Food Standards Agency publishes local authority audit report for Denbighshire County Council

Friday 26 September 2003

Ref: WA35/03NS

Food Standards Agency Wales today published an in-depth report on the food law enforcement services carried out by officers in the Public Protection and Regulatory Services Section of Denbighshire County Council.

The Authority had made considerable progress in improving the quality and effectiveness of food hygiene enforcement, and was making clear and comprehensive records of the activity carried out.

Further work is required to make sure that the necessary procedures are in place to ensure consistency across all areas of The Standard. In particular, the Authority's database did not include all food businesses in the area, food premises inspections were not being carried out at the minimum frequencies required, and information relating to past inspections was found to be inaccurate.

A full overview of the audit findings is provided in the report executive summary. The report, including an action plan to address the audit findings, which the Authority has developed in conjunction with Food Standards Agency officials, is available below.

Notes to editors

Local authority audits are carried out as part of the Framework Agreement on local authority food law enforcement, which came into effect on 1 April 2001.

Local authorities are audited against the Framework Agreement 'Standard' which sets out the full range of their food law enforcement activity.

The audits look at how local authority enforcement officers carry out their UK food law enforcement responsibilities.

This gives the Agency an overview of the measures put in place by the local authority to protect local consumers and an opportunity to suggest what, if any, improvements are needed.

Copies of the report have also been placed in the libraries of both the Houses of Parliament, the Library of the Welsh Assembly Government, the British Library and the Copyright Libraries Agency.