The Portfolio Holder for Direct Services presented the report which provided an overview of the proposed Environmental Protection team’s consultancy scheme. The scheme would recover reasonable costs from businesses for bespoke consultancy advice. The charge would be based on cost recovery and would be calculated on the average cost that the Council currently incurred for the provision of the service.

The Direct Services Advisory Committee had noted the same report and recommended it for approval.

Public Sector Equality Duty

Members noted that consideration had been given to impacts under the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Resolved:  That

a)     the Environmental Health Partnership recover their resource costs from businesses for Environmental Protection consultancy work; and

b)     a minimum fee be charged of £108 plus VAT and a standard photocopying charge for 2 hours work, and £72 per hour thereafter and a standard photocopying charge (cost recovery charge only.)