Service is given one star rating (From Barry And District News)

Service is given one star rating

THE Vale of Glamorgan Council has welcomed news that its environmental health service has "excellent prospects for improvement."

As reported in the Barry and District News last week, the service has been given a one star by the Audit Commission, where nought is poor and three is excellent.

In their independent report the Audit Commission's inspection team found staff were competent and provided a service most users were satisfied with.

They also highlighted the fact an Air Quality Review is in place as well as strategies for contaminated land.

The Audit Commission said a number of improvements could be made including keeping people informed of the outcomes of enquiries and regularly consulting people using the service.

The also recommended developing measures to ensure consistency and quality in inspection work and said awareness of what people do should be better co-ordinated across the council.

The council's cabinet member (regulatory services) cllr Catherine Clay said: "We understand, in terms of the views on improvement prospects, the news doesn't come much better and there is no doubt this is a great boost for the service and the council as a whole.

"We are delighted the Commission's Best Value inspectorate has recognised the professionalism of our staff and the strenuous efforts which have been made over the past two years and which will continue to be made to improve the service to the public.

"The report is a great morale booster for staff across all areas of the service. They have had to absorb many changes but I'm sure they will feel the report is a springboard for further improvement, especially in areas of key public concern such as food safety, dog fouling and pest control."