Hyndburn Borough Council

The authority had developed a comprehensive service plan for 2008/2009 which was in accordance with the Service Planning Guidance in the Framework Agreement, and which had received council member approval. The service plan for 2009/2010 was in the final stages of drafting.

Documented policies, procedures and work instructions had been developed and implemented by the authority for the full range of food law enforcement activities. The authority needed to ensure that all relevant documentation is subject to routine and timely review within planned review periods.

The authority had a documented procedure for the authorisation of officers, including a competency matrix which took account of officer qualifications, experience and competency. All officers carrying out food law enforcement activities had been appropriately authorised in line with their individual qualifications, experience and competency.

Records confirmed that all but two of the authorised officers employed by the authority had received adequate Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training as required by the Food Law Code of Practice. The shortfall for the two officers concerned had been identified by the authority’s procedures and steps were being taken to address their training needs.

Database checks confirmed that the service had effective arrangements for ensuring that the food premises database was accurate and kept up to date. There were appropriate systems and procedures in place for database backup and to manage access to ensure security of data.

The authority had 10 food establishments subject to approval under Regulation (EC) 853/2004. File checks confirmed that these had been approved under current legislation in accordance with legal requirements and centrally issued guidance. The service's approved establishment inspection aide-memoire required updating to ensure that officers used references to current legislation.

Complaints about food and food premises had been dealt with effectively, and records of complaint investigations were complete and accurate.

There was clear evidence that the authority was actively participating in local and national sampling programmes. In relation to unsatisfactory samples audit checks confirmed that appropriate follow-up actions had been taken in all cases.

There was evidence of quantitative and qualitative monitoring of inspections, enforcement actions, complaints, sampling and infectious disease investigations against set targets. However, procedures for monitoring needed to be further extended to cover complaints and sampling in more detail.