East Northamptonshire
Wednesday 25 September 2002
12-14 February 2002
The Environmental Health Division was being re-structured at the time of audit and the Commercial Team was under temporary management. Nevertheless, there was a clear commitment to provide an effective and balanced food enforcement service.
The Authority had recently introduced new documented procedures covering most activities
undertaken and was actively addressing many of the issues raised in this report.
A backlog of food premises inspections had been identified but these were being prioritised and, where unsatisfactory conditions had been found, appropriate action was routinely followed through to a conclusion.
The Authority needs to keep comprehensive records of its activities and to ensure that when formal action is taken the necessary procedures are followed. There is a related need to introduce effective internal monitoring of the Food Enforcement Service to ensure that its actions
conform with the Standard and with its own policies and procedures.
The Authority's Strengths
Follow-up Actions to Food Premises Inspections
The Authority had adopted a graduated approach to enforcement and was routinely revisiting premises where problems had been identified during programmed inspections. Officers ensured that unsatisfactory conditions and food handling practices were remedied using formal action where appropriate.
Key Areas for Improvement:
Record Keeping
There were gaps in the Authority’s records relating to a number of enforcement areas. This information must be systematically and routinely recorded to provide information for subsequent inspectors, to enable appropriate enforcement decisions to be taken and to permit effective internal monitoring.
Internal Monitoring
The internal monitoring procedure needs to be expanded to cover all areas of enforcement activity and then fully implemented so that the Authority can ensure that it conforms with the Standard and with its own policies and procedures.
Service of Improvement Notices
There were a number of problems identified with the drafting and service of improvement notices that indicated the need for additional staff training. These issues also demonstrated the need for effective internal monitoring of formal enforcement actions.
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