North Dorset District Council

The authority had produced a Food Safety Service Plan for 2008/2009. This had been approved by the authority's cabinet of councillors and met the requirements of the Service Planning Guidance in the Framework Agreement on Food Law Enforcement. An annual performance review had also been carried out.

There was evidence of an effective control system for the authority’s documented food service policies and procedures. These had been recently reviewed and a programme had been drawn up to implement future reviews.

The authority had produced a documented procedure for the authorisation of all its officers. This included the means by which officers’ competence was assessed prior to authorisation.

Officer training and qualification records were comprehensive and up to date. It was confirmed that officers involved in the approval and other food law interventions at approved establishments had received adequate training and were appropriately qualified and authorised.

Audit checks, specific to approved establishments, confirmed that the database contained accurate records of these establishments.

From the files examined, all premises requiring approval by the authority had been approved or re-approved since January 2006 and file records contained the approval documentation and appropriate correspondence with food business operators. In addition, it was confirmed that officers were carrying out comprehensive inspections of approved establishments at the frequencies set out within the Food Law Code of Practice. Sufficiently detailed records of inspection findings were maintained and reports of inspection or letters were provided to food business operators following inspections in all files examined.

The authority had developed a procedure for the investigation of food complaints. Audit checks indicated that recent complaints and referrals received in relation to approved establishments had, in all cases examined, been fully investigated in accordance with the Food Law Code of Practice.

The authority had a documented sampling policy and procedure to reflect local and national sampling priorities. In addition, an annual sampling programme had been developed. The policy outlined the authority’s general commitment to food sampling at manufacturing premises including approved establishments.

A council enforcement policy had been developed by the authority which contained the Food Enforcement Policy as an addendum. Auditors noted an up to date and detailed food enforcement procedure, which included documented procedural guidance for all formal enforcement options relating to approved establishments.

The authority had a documented internal monitoring procedure to verify its conformance with legislation and centrally issued guidance. Although it had undertaken a programme of qualitative monitoring of inspections including approved establishments, the authority would benefit by reviewing and expanding these activities to include monitoring arrangements for all food law enforcement activities relating to approved establishments. It was clear that quantitative performance monitoring against inspection targets was being undertaken and that discussions were undertaken between officers and at team meetings to promote consistent enforcement.

No recommendations for improvement regarding the service’s approach to food business approvals activities have been identified in this report.