Issue - meetings

Report of the Director (Environment and Planning) as part of the programme of frontline service reviews.

Members received a report about the food hygiene rating scheme and pest control services as part of the programme of frontline service reviews. In response to members’ questions, the following points were noted:

·         94.3% of businesses were inspected in 2016/17

·         The time taken to inspect a new business was dependent upon whether or not they approached the council for advice prior to commencing operation

·         Officers worked closely with those food businesses achieving less than a level 3

·         The pest control service focussed on pests that had a public health significance

·         Fees for certain pest control services were reduced or waived for those on some benefits

·         Our pest control contractor carried out three visits as a general rule, and after those visits may refer the matter back to the council to investigate whether there was a wider issue.

It was requested that other areas of the Environmental Health service be reviewed in future, for example noise and pollution.