Oswestry Borough Council

It was clear that the Authority supported the Home Authority Principle (HAP) and had informal arrangements in place with three local food businesses. File checks carried out during the audit confirmed that the Authority was considering the HAP when carrying out food safety work and, where necessary, was liaising with other local authorities. Where home authority referrals had been received from other local authorities these had been dealt with appropriately.

Records examined showed that the Authority�s officers were generally providing clear and comprehensive advice to business following routine inspections, as part of complaint investigations and in response to unsatisfactory food sample results.

The Authority had also been actively involved in a number of advice to business and food safety promotion activities. This included an initiative to develop and implement food hygiene training at a local college for children with learning difficulties, for which the Authority had received a grant from the Food Standards Agency.