Broadland District Council

The authority had developed and implemented the comprehensive Food Safety Service Plan 2009/2010, which was fully in line with the Service Planning Guidance in the Framework Agreement on Local authority Food Law Enforcement. The service plan had been approved by elected Members. The Plan contained useful and detailed appendices, including a work plan with service objectives, tasks and targets for all areas of food law enforcement. The plan was subject to regular review by senior managers and council members and there was evidence that any variations from previous plans had been identified in the current plan and were being addressed.

The authority had developed and implemented documented policies and procedures covering most areas of its food law enforcement responsibilities. There was a system in place for planned and ad hoc reviews of these documents.

The authority had a documented procedure for the authorisation of officers based on a competency matrix, which took account of individual officer qualifications, experience and competency. The schedule of authorisation was up to date and covered the full range of food safety legislation under which officers were authorised.

In general, records confirmed that officers were receiving the minimum continuing professional development (CPD) training required under the Food Law Code of Practice. While there was evidence that officers’ individual training needs were being identified, these had not been drawn together with team training needs to provide a comprehensive documented training programme. It was also not clear that officers had received relevant specialist training in the more complex processes in the types of food businesses in the district, including approved establishments. The authority had recognised the need to provide further training for officers in auditing and assessment of HACCP-based food safety management systems.

Audit checks confirmed that the authority had effective systems for ensuring that the food premises database was up to date and complete, and that data relating to inspections and other food law enforcement activities was accurate. There were effective procedures for database backup and to ensure secure access.

Database reports requested before and during the audit confirmed that the database was capable of providing reliable monitoring data to the Food Standards Agency, including information on National Indicator 184. Some anomalies in risk scoring were noted and discussed and it was confirmed that these would be rectified.

Audit checks confirmed that the authority was in general implementing an effective inspection programme and was prioritising inspection of high risk premises. Although significant numbers of unrated food premises were identified, it was established that the majority of these were low risk childminders and the authority had developed a project to identify those that required an intervention on a risk basis.

Some areas for improvement were identified in relation to the appropriate risk rating of premises following inspections and the need to keep records of the rationale for reducing premises risk rating. Inspection aide-memoires required review to include appropriate prompts covering the relevant legal requirements for all types of food premises, including approved establishments, and to allow for recording of officers’ assessment of food business compliance, including HACCP requirements.

The authority should ensure that all establishments subject to approval requirements are re-assessed and where appropriate, re-approved to confirm compliance with Regulation (EC) No. 853/2004.

The authority had adopted a regional enforcement policy and had developed and implemented a range of associated enforcement procedures. In relation to hygiene improvement notices (HIN), audit checks confirmed that the notices had been served where appropriate, mostly as a result of recurring non-compliance. However, some improvements are required to ensure consistent and timely checks on compliance and that appropriate enforcement actions are taken in cases of failure to comply with notices, in accordance with legal and Food Law Code of Practice requirements.

There was evidence of quantitative monitoring and some qualitative monitoring of different aspects of the service. A procedure had been developed on the internal monitoring of food hygiene interventions, however this needed to be expanded to fully reflect the internal monitoring activities that take place in practice. The procedure should ensure that all food law enforcement activities are subject to effective internal monitoring and records of all internal monitoring should be maintained.