Newry and Mourne

The Council was taking decisions on enforcement that were in accordance with its enforcement policies and centrally issued guidance. There was evidence that the Council was prepared to use the range of powers available, and was adopting a graduated approach towards enforcement, in order to ensure that food businesses in the Council's area achieved compliance with required legal standards.

There was some variation between the level of record keeping of food hygiene and food standards activities. The records of food hygiene activities were, in general, comprehensive in nature and provided details of inspections and investigations, subsequent follow-up action and a history of actions taken to achieve compliance. The records of food standards activities were less comprehensive, however there was evidence that where instances of non-compliance were found appropriate action had been taken to ensure compliance was achieved.

The Council had recently introduced a documented internal monitoring procedure and there was evidence of the specified qualitative checks being conducted. The procedure did not however cover monitoring of formal enforcement actions. In addition all appropriate officers were not included in this monitoring process. There was also evidence of quantitative checks relevant to food law enforcement being conducted.

The Council's scheme of delegated powers was not fully documented and unclear. In practice however delegated powers to issue legal proceedings and formal cautions were not exercised and the Council took such decisions.