HULL AND GOOLE PORT HEALTH AUTHORITY

14March2017

(The meeting was held in the Guildhall, Kingston upon Hull)

PRESENT:-

Councillor J. Briggs, Councillor L. Chambers, Councillor N. Fudge, Councillor K. Moore, Councillor K. Turner and Councillor K. Vickers.

IN ATTENDANCE:-

L. Dettman and A. Hamil (Hull and Goole Port Health Authority), A. Gill (Senior Finance Officer, HCC), andL. Hawkins(Democratic Services Officer, HCC).

APOLOGIES:-

Councillors Boatman, Brady and Briggs.

Minute

No. /

Report

No. /

Business

1647 / MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 6DECEMBER 2016
Resolved – that the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday, 6December,2016, be approved as a true and correct record.
1648 / BUDGETMONITORING 2016-17
The Senior Finance Officer and the Chief Port Health Inspector submitted a report which informed Members of the Authority’s spending to the end of January 2017 compared to the approved budget and highlighted any anticipated variations to budget for the full year.
The Senior Finance Officer advised that the expenditure was in line with what had been anticipated. There had been a slight increase in income and less expenditure than planned for.
Agreed – that the report be noted.
1649 / ENVIRONMENTAL PERMIT – APPLICATION FOR VARIATION
The Chief Port Health Inspector submitted a report which advised the Board of an application received from DAMAC Bulk Handling Ltd, Goole to vary the conditions of their Environmental Permit (REF: 13ER15) granted by the Authority for acement handling and storage facility at Stanhope Dock, Goole.
The Board was informed that the DAMAC operation had beensituated at Stanhope Dock for many years. The company had recently submitted an application for an additional similar development on another site nearby. The development would be beneficial to the Port of Gooleand did not require planning permission. There had been no commentsfrom residents received during the consultation period.
A member of the Board queried the arrangements for advertising applications and public consultations relating to environmental permits. The Chief Port Health Inspector explained that the guidance from DEFRA was to advertise such applications on the Port Health Authority website. The Authority had in the past also advertised applications in the local press but it had become very costly.
It was suggested that any applications be sent to local councillors and Members of Parliament so that they were aware of any issues and could respond to queries from residents.
Agreed –
  1. That the application be noted, and
  2. That local ward councillors and Members of Parliament are notified by email of any environmental permit applications received by the Authority.

1650 / LAUNCH OF THE FOOD HYGIENE RATING SCHEME
The Chief Port Health Inspector submitted a report which informed the Board that the Authority would launch the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme on 1 April 2017.
The Chief Port Health Inspector advised the Board that the national Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, administered by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), had proven to be a successful means of raising hygiene standards and providing consumer choice. There were some major food manufacturing companies and restaurants based within the ports that would be brought into the scheme. The four P&O passenger ferries would also be within the scheme. The display of rating scores had been made mandatory in Wales but it was unfortunately not expected to be mandatory in England for some time. The scores received would initially be published on the Authority’s website prior to being available on the (FSA) website.
It was confirmed that the Authority had the resources available to undertake the required food hygiene ratings alongside the existing statutory inspections.
Agreed – that the Board supports the Authority’s application of the scheme.
1651 / QUARTERLY SUMMARY REPORT – NOVEMBER 2016 TO JANUARY 2017
The Chief Port Health Inspector submitted a report which detailed the quarterly summary of the work of the PortHealth Authority in respect of inspections, notifications and investigations undertaken during the period November 2016 to January 2017.
Members of the Board queried the number of incidents of sickness and diarrhoea amongst crew on passenger ferries. The Chief Port Health Inspector explained that the incidents were most probably due to viral infection and not due to poor sanitation conditions.
Agreed – that the update is noted.
1652 / EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC
Agreed – that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the items listed as exempt.
1653 / RISK MANAGEMENT STRATEGY – REVIEW OF RISK ANALYSIS
The Chief Port Health Inspector submitted a report which informed the Board of the outcome of a review of the Authority’s Risk Management Strategy and Risk Analysis carried out by the Chief Port Health Inspector.
A discussion took place around the staffing arrangements, related risks and the potential impact of Brexit on the Authority’s resources.
The Chief Port Health Inspector explained that it was not clear what would happen in terms of importing goods, particularly foodstuffs, and the changes to relevant legislation when the United Kingdom leaves the European Union.
Agreed –
  1. That the Board approves the revised Risk Management Strategy and Risk Analysis, and
  1. That the Chief Port Health Inspector contacts local MPs to express the Board’s concern regarding the potential resource implications for the Authority following UK withdrawal from the European Union.

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