Taste it! Don’t Waste it! BBQ and Baste it!
West Dunbartonshire Council are currently actively involved in promoting Food Safety through a number of attention grabbing activities and events. A high profile advertising campaign is underway throughout West Dunbartonshire using different types of media to highlight the aims of “Germwatch”.
On the back of Food Safety Week, West Dunbartonshire Council ever keen to highlight the importance of food safety and the basic principles of food hygiene. The focus this year in food safety is “Germwatch”, a campaign designed to raise awareness of the 4 C’s; Cleaning, Cooking, Chilling and avoiding Cross-contamination.
Environmental Health team set up a stall based at the Clyde Shopping Centre in which participants in a food safety quiz were entered into a free prize draw in which they could win a brand new barbeque.
Another five barbeques will be up for grabs in a separate competition being run on Radio Clyde with one winner announced on air each day.
If you would like the chance to win a BBQ check out the simple quiz. Competition ends July 13th.
Further information on Food Safety
Noise Action Week 19 - 23 May 2008
Noise Action Week is an annual initiative coordinated by Environmental Protection UK (formerly NSCA), that aims to raise awareness of the problems caused by neighbour noise and the solutions available to tackle it. It provides an opportunity for local authorities, housing providers, mediation services and all those involved in neighbour noise management to raise awareness of services available and promote practical solutions.
Noise Action Week aims to:
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Promote practical solutions to everyday noise problems
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Promote communication and consideration between neighbours
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Encourage local authorities and mediation services to inform the public of services available
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Educate and inform noise makers and noise sufferers about noise reduction
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Encourage everyone to take a quiet moment to consider the noises they make and the noise that affects them - and what can be done to reduce the impact
West Dunbartonshire Councils Environmental Health Section is promoting two initiatives in relation to noise during noise action week;
1) The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005
The Section has written to all local licensed entertainment establishments advising on the new provisions of The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 and have provided guidance links to the Health & Safety Executive web site. Visits will also be carried out to these establishments by EHOs to provide guidance and advice oncompliance with the legislation. For more information click on the following link: Health & Safety in the Workplace
2) Dog Barking
Noise from barking dogs is a common cause of complaints to the Council and we are promoting ways in which dog owners can mitigate the nuisance caused by barking dogs. For more information click on the following link: Dog Warden Service
Change in Pest Control Charges
West Dunbartonshire Council have been providing a first class pest control service to the local community since 1996.
The Council is not legally bound to provide these services although it does have enforcement obligations to ensure that the district is kept free from rats and mice as far as practicable.
In practice West Dunbartonshire Council have met this duty through the provision of a responsive pest control service and this service has been extended to also deal with certain household insects of public health significance.
The majority of these services have been carried out free of charge. Regrettably this is no longer sustainable for the Council.
As part of the recent spending review it has been necessary to introduce a new charging scheme for rodent and insect treatments to domestic property owners, Housing Associations and private rented accommodation. All council house tenants currently pay for these services indirectly through their rent.
West Dunbartonshire Council have compared the charge of neighbouring councils and private pest control companies and have selected a rate which is one of the most competitive available.
From 1 May 2008 a charge of £35.25(incl VAT) will be made for all pest control services. Payment will be necessary in advance of receiving treatments.
Pest control advice or information will still be provided free of charge.
If you wish to use the service provided by the Environmental Health Section please contact the Customer Contact Centre on 01389 738282.
Campaigns
Environmental Health run many food safety and hygiene promotion campaigns aimed at the wider community including elderly groups, secondary schools and pre 5 nursery pupils, parents and staff.
If you would like any more information on any of the Section's Food Safety Promotion Campaigns please call Caroline McMenemy, Health Promotion Officer on 01389 738244.
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