Agenda item

Cabinet Member: Councillor Dafydd Meurig

To consider the report of the Head of Environment Department

The report of the Head of the Environment Department was presented, which outlined the activities and responsibilities of the Trading Standards Unit, which formed part of the Public Protection Service. A brief description of the nature of the work of the Unit was provided. The changes the Unit had experienced over recent years along with the challenges it had faced, were outlined.

The Senior Manager noted that it was likely the Unit's areas of work had not been discussed at Committees since the time of the foot and mouth outbreak. The report, therefore, provided a good opportunity to raise awareness of the Unit's areas of work and statutory duties that supported agricultural businesses in the County. He highlighted that many fields were specialist fields and that they varied greatly. A request was made for the Committee to consider the priorities of Gwynedd Council - were they Trading Standards (pure) or Animal Health and Welfare. He reiterated that, at present, the Service was only managing to scrape the surface in an attempt to strike a balance between reactive work and proactive work. To date, there had been no complaints and the work would, therefore, proceed; yet he highlighted the unavoidable risk in the event that something were to go amiss.

During the ensuing discussion, the following points were highlighted by individual Members:

·         The cuts to staffing numbers had been excessive

·         More information was needed on the performance of the Unit; that is, did the service address statutory requirements

·         Acknowledged that the officers were doing their best and that there were insufficient resources

·         The report highlighted fundamental values in safeguarding the welfare of people and animals

·         There was a need to collaborate with partners

·         There was a need to consider the impact of Brexit on agriculture

            In response to a question about the effects the cuts would have and how the Unit would avoid failures, the Cabinet Member emphasised that the Unit was coping but had had to adapt its work practices. He explained that the current situation was sufficient but that he did not wish to see further cuts in the field. With the need for specialist staff across the field to avoid risks to the Council, the work had to be done correctly and, although it was coping, the service was losing its robustness.

In response to the comment about the number of service requests (1766), it was noted that not every request was resolved and the Unit had to prioritise.

The Public Protection Manager (Retail) stated that national influences were also challenging and that it was difficult to strike a balance. She noted that the Unit collaborated well with the Police, RSPCA, DEFRA, Vets and others, by focusing on providing advice before offences took place and ensuring that general standards did not fall.  She reiterated that the Unit did not have enforcement powers and that the only fees imposed were in relation to weights and measures.

            It was proposed and seconded to accept the report.

            RESOLVED:

            - to acknowledge the excellent work of the Unit

- to request a more detailed report that would contain data about the Unit's performance (to be included in the Committee's work programme 2018/19)