Rickmansworth: This weeks e-news from the Liberal Democrats
Food Hygiene Assessments: Since 2008 Three Rivers District Council (TRDC) has given food businesses a rating of 0-5 stars depending on the results of hygiene inspections. These inspections include how food is prepared, cooked, cooled, stored and displayed. The structure and equipment used is checked - whether it is clean, suitable, properly maintained. This covers layout, lighting and ventilation. Does the business understand what must be done to ensure food safety ? Are the necessary precautions part of the routine and are records kept ?
The government has recognised the success of such schemes and has introduced a scheme for England, Wales and N.Ireland. It is a partnership between local authorities and the Food Standards Agency and started in TRDC on 1st May 2012. It includes restaurants, takeaways, retailers and mobile traders.Each will be given a hygiene rating from zero (urgent improvement necessary) to 5 (Very Good). So far there are no local zero rated food businesses but if things go very wrong the Council can close the premises and they cannot reopen without Council permission. This has not happened since 2008. Check the ratings on http://ratings.food.gov.uk/authority-search/three-rivers
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The Time Team have been carrying out a dig on the site of the Manor of the More (now Northwood Prep. School). We will circulate the date/time when the TV programme is to be broadcast and there will be a talk to the local community later about what they found.
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We were delighted to be visited last week by Danny Alexander MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury. He met senior TRDC officers and Cabinet members and we explained some of the difficulties government policies have created for local authorities. We were pleased that he praised TRDC for its financial record and tight financial management.
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French market in Chorleywood : Sunday 13th May, 10.00am to 4.00pm. There will be a special event in New Parade, Chorleywood, Sunday Shopping and a French Market. 14 stalls will sell a variety of goods including bread, patisserie, cheese, pate, saucissons, French music CDs etc. Many of the local shops will be open and participating.
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Urgent Tree Safety work to Protected Trees
*Very big mature sycamore with large cavity at base - crown reduction of 50%
*Large lime with hollow & decayed base - needs heavy reduction.
Both are in Rickmansworth Park adjacent to paths and popular areas near the Rickmansworth Park School playing fields.
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Efficient Management of Planning Applications: Government sets targets for Local Authorit planning departments and recent national figures show that TRDC has met and comfortably exceeded both the national targets and national average in all categories - an excellent performance. Nationally 35% of appeals against refusals are acceptable, but in TRDC it is only 22% - well ahead of the national average.