Hambleton District Council

The Authority had designated lead responsibilities for its local food manufacturers, Approved Premises and licensed butchers� shops to specialist officers who were able to provide food law and technical advice relevant to these businesses. It was evident that officers were observing the Home Authority Principle during the course of enforcement visits, food complaint investigations, follow-up action on unsatisfactory food sampling results and in response to specific enquiries.

The Service�s record keeping arrangements provided clear, well-ordered and sufficiently detailed records of all enforcement activities examined.

The Authority had, until recently, been proactive in developing initiatives to promote food safety and provide advice to businesses. Resource and staffing issues had resulted in a need for the Service to re-prioritise its food safety programme. This had necessitated a temporary reduction in promotional and advisory project work. However, it was evident from Service planning documentation that the Authority had maintained a positive approach to this area of work and that new promotional initiatives were being planned for 2006/2007.