Nick Hollinghurst

Food Hygiene Assessments: Since 2008 Three Rivers District Council has given food businesses a rating – a voluntary arrangement that gave a rating of 0-5 stars based on the hygiene inspections which looked at food preparation, handling and display. The cleanliness, suitability and maintenance of the building and equipment was checked, as well as staff knowledge and record keeping.
The government has recognised the value of such schemes and brought in a new scheme for England, Wales & N.Ireland on 1st May, 2012 covering restaurants, takeaways, retailers and mobile traders. It is a partnership between local authorities and the Food Standards Agency. Businesses are given a hygiene rating from zero (urgent improvement necessary) to 5 (Very Good). At present there are no local zero rated food businesses but if things go very wrong the Council has the authority to 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 

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.

We were delighted to be visited last week by Danny Alexander MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury. He met senior Three Rivers officers and councillors and we explained some of the difficulties government policies have created for local authorities. We were pleased that he praised Three Rivers for its financial record and tight financial management.

French Market in Chorleywood : Sunday 13th May, 10.00am to 4.00pm in New Parade, Chorleywood. 14 stalls selling a variety of goods including bread, patisserie, cheese, pate, saucissons, French music CDs etc. Many of the local shops also will be open.

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 these trees are in Rickmansworth Park adjacent to paths and popular areas near the Rickmansworth Park School playing fields.

Efficient Management of Planning Applications: the Government sets targets for Local Authorities determining planning applications.The national figures, recently issued, 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 allowed, but in TRDC it is only 22%, well ahead of the national average.