Food law enforcement plan

Home Authority Principle and Primary Authority Partnerships

Since 2014-15, the Authority acted as the nominated Primary Authority for food safety and standards matters for CKs Supermarkets Ltd. The Company operates 25 stores throughout South and West Wales regulated by 5 enforcing authorities. Six of these stores are situated in Pembrokeshire.

The arrangement was the first statutory partnership to be formed between the Authority and business under the provisions of the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008, as amended.

In March 2017 a second partnership was set up with the Seren Collection Ltd who operate a hotel, a restaurant and a takeaway kiosk in Pembrokeshire and restaurant in Swansea, and in April 2019 a third partnership was established with Hwyel Dda University y Health Board.
As Primary Authority for the businesses, the Authority has accepted responsibility for providing ‘assured advice’ for application across the company’s entire operation, which in turn other Enforcing Authorities are required to have regard to when inspecting any of their premises and when considering any possible enforcement action.

The full cost for any work undertaken by the Authority, under the terms of the partnership, are met by the businesses, so no additional financial burden is placed on the Authority and ultimately the public purse.
In line with changes planned following the introduction of the Enterprise Act 2016, the existing Primary Authority Partnership Scheme was replaced with effect from 1st October 2017. The above existing partnerships moved across to the new Scheme, and they are now entitled to advice for all the Public Protection regulatory functions within Pembrokeshire County Council’s remit.

Further opportunities to establish Primary Authority partnerships will continue to be considered, recognising the mutual benefits to businesses, the Authority and ultimately in protecting consumers. However, although the service is provided on a cost recovery basis, capacity to provide further partnerships is now low in view of the need to meet other service demands.

Under the new Scheme, businesses which trade in both England and Wales, such as Pembrokeshire manufacturers supplying products outside Wales would need to have partnerships in both nations in order to ensure Primary Authority coverage across devolved policy areas,
The Department will need to balance its commitment to the three Primary Authority Partners during the implementation of the FSA LA Recovery Plan, also due to the need to allocate the scarce staff resources to meeting the expectations of the Plan.