Councillors digest complex food laws

The impact of new food regulations is being discussed this morning.

The impact of new food regulations is set to be discussed by Rotorua district councillors tomorrow.

The impact of the changes is one of several items on the agenda for the Rotorua Lakes Council operations and monitoring committee meeting, held in the Council Chamber from 9.30am.

Compliance solutions manager Neven Hill, who prepared the report, said the new processes which were introduced by the Government were significantly different and more complex than the old food registration system.

He said the council had been making local food operators aware of the upcoming changes.

"Given the scope of the changes introduced by the Act it is clear that additional resources will be required but this will be the subject of another report including fee-setting at a later date."

Mr Hill said a central part of the new Act was introducing a sliding scale where businesses that were a higher risk from a food safety point would operate under more stringent food safety requirements. The Act came into force in March with a 36-month transition period.

Councillors will also be given an update on the financial performance of the council to the end of February, progress towards the 2030 goals and an operational report.

A report by finance manager Paul Sands said the council remained on target to deliver the budget set for year one of the 10-year plan.

The council's operating budget had improved by $300,000 to be $1.7m better than budget, which was forecast to reduce to about $700,000 at year end.

One item, Grow Rotorua's report, will be discussed behind closed doors.