Agenda item

E Walker introduced the report to members. She said there had been a slight slippage this quarter on hygiene inspections but this was due to staff levels and the time of year. Two trainee Environmental Health officers have been recruited in January 2017 which has reduced the vacancy rate in the department. The Primary Authority Partnerships have been dissolved and are now with Luton Borough Council.
48 people were trained in fire safety awareness and 75% of pest control contracts have been renewed.

Councillor Riddick referred to 3.2 in the report. Did the investigation into legionnaires reveal anything?

E Walker said it was brought to the council’s attention because the person infected had spent a lot of leisure time in water in the borough. It was unclear where it was contracted but part of the council’s role is to look at all the possibilities to ensure it is not spread further.

Councillor Riddick asked what type of business was closed down for poor food hygiene and can they be named.

E Walker said it was a takeaway business and was not happy to release the name as it was a voluntary closure.

Councillor Riddick referred to 4.5 and the waste fixed penalty notices. Is this returning significant income?

D Austin said this was new legislation and can be used in small fly tipping offences and it is more pragmatic to issue a fine. Serious and serial fly tippers will still proceed to court. There are no fines to report in quarter 3 but in the quarter 4 update, there will be news on a successful prosecution on a serial fly tipper.

Councillor Riddick referred to 5.4 and said he had noticed vans pulling up and letting several dogs run loose on Boxmoor Trust land and there is public access here. This brings the issue of dog fouling. Is there anything the council can do?

D Austin said he would take the comments on board. We do have a dog warden and a good relationship with the Boxmoor Trust.

Councillor Anderson asked for an update on the Hand Arm Vibration prosecution.

D Austin said the case is ongoing. We are now compliant but this prosecution relates to historical cases.

Councillor Riddick asked if there was progress with recruiting and retaining employees.

E Walker said they had recruited two new trainees and we are growing our own talent. There are also a couple of posts being advertised now.

Councillor Riddick said the problem with trainees is they take a while to train and a more experienced officer has to help them. It is a difficult balancing act.

D Austin said it was part of a solution for the medium term. We are trying to emphasise what a great place Dacorum is work with the new building and flexible working.

Councillor Riddick asked if there was a way of retaining the staff once they’d completed their training.

D Austin said they are tied for a fixed term after completing their training. If they leave before this period ends, they are required to pay back the cost of the training on a sliding scale.

Councillor Hicks said it’s great to recruit trainees but it seems a very reactive process. It should be more proactive and recruit these trainees before it reaches a critical point.

D Austin said hindsight was a wonderful thing. The staff that left gave the appropriate notice period and we have tried to recruit staff but no one was suitable.

Councillor Hicks referred to cold stores and their increased hygiene.

E Walker said it is a more complex process and places with large volumes of food passing through are at a higher risk so they must adhere to stricter hygiene rules.

Councillor Anderson said in 2000, the planning department was almost on its knees being so short staffed so school leavers were taken on and some of these still work at the council. Trainees have worked in the past.

Councillor C Wyatt-Lowe mentioned the problem of chewing gum on the pavements. Does this pose a health risk?

E Walker said in terms of health and safety, the risk is fairly low as it is on the floor and most diseases are spread through the air or through faecal matter.

Councillor C Wyatt-Lowe asked if the pavements are cleaned with a disinfectant or antiseptic.

C Thorpe said they were cleaned with water and mechanical brushes.

Councillor Riddick said it was very difficult to remove chewing gum.

C Thorpe said it was extremely difficult. There are specialist contractors that can freeze the chewing gum to remove it but this is very expensive.

Councillor C Wyatt-Lowe asked if there was a by law that covered spitting and chewing gum.

D Austin said there is a Public Space Protection Order that covers the Old Town, the pedestrianised Town Centre and Water Gardens. This will give officers appropriate powers to tackle this sort of behaviour. However, it will be resource intensive to catch perpetrators.

Councillor G Sutton said spitting was one of his bug bears but unfortunately, people see it as acceptable as it is shown on the TV during sports matches. He said the council should take a lead on this and write to sports clubs to ask them to stop it.

Councillor C Wyatt-Lowe asked if the Public Space Protection Order specifically mentions spitting.

D Austin said it includes it and all behaviour that causes distress to others.

Councillor C Wyatt-Lowe said it is the role of councillors to set the tone for the town and should run a public campaign to change the culture. Councils have successfully tackled dog fouling in this way.

Councillor Fisher asked what was involved in the fire safety training.

E Walker said all fire wardens undertook the training which was led by a corporate health and safety officer. They were trained to use fire extinguishers and learnt appropriate fire behaviours.

Councillor hicks referred back to chewing gum and asked if the focus could be borough wide and not just focus on the Town Centre.

D Austin said there seemed to be some confusion over legislation. The behaviours experienced in the Town Centre brought about the Public Space Protection Order. He said that the council could look into developing a chewing gum campaign across the borough.

Outcome

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