To receive a verbal update from the Environmental Health and Licensing Manager.
Minutes:
The Committee received an update on the work undertaken by the Environmental Health and Licensing team during the 21/22 municipal year.
The work of the Environmental Health and Licensing team continued to provide services relating to the Council’s statutory responsibilities which were primarily aimed at protecting public health & safety, environmental control, prevention of crime and disorder and protecting the vulnerable. Across the service officers were responsible for the licensing of a range of activities with approximately 900 active licences, registrations and consents currently active within Surrey Heath.
Animal activity premises licensing
There were currently 40 animal activity premises licences within the borough including riding establishments, animal boarders/day care, dog breeders, pet sales and the performance and exhibition of animals. Depending on the risk rating of the premises a licence would run for 1 to 3 years in accordance with Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) statutory guidance. A vet was also required to accompany the officer on visits to riding establishments and dog breeders. Enquiries and complaints relating to these licensed activities were responded to by officers and premises visits were carried out as required including out of hours visits.
Covid-19
Covid-19 continued to be a significant area of additional work across Environmental Health (EH) & Licensing providing support and guidance to businesses and event organisers on compliance with Covid risk assessments and controls, including the introduction of covid passes.
In conjunction with Economic Development a survey asked businesses what help they required with Covid risk assessments and as a result the offer of one to one coaching had been made to businesses on carrying out effective risk assessments for their workplaces.
Furthermore, in 21/22 officers had been carrying out face-to-face Covid contact tracing visits to residents who had failed to engage with the Contact Tracing Service. In total 120 visits had been carried out by officers to date including at weekends.
Food Safety and Health and Safety
The food safety and health and safety work of the team was reported to this Committee in the annual service plans in October.
Following the approval of the Food Safety and the Health and Safety Service Plans, the identified priorities for 21/22 had been followed with a focus on activities which were of a greater risk. Following the easing of Covid-related restrictions, investigations had now been undertaken in response to complaints and food poisoning & workplace accident notifications. Food hygiene standards in food businesses remained high with 97.4% of food businesses rated satisfactory, good or very good and customer satisfaction levels with those who received food and safety visits was high. 95% of businesses had reported that they had been treated fairly and 98%: that the officer was polite, helpful and knowledgeable. Where contraventions were identified there was a graduated approach to enforcement with formal action as a last resort.
Pollution Control
Complaints about noise, light, smoke, rubbish & pest infestations continued to be a large area of work with approximately 400 complaints per year investigated by officers.
Work continued to be undertaken to assess contaminated land sites andresponded to land search enquiries and planning and licensing consultations on likely polluting impacts. Officers also carried out routine air quality monitoring and carried out the environmental permitting of 24 prescribed polluting processes including: Dry Cleaners ; Petrol stations ; Pet Food Manufacturer ; Mobile Crusher ; Vehicle refinishers.
Following questions and comments by Members, it was reaffirmed that following an inspection, poor food hygiene provision or found infestations would be reflected in a premise’s food hygiene rating. If a prosecution was pursued, the process would take place in the public domain and publicity would be sought in order to deter poor compliance by other premises. It was noted that in future Ward Members would be notified of formal action against food premises, in their wards, following food safety inspections.
The Committee were advised that face to face contact tracing took place when positive Covid-19 cases couldn’t be contacted electronically or via the telephone by the national track and trace service or by Surrey County Council by electronic means.
Members also acknowledged that the Council licensed 2 dog breeders within the borough under the animal activity licensing regulations. During the pandemic it had become harder to identify commercial breeders amongst the backdrop of large volumes of puppy sales. However, Members were advised that dog-walking was not a licensable activity.
Members thanked the Licensing and Environmental Health teams for their continued valuable work; especially under the difficult circumstances of the pandemic.
RESOLVED that the update be noted