Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillor Judy Kelly. Councillor Graham Horn attended in her place.

Councillor Lynn Allen declared a personal interest as a member of the Licensing Committee and remained in the meeting during discussion of the items.

It was confirmed that all items of business would be considered in public.

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 January 2010 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. It was noted that a briefing note/information requested by Members in respect of the Budget Proposal Report for 2010/2011 was still outstanding (item 5).

The Committee received the final report on Planning Enforcement – Construction and use of Detached Out-Building (Homes in Back Gardens).

The Chairman thanked officers on behalf of the Committee, for a very informative and constructive report.

Resolved

That the Committee endorse the final report of the review and delegated authority to the Chairman of the Committee, in consultation with officers, to update the review based on any changes which may be required before its submission to Cabinet.

In consultation with the Chairman recommendation 6b contained in the final report had to be amended to include the correct legislation.  The wording originally agreed and as amended is set out below.

RESPOC agreed Recommendation 6b as follows:-

‘Changes to the schedule of exempt buildings schedule under Regulation 9, of Schedule 2, Class VI (small detached buildings) of the Building Regulations Act 2000 to reduce it to 20 sq. metres.’

Building Control have amended to read

‘Changes to Class VI ‘Small Detached Buildings’ of Part II ‘Control of Building Work’ of the Statutory Instrument 2000 No. 2531 ‘The Building Regulations 2000’ to remove the option for uncontrolled detached buildings with a floor area in excess of 15  sq. metres.’

Witness Session – Illegal Cosmetics and Illegally Imported Foods – Border Controls and Wholesale/Retail

The Chairman welcomed the following witnesses:

• Sue Pollitt, Divisional Trading Standards Officer, LBH
• Shabeg Nagra, Port Health Manager, LBH
• Oliver Darius, Principal Environmental Officer, LBH
• Peggy Law, Consumer protection Manager, LBH
• Viv Pullha , Officer from the UK Border Agency  (Freight)
• Joanne Kingham, Officer from the UK Border Agency  (Freight)
• Peter Howard, Officer from the UK Border Agency  (The Channels)

The Chairman invited officers to focus on the key issues that were faced by each department in respect of Illegal Cosmetics and Illegally Imported Foods – Border Controls and Wholesale/Retail. In general, the Committee wished officers to focus on whether the issue of illegally imported food was a growing problem, if so what could be done to negate the problem and what measure could be taken in the future.

The Need to be more unpredictable

Officers from the UK Border Agency (Heathrow) (UKBA) advised that it had been identified that there was a need for an element of unpredictability when checking imported goods. That there needed to be a varied approach to scheduling checks in order to prevent importers knowing when detection processes were being undertaken.  Port Health Hillingdon currently had specific sheds allocated to specific importers, with working hours limited to midnight (call out cover after midnight). Port Health was therefore restricted in initiating the element of unpredictability. UKBA had a dedicated team which worked on a 24 hour basis and for this reason were in a position to be unpredictable in their checks. Consignments were sometimes put on hold to allow for rotation.

Officers from Port Health added that there was no budget to fund a dedicated out-of-hours team and Port Health did not have the legal powers to seize goods. UKBA had the legal powers to carry out the Product of Animal Origin (POAO) function, which was why Port Health would notify UKBA to follow-up. 

Would the use of technology be helpful in the future?

Officers responded that mobile x-ray machines were currently being trialed by Port UKBA. The x-ray machines easily detected bottled products and concealments of POAS within boxes of food products. The use of dogs had also been recently introduced to detect POAOs within freight, under ‘Operation Codex’.

Are every flights arriving in Terminal 3 checked?

Officers explained that it was not possible for every flight to be checked and therefore checks were risk based.

What is the knowledge and training regime for officers?

It was noted that officers from UKBA received legal basic training but most was gained from on-the-job training. Knowledge in respect of source commodity was intelligence led, due to limited resources.

Port Health currently have links around Europe, does UKBA have the same?

Officers responded that UKBA did not currently have a link with Europe.

The Committee noted that it may be helpful for UKBA to develop a link with Europe, as that operated by Port Health.

Officers advised that UKBA dealt with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

The Committee considered extracts of items in the Forward Plan for the period of February 2010 to April 2010. Members requested officers to circulate copies of the following Cabinet Member Decisions reports for information:

·        CCTV Strategy

·        Winter Service Plan

·        Rights of Way Improvement Plan

Resolved – That items on the Forward Plan be noted.

The Committee considered the Work Programme and decided to cancel the meeting on 13^th April 2010, as no items were likely to be reported to the meeting on this date.

Resolved – That the Work Programme be revised to reflect the Committee meeting on 13^th April will not now be required.