Agenda item

C Troy introduced the report to members. He said there has been a slippage in Q1 for food hygiene inspections. There is a staff shortage and the current officers have been working overtime to get inspections up to date. Over the year, it is hoped that the department will be back on target. Legionella has been found in a water cooler in Maylands Business Centre. Legionella is an aerosol borne bacteria and it is hoped more work will be done on this in the future.

The department has carried out a ‘Love you Community’ day which aims to educated people and helps identify bad behaviour or practices. As a result, 5 tonnes of fly tipped waste was collected, 19 reports to Herts County Council for highways issues, 6 incidents of graffiti removed and there was a lot of engagement with residents.

In relation to corporate health and safety, further work has been carried out to control hand arm vibration. 

Councillor Birnie referred to paragraph 2.1 of the report and asked why agency recruitment had not worked out.

C Troy said a number of agencies were contacted and they could not provide the calibre of staff needed. It was hoped that some staff would join the department from one agency but their personal circumstances changed and could no longer fill the role. Staff must pass a DBC assessment and have to be monitored by other members of staff for 2-3 weeks.

Councillor Birnie asked the officer if he was confident that inspections will be completed. He said there were some issues in his ward regarding vermin.

C Troy said that he expected food hygiene inspections in Q2 to be behind but hoped to see the work caught up by Q3. There aren’t that many complaints about vermin so that is covered. If vermin are detected in a food premises kitchens, they are immediately closed down. Vermin in yards is more complicated because of multiple ownership and a lot of work is done around changing people’s behaviours.

Referring to yards Councillor Birnie asked if officers revisit the premises even after the vermin problem has been resolved.

C Troy said the issues can’t always be resolved. Education is a key factor, if this does not resolve the issue then enforcement action will be taken. Officers will try and revisit.

Councillor Riddick asked if there was a morale problem within the department with staff shortages and agency workers.

C Troy said he accepted this could be an issue particularly as officers have left and there are problems recruiting. The EHO’s working for DBC are some of the lowest paid in Hertfordshire so it is difficult to attract staff. Officers have been working overtime to complete inspections and mentor agency workers. We have tried to recruit three times but unfortunately, there is no other option at the moment.

Councillor Riddick asked about the recent headline in the Gazette where two Chinese restaurants in Hemel Hempstead had been given a hygiene rating of 0.

C Troy said these premises were voluntarily closed. If there was a serious problem, officers can take immediate action. If they close voluntarily then the issues can be resolved quicker. 65% of food premises in Dacorum have a hygiene rating of 4 or 5. Sometimes, it can be frustrating as progress can be made with a premise and then management can change and progress lost.

Councillor Riddick referred to the HMO having to be brought back up to standard. Is the HMO recharged for the work?

C Troy said they were.

Councillor Fisher asked if HMO’s were inspected regularly or only when complaints were made.

C Troy said there were about 600 HMO’s in Dacorum but true estimates are probably much higher. Officers only come across them if a complaint had been made. At the moment, HMO’s with 3 stories and 5 families are licensable.

Councillor Fisher asked if it was publicised that it is possible to complain to DBC about HMOs.

C Troy said the website gives information but it isn’t actively showing how to complain. There is a lot of national coverage as it is a big issue for government. It is something to look into.

Councillor Anderson suggested half a page in the Dacorum Digest.

C Troy said there are government proposals to extend licensing to cover all HMOs. If this was to happen, the government would give local authorities extra resources to deal with it.

Councillor Anderson asked if inspections and hygiene ratings are now all one process.

C Troy said the Food Standards Agency brought the hygiene rating process into the food inspection process.

Councillor Anderson asked if the Council had been prosecuted for hand arm vibration.

C Troy said the investigation is still ongoing and awaiting the outcome.

Outcome

That the Strategic Planning and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee noted the report.