Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council

The authority had produced a comprehensive food service plan for 2008/2009 which included reference to the approval and inspection of establishments subject to approval requirements. The plan was broadly in line with the Service Planning Guidance in the Framework Agreement. However, auditors discussed the benefit of including details of the likely demands on the food enforcement service, with an estimate of staffing resources required, compared with the staff resources available to deliver the service.

The authority had developed and implemented a comprehensive set of documented policies and procedures covering all areas in relation to approved establishment activities. A rolling programme of reviews was in place and the majority of procedures relating to approved establishments had been subject to recent review.

A documented procedure on the authorisation of officers based on their individual qualifications, competency and experience had been developed and implemented by the authority. Officers' training and development needs were identified through the annual performance appraisal scheme process and through regular supervisory interviews. However, it was not always clear from records that officers had received the minimum ten hours ongoing relevant training on food required by the Food Law Code of Practice. Arrangements for the central recording of all training undertaken by officers were discussed, to include training not achieved through formal certificated training courses.

Audit checks confirmed that details of all approved establishments and records of relevant enforcement activity were included on the authority’s database. Changes to the status of approved establishments had been properly notified to the Food Standards Agency.

Approval assessments and decisions had in general been appropriate in respect of establishments subject to approval. Auditors discussed the need to consider the use of conditional approval provisions in appropriate circumstances. Records examined during the audit confirmed that relevant premises had been appropriately re-approved under current hygiene regulations and records of approval notifications had been maintained. Checks of recent inspection reports for approved establishments confirmed that officers were completing a comprehensive aide-memoire covering the key requirements of the legislation, specific to the type of establishment subject to approval.

The authority had a documented sampling policy and procedure and in addition, a food sampling programme had been developed which included products from approved establishments. It was clear from audit checks that appropriate follow-up action had been taken in cases of unsatisfactory sample results, which included the provision of appropriate detailed guidance to the food business operator.

The authority had developed a detailed documented enforcement policy in accordance with official guidance, along with associated procedures. Although there had been no appropriate circumstances to take formal enforcement action in approved establishments in the previous 12 months, it was clear that a graduated approach to enforcement had been adopted by the authority throughout all food law enforcement activities and there had been a number of recent successful prosecutions of food business operators within the district across a range of contraventions of food law.