular relevance and importance in the Service’s operations. The Plan also incorporates some elements of the Best Value Improvement Plan for Environmental Health.

CONSULTATION PROCESS

Parts of the Service have undergone a best value review recently which included consultation with a variety of stakeholders (businesses, service users, members and staff). In addition audits have been carried out by the Food Standards Agency and by other authorities as part of an inter-authority audit scheme.

Other areas for consultation are mentioned in the Service Plan.

FINANCIAL, LEGAL, CRIME AND DISORDER IMPLICATIONS

These issues are addressed in the Service Plan.

APPENDICES ATTACHED

The Service Plan 2003/2004.

BACKGROUND PAPERS USED IN THE PREPARATION OF THIS REPORT

Best Value review report (Environmental Health)

Food Safety and Hygiene Service Plan 2002/03

I.W. Council’s Corporate Plan

Contact Point: Rob Owen, Head of Consumer Protection

F 823151 and e-mail [email protected]

JOHN PULSFORD

Strategic Director of Finance and Information