Directorate of Planning and Development
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CHARTER MARK

Following nominations from members of the public Charter Mark submissions have been made by three services of the Directorate Building Control (who last year were Highly Commended), Park and Ride and the Town Centre Tourist Information Centre. Assessors will visit each service during the summer before results are announced in the autumn.

PLANNING POLICY

THE TRINITY PROJECT

The main building works contract for the construction of the Foyer has now started at the former church with site hoardings and scaffolding being erected. Inside, work has commenced on the foundations for the steel frame that will support the three floors of accommodation. It is anticipated that the frame will be delivered in sections in July and will take a week to erect.

The Project's Delivery Group is now concentrating its efforts on assembling the management systems necessary for the smooth and effective running of the Foyer. These will include referral procedures, quality standards and finalising agreements with partners.

The Trinity Project is participating in a pilot scheme to set quality standards for Foyers in conjunction with The Foyer Federation and Kent TEC. If this pilot is successful it will be implemented nationwide, putting Maidstone at the forefront of provision for young people.

The adjoining park has now been temporarily closed to the public. Representations from local people have led to a dog "exercise" area being constructed on the perimeter of the site to cater for dog walkers who were former users of the park. This is a further example of the close rapport now established between the Project and local residents.

A funding application is currently being assessed by the Foundation for the Sports and the Arts (FSA) to support the provision of a children's play area. An application to the Sports Lottery Fund for support in constructing a small sports area for young people in the park is being finalised. Although the cost of the recreational elements both in the park and within the building will be some £250,000, if the current applications are successful, the Borough will achieve these works for match funding of only £60,000.

Greenwich University are finalising their report on youth activity in the town centre at the weekends and evenings. This piece of research will provide Members with an accurate picture of what is really happening in the town and could have European wide significance. Sophia Looney from KCC Youth and Community Service has been seconded to the Project to undertake detached youth work in the town and to build on the findings of the research. Despite only being in post since April her work on the Shepway Estate has already been praised by the Police.

The completion date for the Foyer and the park is December 1998. For further details please contact Russ Patrick on 01622 602317.

MOTORWAY TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Doors opened for business at the new Tourist Information Centre at the Maidstone Motorway Services on the morning of Monday 28 April.

Business has been brisk with visitor numbers averaging between 2500 and 3000 per week over the last four weeks. The multilingual skills of the TIC Assistants are much in demand.

Enquiries range from where to stay in Maidstone and what to see locally to how to get to some of the remotest parts of the U.K. by car. A surprising number of local people particularly from the nearby villages are also making use of the Service Area and the T.I.C. to find information on local events, walks and so on.

Limited Bureau de Change facilities are to be introduced on an agency basis shortly responding to a very clear demand demonstrates since the centre opened and providing a useful additional source of funding.

The centre is open daily from 8.30 a.m. until 6.30 p.m.

TOWN CENTRE VISITOR NUMBERS DOUBLE

Visitor numbers at the Maidstone Gatehouse Tourist Information Centre for April, May and June have doubled year on year since 1996 as have sales of services including accommodation bookings and souvenirs. The Tourism Development Officer believes that the increase in visitor numbers (20,475 in 1997, 10,584 in 1996) is not only due to the overall rise in tourists coming from Europe to Kent but also our enhanced marketing profile and the vastly improved and enlarged area for the public to browse around since refurbishments were completed last summer.

CONCESSIONARY FARES

A partial audit of existing claimants of the higher rate concession for the elderly is currently under way to ensure that the Councils Concessionary Fare Scheme conforms to the criteria laid down under the Transport Act 1985. This Audit consists of a sample of just over 500 claimants, picked at random, and requires Claimants to supply proof that they are currently receiving income Support or Housing Benefit and therefore still qualify for the higher level of concession.

The results of this audit and consideration of the consequences will be included in the general report on concessionary fares being presented to Planning and Transportation Committee in September.

Now that concessions are issued all year Members are reminded that from 1 July 1997 new concessions issued in the form of tokens are reduced in value pro-rata in accordance with the following scale:-

MAIDSTONE BOROUGH-WIDE LOCAL PLAN

The Borough-wide Local Plan Deposit Draft has now been published enabling people to make formal objections or expressions of support. The period for representations expired at the end of June.

As well as being on deposit for inspection at the Council's Planning Offices, copies of the plan were also sent to all libraries in the Borough and to the walderslade Centre. Over 150 copies were sent directly to official consultees including Parish Councils. In addition the plan is available for sale at £50 plus post and packing or at a specially discounted price of £15 (plus p&p) for civic card holders.

A leaflet giving brief details of the plan and how to comment was sent to all households in the Borough.

Nearly 500 individuals or organisations had commented by the closing date of 27 June, most of these being received in the final two days of the period. Many have submitted several objections (in one or two cases around 100) and it is likely that the total number of objections will exceed a thousand, many being of a very detailed nature.

Work has now begun on assessing the objections with a view to reporting to Members in September. The public local inquiry into objections is expected to start in February 1998, and will last for several months.

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

FOOD SAFETY AGENCY

The Labour Party when in opposition requested Professor Philip James of the Rowett Institute to consider the function and structure of a Food Standards Agency. One fundamental aim of the agency would be to re-establish public confidence in the national mechanisms for dealing with problems concerning food.

The report, which was published in May, recommends the establishment of a Non-Departmental Public Body with executive powers and a structure similar to that of the Health and Safety Commission/Executive. The agency would be responsible for food safety from the "plough to the plate".

The role of the agency would include developing policy, proposing and drafting legislation and responsibility for education and information. It would take over all the responsibilities of both the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Department of Health in relation to food safety and standards.

The agency should be responsible for food law enforcement including coordinating, monitoring, setting standards for and auditing local authority good law enforcement activities. Local authorities would maintain their existing role of enforcement at the local level but with a contractual relationship with the agency. It would have powers to take sanctions against local authorities whose performance was unsatisfactory.

Funding for the agency would be the responsibility of the Department of Health and funding for all food safety and standards work should be channelled through the agency including the work carried out by local authorities.

The agency would be structured with a commission of about ten members appointed by the Prime Minister or Ministerial Council. The executive of the agency would support local authorities food safety work rather than taking it over. However they would be able to provide specialist advice and assistance as and when required.

There is every indication that the Government will bring in the new Agency within the next year but as yet the necessary legislation or Code of Practice has not been introduced.

THE PENNINGTON GROUP REPORT

The final report by the Pennington group into the outbreak of E. coli 0157 in Lanarkshire, Scotland was published in April. The report sets out recommendations for a range of precautionary, preventative measures and proposals to help the understanding of the organism and control of outbreaks when they occur.

The main recommendations cover:-

1) Farms and E. coli 0157 in livestock.

There should be an education/awareness campaign for farm workers to ensure they are aware of:-

(a) the existence, potential prevalence and nature of the organism

(b) the potential for spread of infection and the need for scrupulous personal hygiene

(c) the absolute need for only clean animals to be presented for slaughter

2) Practices and hygiene in slaughterhouses.

The Meat Hygiene Service must vigorously enforce standards in slaughterhouses including Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) systems and should identify and promote good practice in slaughterhouses. There must be adecluate training in good hygiene practice for abattoir workers.

3) Practices and hygiene in meat product premises and butchers shops. RACCP should be adopted by all food businesses. Enforcement of the existing requirements should be accelerated. The Government should seek to amend EU directives to ensure full HACCP principles are included . Selective licensing of premises not covered by the Meat Products (Hygiene) Regulations should be introduced. All food handlers should be trained to at least basic level and supervisors and those operating one-person businesses should be trained to at least intermediate level. There should be physical separation in storage, production, sale and display, between raw unwrapped cooked meats. This should include separate refrigerators, production equipment,.utensils and where possible, staff. Where separate staff cannot be used alternative arrangements may be sufficient. If neither of these can be achieved the premises should not be permitted to sell both raw and unwrapped cooked meats.

4) Food hygiene at the point of consumption.

Food hygiene training should be provided within the school curriculum and should be included in all food and catering

education. Local authorities should encourage the adoption of HACCP principles in non registered businesses. Food handlers working with vulnerable groups must be aware of and implement good hygiene practice.

5) Enforcement.

The Government should give a clear policy lead on the need for enforcement of food safety measures, including accelerated implementation of RACCP and in conjunction with local authorities should ensure that there are sufficient Environmental Health Officer skills and resources available. The Government should earmark funds for enforcement. High risk premises should be inspected at least every six months. Local authorities should designate an environmental health officer, with appropriate training, experience and expertise, to head food safety within the authority.

6) Surveillance.

The Scottish Office Department of Health should take steps to improve the implementation of the recommendations from the Advisory Committee on the Microbiological of Food on laboratory testing of specimens. A standard case definition and a standard protocol should be agreed for defining cases and their use promoted in all suspected cases.

For large outbreaks a full written report should be completed.

7) Research. Any further research should be subject to the normal process for funding, but with weight given to the threat the organism represents to public health. 8) Arrangements for the handling and control of outbreaks. Local authorities and health boards should ensure that there are sufficient resources available to deal adequately with infectious disease control.

The previous Government had accepted all of the recommendations made by the Pennington Group, however it is understood that the present Government is reconsidering the matter. It is likely that there will, in any event, be implications for local authorities and a report will be submitted to Health Committee in due course.

Following on from the outbreak of E.coli 0157:H7 an information leaflet has been published by the Environmental Health Section in conjunction with the Information office. The leaflet a copy of which is enclosed is in a question and answer, format and explains what the organism is and how to control it.

FOOD SAFETY NEWSLETTER

The Environmental Health Section has produced a newsletter for local businesses to highlight significant issues in the field of food safety. A copy of the newsletter, which is attached, is being sent to every food business operator in the Borough.

FOOD SAFETY NEWSLETTER

Welcome to this, the first Newsletter from the Food and Safety Unit of Maidstone Borough Council. The Government has suggested to Local Authorities that they should be in partnership with business to not only enforce food safety legislation but also to assist business in complying with their legal obligations. With this in mind, this newsletter has been produced to give you an update of current activities within the field of food safety.

It is hoped to produce a newsletter on a regular basis.

E. coli 0.157:H7

Following on from the tragic outbreak of food poisoning in Scotland caused by E. coli 0157:H7 the Government set up an inquiry under the chairmanship of Professor Hugh Pennington. The report of the Pennington Group was published in April and is currently being considered by the goverrunent.

The principle recommendations, if taken up by the Government, which will have direct impact on local businesses are detailed below. Whilst they focus on meat production premises and butchers shops their impact may ultimately affect all businesses.

1 . Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) should be adopted by all food businesses.

2. Selective licensing arrangements should be considered for those premises not subject to approval under the Meat Products (Hygiene) Regulations 1994. This will include a requirement for appropriate records to be kept.

3. All food handlers should undertake training to at least basic level and supervisors or those operating oneperson businesses should be trained to intermediate level.

4. There should be separate storage, production, sale and display between raw meat and unwrapped cooked meats and other ready to eat foods. This should include separate refrigerators, production equipment, utensils and wherever possible, separate staff.

The Council has produced a question and answer leaflet regarding E. coli 0157:H7, a copy of which is included with this newsletter. If you require further copies they are available free of charge from the address above.

Food Safe!y Agency

A working party under the chairmanship of Professor Philip James has produced a report into the establishment of a single agency to oversee all aspects of food safety from the to plough to the plate". The Government are considering the report and the views of interested parties

The recommendations from the report, if implemented, are likely to have little direct impact on local businesses, but will affect how food safety is controlled by Government and how local authorities enforce legislation.

Food Premises (Registration) RegLilations 1991, as amended

These regulations require all businesses to be registered with the Local Authority. In addition any change in the operation of the business or change in ownership must also be notified to the Council.

If you have recently taken over a business and have not yet informed us, you should do so in writing without delay.

Exemptions have been introduced removing the requirement for registration from childminders looking after six or less children and W.I. members preparing -food for W.I. markets.

If you are registered, but wish to be removed from the register because of one of these exemptions, please put your request in writing to the address above.

Even if you do not need to register but you prepare food for other people as part of a business you must comply with food safety legislation and may be subject to periodic inspection.

Barbecue Safety

With the onset of summer you may be contemplating holding a barbecue. Extra care should be taken as cooking foods outdoors can increase the risk of food poisoning because it is much harder to keep food under proper temperature control and prevent crosscontamination. To keep risks to a minimum the following basic precautions should be taken: -

1. Ensure all staff maintain a high level of personal hygiene, wash hands thoroughly with an anti bacterial soap before touching food, after using the toilet or handling refuse. Hands should also be washed frequently whilst preparing food, and especially between handling raw and cooked foods.

2. Make sure all preparation areas, equipment and utensils are clean before use. Use a proprietary sardtiser on preparation surfaces. Use separate cutting boards, knives, utensils etc for raw and cooked foods.

3. Keep raw and cooked foods separate. Store cooked foods above raw foods in the refrigerator.

4. Keep meats and salads cold until it is time to cook or eat them.

5 . Make sure meats are cooked thoroughly all the way through until the juices run clear and no pink bits remain. Remember the heat from a barbecue can be very fierce, cooking the outside whilst the inside remains raw.

Your contact for Food Hygiene matters is Rod Dearling Senior EHO on 602732. If you have any comments or any articles or suggestions for future editions please let us know!

FOOD SAFETY INFORMATION

Detailed below are food safety statistics for the current financial year. The layout of the information has been amended and follows that provided for the performance indicators.

The number of routine inspections completed does not include visits to premises no longer trading or where the food activity is of a seasonal nature and the business was not operating at the time. Once again Maidstone Borough Council is one of only 20% of Local AW

Authorities meeting Government guidelines in terms of the number of food premises inspected.

POLLUTION TEAM COMPLAINTS

The number of complaints received continues to show an increase over last year, though fortunately they are still behind the record year of 1995.

Statutory Nuisance Complaints

Complaints to Civic Wardens

The reduction in complaints to the civic wardens over the years reflects the success of the service in reducing the number of strays and dogs allowed to wander. Much greater emphasis is now placed on pro-active patrolling, particularly for enforcement of "Poop Scoop" and litter control.

JUNIOR CITIZEN SAFETY IN ACTION 1997

During the evening of Friday 4 July 1997 the Mayor of Maidstone Councillor Mrs i Gibson together with Shaun Williamson (Barry Evans from Eastenders) presented South Borough School with first prize in this years Junior Citizen Safety in Action Programme. Over 900 year 6 children from 28 schools in the Maidstone and Malling Area took part.

The event took place over two weeks from Monday 15 June to Friday 27 June at a specially selected training site at the 36 Royal Engineers Regiment, Invicta Park, Maidstone. Each group of school children attends a variety of hazard/safety scenarios and are questioned on the safety aspects and are awarded marks.

The first three positions were very close with first prize being awarded to South Borough with 89.7%, second prize to Ditton with 89.6% and third prize to East Borough with 89.5%.

The event goes ahead with a great deal of support from many other groups including Maidstone Police, Kent Fire Brigade, Connex, MacDonalds, KCC Road Safety, Maidstone Lions, Halfords Cycles, St Johns and the 36 Royal Engineers Regiment.

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSONNEL CHANGES

The out of hours investigation team is now fully in place and up and running, Kevin Metland having completed the team in the middle of June after service in the Armed Forces. He joins Murray Beale, who transferred from Chelmsford BC and Carolyn May who has had a varied career in the police and legal practice. Both Carolyn and Murray started on 2 June.

The team's primary role is to deal with defined emergencies out of normal hours and to provide an enhanced service monitoring on-going complaints. They are backed up by the EHOs as and when required. They can be contacted for emergencies by the Councills normal out of hours duty officer system (0860 273280) or by Voicemail on (01622) 602110. The messages are picked up at regular intervals during the night and at weekends. John Jones who worked here as a Civic Warden has now been retired on medical grounds following a major spinal operation. We wish him well. He will be replaced on a permanent basis by Karen Vause from early August. Karen has been working in the prison custody service and previously in social service care provision.

NOT PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT !

THE PARTY WALL ACT 1996

On 1 July the Party Wall Act 1996 came into effect through England and Wales. Anyone intending to carry out building work which involves work on an existing wall shared with another property or new building on the boundary with a neighbouring property, or excavating near an adjoining building should find out whether that work falls within the scope of the Act.

If it does, the person carrying out the development must serve the statutory notice on all owners affected. There are transitional provisions concerning work beginning before 1 September 1997.

This legislation relates to property law and does not fall within local authority responsibilities. it is likely however that the development being carried out will in any event require building regulation approval or planning permission, or both, and officers will therefore be able to advise on where applicants can find out further information. The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions has two free publications on the topic one aimed at householders and small businesses, and one aimed at larger commercial premises.