Inspection and enforcement

Enforcement policy

While the council aims to work with business to ensure that required standards are achieved, inevitably it will be necessary to take enforcement action on occasions. 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.

Corporate Enforcement Policy (PDF) [102KB] (opens new window)

Food hygiene inspections

Officers in the Food, Health & 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 Notices, 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.

Book or enquire about our additional advisory inspection and advice service. Please note that this service is offered for a fee of £229.

Health and Safety visits

Officers in the Food, Health and Safety team are responsible for monitoring occupational health and safety standards in over 2,000 businesses in Breckland. High-risk premises are inspected every 12 months.

Learn what to expect when an inspector calls on the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website (opens new window).

Health and Safety law is enforced by inspectors from the HSE or by inspectors from your local authority.

Inspectors have the right to enter any workplace without giving notice, though notice may be given where the inspector thinks it is appropriate. On a normal inspection visit an inspector would expect to look at the workplace, the work activities, your management of health and safety, and to check that you are complying with health and safety law.

The inspector may offer guidance or advice to help you. They may also talk to employees and their representatives, take photographs and samples, serve improvement notices and take action if there is a risk to health and safety which needs to be dealt with immediately.

For further advice,contact our Food, Health and Safety team using our online form.

If you wish to operate a mobile food business there are a number of things to consider:

1.  Where do you propose to trade?

• If you propose trading on private land or at events, you will require permission from the landowner or the event organiser.
• If you propose trading in laybys, car parks, or the streets anywhere in the Breckland, you may require Street Trading Consent from Breckland Council.View our Street Trading Consent page for more information.
• If you propose trading in laybys, car parks or the streets in other local authority areas, then you should contact them to check whether any prior approval is required.
• If you propose trading at a market then you will require the permission of the market organiser. Many markets are organised by the town councils for that area.

2. Where should I register my mobile food business?

Mobile food businesses should register with the local authority where their trailer is parked over-night or usually based, or where stock is kept. If you operate more than one unit, then it may be necessary to register them separately if they are usually based or parked overnight at different locations.Visit our Food Registration page for further information on registering a food business.

3. What does the law require?

The main structural requirements for a mobile food unit are set out inEU Regulation 852/2004.

In addition, you may need to have appropriate food safety management procedures and records in place.See our 'what paperwork do I need?' page for more regulatory information.

4. Will you be using LPG Gas?

If you will be using LPG gas, you will have a legal duty to make sure that your gas appliances are safe. All maintenance and repair work should only be carried out by a competent gas engineer registered withGas Safety Register (opens new window). You can alsoview our Gas Safety page for further information.

5. Other considerations

• What provision is there for staff welfare?
• Is there a toilet nearby?
• Where will you obtain water?
• Where will you store/dispose of rubbish?