Agenda item

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection which provided an update on progress against the operational performance indicators as outlined within the Departmental Business Plan.

During discussion Members raised the following points:

·         Why the Port of Tilbury had achieved better results than the Port at London Gateway when conducting checks of food products.

·         Some food products were sent to labs in Germany for checks and could a UK facility do this instead to reduce turnaround times.

·         That the air quality target remained at red and would consideration be given to other solutions.

·         Why had there been an increase in sickness absence.

·         Why had there been a reduction in debts being settled within 90 days.

In response to the points raised, the Director of Port Health and Public Protection explained that:

·         There was greater throughput at London Gateway and due to enhanced checks on meat from Brazil, there were greater waiting times.

·         The City Corporation had raised the point with the Food Standards Agency expressing concern at the lack of UK based laboratory testing facilities. This had also been highlighted by the International Meat Traders Association and would be considered at the next major ports forum which is hosted by the City Corporation.

·         A refresh of the Air Quality Strategy 2015-2020 would take place to reflect changes in circumstances and progress made to date. In response to a request that the refresh of the Strategy be considered before March 2019, the Director agreed to provide an update in July 2018.

·         There had been some long-term sickness within the Department, and this was being managed in line with the City Corporation’s policy with close scrutiny by the Chief Officer and Director.

·         Work had been taking place to improve the debt target and an update would be provided at Item 24.

The Chairman advised that a final draft of the Mayor of London’s Environmental Strategy had recently been published and this provided details of what City Hall were seeking from Central Government with regards to cleaner air, including proposals for new legislation. The Director of Port Health and Public Protection explained that the team were working with the Remembrancer’s Department on what might be included in a City Bill. The City Corporation would support additional legislative controls set out within the Strategy, but a City Bill would focus on the relevant local activities such as pollution from construction sites. The Director also confirmed that work was taking place through lobbying to support a potential new Clean Air Act.

RESOLVED – That the Committee note the report and its appendices.