Agenda item

Director of Markets & Consumer Protection to be heard.

The Director of Markets & Consumer Protection provided a presentation to the Sub- Committee. The Director of Markets & Consumer Protection mentioned that there are a lot of similarities between Port Health and the Open Spaces due to the nature of their work outside of the City.

At this point, the Chairman left the room, with the Deputy Chairman in the Chair.

The Director of Markets & Consumer Protection informed the Sub-Committee that the majority of the Department’s work is time sensitive and business related. The Director of Markets & Consumer Protection gave examples of the Department's digital journey, including:

Smart Metering:  Smithfield Market has replaced its manual bill generation process with automated smart metering.  

Patrol and Shift Software: Provides greater flexibility for security officers at New Spitalfields to issue fines on the spot.

Car Parking: Billingsgate is introducing a modern parking payment collection system which will replace the coin machine.

At this point, the Chairman enters the room and takes the Chair.

The Department has been working in collaboration with other departments and is emphasising on going mobile, which will allow the team to record an inspection live and share the information with the business it’s just inspected. The Heathrow Animal Reception Centre’s Custom Clearance has seen a positive impact due to its digitalisation and has led to faster services and less waiting time.  Additionally, the Office of the Coroner is now cloud-based, allowing Officers to work remotely. The Markets & Consumer Protection now seeks to look further into AI/Robotic Process Automation, which can cover some of the repetitive tasks and having information in multiple languages.

A Member asked where the City of London was with the adoption of IT and the role IT has on the Port Health.  Members were assured that at present Officers have access to remote working at the Ports, but the City of London needs to learn from good examples and encourage learning from one another. Going digital has enabled staff to be more agile as well as being able to provide live information to customers.

RESOLVED – That the Sub-Committee notes the presentation.