Environmental Protection policies

Privacy notice

Your privacy is very important to Breckland District Council.

Breckland District Council is the Data Controller responsible for the personal information you may provide, including:

Your complaint to the Environmental Protection Team.
Any personal information we gather in relation to a complaint made against you.

Our Data Protection Officer can be contacted by phone on 01362 656870, via email legal@breckland.gov.uk, or by writing to us at Legal Services, Breckland District Council, Elizabeth House, Walpole Loke, Dereham, Norfolk, NR19 1EE.

Your rights

You have the right to access your data and correct any inaccuracies. For further details, please contact the Data Protection Officer orfind out about your rights online.

Please also see our fullPrivacy Policy.

Council service	Environmental Protection
Why we need your personal data	To assist you with your complaint or otherwise fully investigate a complaint raised.
Why we're allowed to use it	Article 6.1(c) and (e) of the General Data Protection Regulations. Environmental Protection Act 1990. Clean Air Acts 1956, 1968 & 1993. Clean Neighbourhoods & Environment Act 2005. Control of Pollution Act 1974. Human Rights Act 1998. Land Drainage Act 1991. Litter Act 1983. Local Government (Misc. Provisions) Acts 1976 & 1982. Noise Act 1996. Noise & Statutory Nuisance Act 1993. Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949. Private Water Supplies Regulations 2016. Public Health Acts 1875, 1936 & 1961. Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. Water Industry Act 1991.
How your data is used	To investigate and resolve issues where your data is necessary to fulfil a statutory role. For example, we may receive your details because you are alleged to be causing a noise nuisance. To check information you have provided, or information about you that someone else has provided, with other information we hold and from other sources. These include (but are not limited to) landlords, letting agents, housing associations, the police and other councils. In certain circumstances, we may give your data to other agencies or partners in connection with any legal proceedings. We may share information with other organisations if your complaint does not fall within the legislation available to us. These include the Environment Agency, Anglian Water, other services within the council, other councils, and our contractors. We will do so only where we have your consent and it is in your interest to do so. We may share the data of contractors (and their representatives) for Breckland Council with our internal services in relation to the efficient delivery of the contract. These could include the Procurement team, Legal services and Finance services. We will not disclose your personal information to third parties for marketing, sales, or any commercial use, and we will not use your personal data in a way which may cause you harm. We will carry out our investigations and enforcement actions in line with the council's corporate enforcement policy, which includes our duty to respect personal privacy under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 and the Human Rights Act 1998. This includes audio recordings produced by our own noise nuisance recorders and the use of the NoiseAPP.
How long the information is retained	The council will process the information you provide in a manner that is compatible with GDPR. We will endeavour to keep your information accurate and up to date and not keep it for longer than is necessary.

Enforcement

Breckland Council - Corporate Enforcement Policy

Breckland Council's corporate enforcement policy (PDF, 102 KB)(opens new window)

The purpose of the Policy is to set out the guiding principles by which legislation will be enforced by the council to protect public health, safety, amenity and the environment within Breckland.

Health and Safety Inspector visit/calls

The HSE has a briefguide for businesses, employees and representatives (opens new window).

Food hygiene inspections

Officers in the Food, Health and Safety Team are responsible for monitoring hygiene standards in over 1,200 food businesses in Breckland. The frequency of inspection varies from six months to three years depending upon a number of factors that are assessed at the time of every main inspection.

In the great majority of cases, contraventions are dealt with informally where an educative approach is taken, with follow-up inspections to check progress. In more serious cases, Officers may resort to the use of Improvement Notices, Remedial Action Notice, Simple Cautions, Prosecution and/or Seizure or Detention of food. Where there is deemed to be an imminent risk to health, premises may be closed by use of Emergency Prohibition powers.

Breckland is fully committed to supporting its food businesses. Support includes advisory visits, leaflets and a programme of food safety training. Regular projects take place to deal with particular issues.

You are able toreport a food complaint or problem online. You can also contact the Environmental Protection team by telephone (01362 656870) or by completing our General Enquiry Form.