No. | Item | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Question from: County Councillor Gareth Ratcliffe Subject: Scores on the doors process
Question:
Following comments from local businesses that since the pandemic there is a perception that PCC have changed the criteria of assessing food businesses and are scoring lower. This is despite the same processes as before the pandemic on logging data. Also in some cases businesses have invested heavily in to new equipment and improving processes in ensuring they can get the maximum score of 5 when visited by EHO. Whist I fully understand the need and total support the process to ensure food safety is kept to the highest standard. Following the comments I reviewed Hay-on-Wye’s scores and since the pandemic it does show a drop in scores that have been inspected compared to the ones before. Pre pandemic scores 1 to 3 = 8% 4 = 25% 5 = 67% Post pandemic 1 to 3 = 35% 4 = 25% 5 = 41% This shows a drop in the 5 scores of 26% and an increase in the lower scores 1 to 3 of 27% Can the portfolio holder confirm if there have been any changes to the inspection criteria and system and what support are PCC offering to businesses to help them increase their scores. It would also be helpful for a briefing for members to understand the process around the scores on the doors and how we can support our businesses in our communities.
Minutes: Response by the Cabinet Member:
Thank you for your question regarding food hygiene ratings.
I can confirm that there have been no changes to the scoring system applied when calculating the food hygiene rating score for a food business.
The inspection programme for food hygiene was paused during the Covid-19 pandemic, whilst the Environmental Health Officers work was focussed on protecting care homes and the vulnerable across the County. A recovery plan is now underway in line with Food Standards Agency requirements. Unfortunately, Environmental Health Officers are witnessing a notable decline in standards in some businesses. This may be a result of the lack of recent intervention and support from the Environmental Health team. This situation appears to be consistent with what other local authorities are experiencing across Wales.
Whilst Officers do provide support to business start-ups, through telephone contact and informative emails, staff recruitment and retention issues have resulted in the Environmental Health team being unable to deliver the non-statutory but still important bespoke food hygiene advice to businesses. That said, when carrying out routine inspections, Officers clearly outline the areas that the business have been scored down on and what they need to do to improve their rating as well as offering best practice advice.
If there are specific concerns around premises in the Hay-on-Wye area that you wish to discuss further, please don’t hesitate in contacting the Principal Environmental Health Officer.
Finally, I have asked that a briefing on the work of Environmental Health Officers is offered to all Members. The team would welcome this opportunity and a request to be included in the forward programme of member briefings has been made.
|