Hillingdon Council Cabinet Member and Officer Decisions
The Provision of Veterinary Services at the Imported Food Office on behalf of the London Borough of Hillingdon - PART II
Report Document
No Report PDF available.
Decision / Minutes Document
Can't see the PDF? Download Minutes
Text extracted from PDFs
View Decision / Minutes Text
Cabinet Member Decision Notice – 21 April 2021 OFFICIAL DECISION NOTICE PUBLISHED BY DEMOCRATIC SERVICES ON 21 APRIL 2021 The Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Public Safety and Transport have made the following decision today: 1. THE LEADER OF THE COUNCIL AND THE CABINET MEMBER FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND TRANSPORT THE PROVISION OF VETERINARY SERVICES AT THE IMPORTED FOOD OFFICE ON BEHALF O F THE LONDON BOROUGH OF HILLINGDON DECISION: That the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Public Safety and Tran sport agree d to extend the current contract with Senlac Associates for the provision of veterinary services to the London Borough of Hillingdon for a one -year period from 01 April 2021 to 31 March 2022 and at a cost of £330,000 for the period. REASONS FOR THE DECISION MADE For the Council to maintain its statutory obligations for the inspection and clearance of imported products of animal origin (POAO), it is necessary to have in place a contract for the provision of veterinary services. Given the uncertainties of the post-Covid economy and the impact of the EU Transition after 01 July 2021, it is recommended that the status quo in relation to veterinary support is maintained by extending the current contract with Senlac Associates for a further year. The provision of veterinary support will continue to be reviewed, with a full evaluation towards the end of the extension period. By that stage, the longer-term operational impacts of Covid and Brexit should be clearer as should the service's ongoing needs for OVS provision. Senlac Associates have been a source of great support and knowledge in preparing the service for changes arising from the EU Transition. Furthermore, the Food Standards Agency is due to make significant changes to the ‘Food Law Code of Practice’ which may impact on the statutory functions and authorisations of official controls at the IFO. This is due to be advised in the Spring and will be reviewed in conjunction with both Covid and Brexit impacts in determining the longer-term needs of the Service. The Council continues to raise income from importers to fund the Imported Food Office, including the provision of veterinary services, Dan Kennedy – Director of Planning, Environment, Education, and Community Service Stephanie Waterford, Service Manager Licensing Food and Safety Regulation Cabinet Member Decision Notice – 21 April 2021 through inspection fees and charges. ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED AND REJECTED An alternative option considered was to cease e xamining imported Products of Animal Origin (POAO) arriving at London Heathrow Airport (LHR). The consequence of this, however, is that the Council would fail to meet its statutory obligations as a Border Control Post (BCP) which would likely result in Central Government intervention. FURTHER INFORMATION The report relating to this decision was declared as exempt from publication as it involves the disclosure of information in accordance with Section 100(A) and paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12 (A) to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), in that the report contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) and that the public interest in withholding the information outweighs the public interest in disclosing it. DECISION AUTHORITY & IMPLEMENTATION Where required, these decisions have been taken under The Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012. These decisions, unless called in, will come into effect from 5pm on Wednesday 28 April 2021. This is the formal notice by the Council of the above decisions. If you would like more information on any of the decisions, please contact Democratic Services on 01895 250636. The right hand column indicates the name of the officer(s) responsible for implementing / following up the decision in each case. Circulation of this decisions sheet is to a variety of people including Members of the Council, Corporate Directors, Officers, Group Secretariats and the Public.