SAFETY officials in York have criticised plans to make local businesses pay for poor inspections, saying charges would damage the city’s economic recovery.
The Government is looking to change the law, so the Health and Safety Executive can recoup costs from businesses that seriously breach standards, and local councils are being asked if they too want to be able to charge.
But City of York Council is set to oppose the idea, saying penalising small businesses could damage York’s prosperity.
In a written report, the council’s food and safety unit manager, Sean Suckling, said most inspections of local businesses identified breaches, and said if the council followed Government charging guidelines, businesses could be made to pay £500 for a four-hour inspection.
Mr Suckling said: “This charge is a significant amount of money, especially for smaller companies. Charging businesses in this way is also at odds with the council’s priorities, in particular the priority to create jobs and grow the economy. Charging companies for our regulatory work could have a detrimental effect, which in turn could impact on employment opportunities.”
He said that the charges would help fund the Health and Safety Executive, but said: “The impact on the prosperity of the city could be more significant.”
The Employment Minister, Chris Grayling, launched a national consultation in March, looking to overhaul the health and safety system in Britain.
Allowing charges for inspections is suggested in the national consultation on the grounds that any costs involved in serious cases should be borne by the businesses rather than the taxpayer.
The consultation document says: “A cost recovery principle will provide a deterrent to those who would otherwise fail to meet their obligations and provide a level playing field for those who do.”
Coun Janet Looker, City of York Council’s cabinet member for communities and neighbourhood services, will consider Mr Suckling’s report at a meeting at the Guildhall on Tuesday.
Council’s safety stance welcomed
HEALTH and safety has gained itself a bit of a bad reputation, thanks to a few overzealous councils insisting that conkers and even school sports are dangerous. National tabloids have queued up to dub such organisations the ‘Elf ‘n safety police’, heaping ridicule upon them.
Which is a shame. Because while sometimes health and safety does go too far, it is nevertheless an important attempt to ensure our health and well-being.
Nevertheless, too many health and safety regulations can lead to businesses tying themselves in knots to try to comply with the rules.
Firms in York, therefore, will welcome news that officials at the city council have recommended opposing a suggestion by the Government that local authorities should be able to charge businesses for health and safety inspections, where firms turn out to be in breach of the regulations.
The council should be congratulated on its stance. Companies which are flouting the health and safety laws need to take action to put things right, but charging them on top of this for the inspection which revealed the shortcomings is unnecessary. The cost could be up to £500 for a four-hour inspection. And since most inspections reveal breaches of one kind or another, most local businesses would end up having to pay.
In times of financial difficulty, as we’re struggling to escape from recession, that is the last thing local businesses need.
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