Environmental Health Homepage
Environmental health is concerned with the health and wellbeing of individuals, organisations and communities through the safety of the places where we live, work and relax and the safety of the food we eat.
The four main core areas of environmental health are, in no particular order:
Pollution and Public Health, Food Safety, Housing, Health & Safety.
Each local authority has a statutory responsibility to enforce environmental health legislation and officers work closely with other agencies such as the Police, Health and Safety Executive and Environment Agency to achieve compliance. We provide a blend of enforcement through powers under Acts of Parliament and many other statutes; some mandatory, some discretionary, with advice and education for individuals, businesses, schools etc.
Local authorities may organise their environmental health functions so they are carried out across a number of teams and service areas.
At Warrington Borough Council, Heath and Safety and Food Safety are dealt with by one team within Trading Standards. Public Health and Pollution are dealt with by Environmental Health & Protection and Housing by Private Sector Housing, all within the community services directorate.
Officers are able to offer advice and investigate complaints across a range of problems such as noisy neighbours, light pollution, unfit food, energy efficiency, stray dogs, poor housing, smoking shelters, animal health & welfare, odours and vermin etc.
To speak to an officer please telephone 01925 442588
Or send an email to environmental.health@warrington.gov.uk
Or write to us at; Palmyra House, Palmyra Square North, Warrington, WA1 1JN
If you have any comments, compliments or complaints, or would to find out more information on how you contact the council and ward councillors, click here.
- Relevant policies can be found in our central policy documents section.
- All relevant legislation can be found in the central Business section.
- Relevant application forms can be found in the online forms section.
- Information leaflets are available on wide range of subjects
If you are interested in a career in Environmental Health, we do provide placements on an unpaid basis. For more information and to apply, go to the Environmental Health trainee application form.
Private sector housing
Private sector housing are striving for everyone, both in social and private sector housing to have the opportunity of a decent home.
How are we doing this?
Tackling concentrations of poor housing - we look at areas of poorer housing within the borough and take the appropriate action to turn things around. To this end we have declared two Renewal areas, one in Fairfield and more recently, one in Latchford.
Helping owners of poor quality housing – the new Housing Renewals Policy marks the progression away from a simple desire to assist homeowners to preserve their properties, to a new focus on protecting the health, safety and welfare of vulnerable people, and strategically effecting area renewal. Consequently, we target assistance towards the vulnerable, including those who are in receipt of means tested benefits, the elderly (of retirement age or above), the disabled, lone parent families with dependent children, low income families, and the chronically infirm.
Promoting a healthy private rented sector – we help good and well-intentioned landlords to raise the standards of their rented accommodation, encouraging self-regulation by accreditation schemes and limited licensing (HMOs- Houses in Multiple Occupation). We assist tenants with problems with housing conditions by applying the principles of good enforcement practice and pro-active inspection programmes for HMOs.
Provision of support and advice to those in housing need – we work corporately with colleagues in social services in order to assist people with disabilities by providing adaptations supported by Disabled Facilities Grant aid. Use this link to access the information. We also help the vulnerable by providing safe and secure assistance to complete urgent and vital repairs and minor adaptations to protect against serious hazards, as classified using a government-derived Housing Health and Safety Rating System.
Home energy conservation – we are working with everyone within the borough to raise awareness of energy efficiency, and to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions, and to alleviate fuel poverty by implementing the council’s Affordable Warmth Strategy. The Eco Hut, located in Warrington Retail Market, is open to visitors to give free and impartial domestic energy efficiency advice. Telephone 01925 657763. (This facility is only manned on a part time basis, you are advised to telephone before you visit).
Environmental Health and Protection
Environmental Health and Protection consists of three sub teams; Environmental Protection, Environmental Control and Land & Air Quality.
Environmental protection
This team deals with complaints from members of the public regarding noisy neighbours; such as barking dogs, playing of loud music, DIY and entertainment noise. We also deal with complaints about bonfires, odours and high hedges. We give pre application advice on planning and licensing applications and act as consultees when the applications are made.
Follow these links for further information.
Noise - how to make a complaint
Bonfires - advice on what you can and cannot burn (opens in a .pdf)
Environmental control
This team deals with requests for service and complaints from members of the public about pest control, stray dogs, private drainage, filthy and verminous premises, nuisance accumulations and animal health and welfare. We also deal with farm inspection & transportation, animal movement licensing; animal welfare and performing animals and provide information and advice on animal health issues such as foot and mouth.
Land & air quality
This team carry out detailed studies of our environment, taking action to clean up land and improve air quality, where necessary. We also help to protect our environment by regulating certain industrial sites, by tackling vehicle emissions, and by advising on the regeneration of the town. We can also provide useful information on the status of our local environment. The team covers carbon emissions reduction in Warrington and climate change issues.
Pollution prevention and control
Food and Health & Safety
The Food and Health & Safety Team ensure compliance with food and health & safety Legislation. We offer advice and information to those involved in the preparation, production and sale of food and so that all persons in employment in premises are safe and without risk of injury or accident.
Food safety
We inspect all food businesses on a regular basis, including food manufacturing plants, and act as Home or Originating Authority where appropriate.
We investigate confirmed and suspected cases of food poisoning and food/water borne illness, and complaints of foreign objects in food or about food that is unfit for human consumption.
We take informal and formal samples of food produced, prepared, distributed or sold within the borough. This may be as part of a national, regional or local sampling programme or following inspection of food premises, complaints received, notification of suspected or confirmed food poisoning incidents or as a result of emergencies or Food Alerts for Action.
We also carry out various licensing functions and sample private and public water supplies, swimming pools and leisure facilities.
Any premises preparing, producing or selling any type of food must be registered with the local authority. To register; download and print this registration form.
This award is given to food premises in the borough who show they are capable of achieving and maintaining a high standard of food hygiene and have systems for monitoring the safe production and storage of food. In addition they offer 'healthy' choices in the food they produce.
Businesses achieving standards of excellence will be offered an Award with Distinction.
Scores on the Doors
- publication of food hygiene scores
The scheme allows members of the public to see the results of the last food hygiene inspection carried out at individual premises, by viewing the scores on the doors website, so enabling consumers to make informed choices of where they eat & buy food.
The Food Standards Agency is an independent government department set up by an Act of Parliament in 2000 to protect the public's health and consumer interests in relation to food. Everything we do reflects our vision of safe food and healthy eating for all.
Health & safety
The work undertaken by the team is both pro-active and reactive. We routinely inspect a range of premises including retail & wholesale shops, warehouses, offices, restaurants and bars, residential care homes and travel agents looking at risks to employees and third parties arising from work activities. Although inspections may involve enforcement, we also provide advice on health and safety matters in the workplace. We carry out a range of enforcement initiatives, listed within the Health and Safety Service Plan, where the team focus on one specific area of concern.
We investigate complaints about health, safety and welfare issues from people at work and members of the public. We also carry out accident and ill health investigations following incidents arising out of or in connection with work. We are also able to provide advice to those wanting guidance on workplace health, safety and welfare issues.
The Health & Safety Executive's job is to help the Health and Safety Commission ensure that risks to people's health and safety from work activities are properly controlled.
Last updated 17/4/2009 11:05:01 AM
