Cornwall County Council

The Authority used a computerised database system for recording all food law enforcement activity and for compiling monitoring returns to the Agency. Arrangements were in place to ensure that the database was backed up regularly. However, the Authority�s food premises database did not appear to include all the food premises in the County.

It appeared that the database system was capable of providing all of the information required by the monitoring returns. However, incorrect coding and problems with data entry had resulted in inaccuracies within the returns. In particular, these had lead to inaccurate food premises and risk rating profiles, which had affected the Authority�s ability to develop a consistent and complete inspection programme. The Authority had started to take action to address many of these problems prior to the audit.

The Authority did not have documented procedures in place to internally monitor the information held on the database and to validate the monitoring returns.