Accounts Commission for

Protecting you and your environment

HOW YOUR COUNCIL PERFORMED IN 1995/96 Introduction

Each year, councils publish a range of information Using the information to show people how well they are providing their services in comparison with previous years and For each activity we have set out why some of the how they compare with other councils. differences in performance may have arisen. We also highlight particular features of the This leaflet contains information on five indicators information - for example, the range in relating to councils’ services in 1995/96 affecting performance achieved by different councils. the environment. These are: However, we do not explain why a council has achieved a particular level of performance or • the percentage of food hygiene inspections what should be regarded as ‘good’ or ‘bad’ undertaken on time performance. • the quality of the water Several factors affect the way a council performs • the percentage of household waste recycled its activities. You need to be aware of these in • the time taken to deal with planning applica- order to understand why results may vary. Some tions from householders of these factors are outwith the control of the • enquiries and complaints made about trading council - for example, population size and density, standards. geographical area, and the mix between urban and rural settlements. Others may be specific to a The information in this leaflet covers the years particular service or the groups of people it serves. 1993/94 to 1995/96 and is important for two These local factors may mean that a council with reasons. Firstly, it shows what performance a performance which, at first sight, appears to be standards have been achieved in the years worse than that of another has, in fact, done leading up to local government reorganisation in better given the more difficult circumstances it April 1996. Secondly, it shows standards against faces. which to measure the work of the new councils following reorganisation.

The Commission has published a comprehensive report on the information for all the services for which there are performance indicators. This provides more detailed analysis of the informa- tion over the three years 1993/94 to 1995/96.

Environment Environment

In 1995/96, services such as it was undertaken by the Information on services provided by inspecting shops and restaurants regional councils. Inverness, Kincardine & Deeside, for food hygiene, and other and Perth & Kinross councils Trading standards and water and environmental services such as had not been provided to the sewerage services were provided by refuse collection, were provided by Commission at the time of the the 53 district councils and three the nine regional councils and the preparation of this publication. islands councils. three islands councils. Some of the information referred to Since the reorganisation of local Local planning, which in this pamphlet is not shown in government in April 1996, water contributes to the quality of the either the tables or the charts. It is, environment, was primarily a and sewerage services have been however, available in the the responsibility of the three newly district and islands council respon- Commission’s full national report. established water authorities. sibility. However, in Borders, Dumfries & Galloway, and

INDICATOR 1

Food safety hygiene inspections: the number of premises in each of four categories requiring inspection during the year, and the percentage of premises in each category which were inspected within the target time.

What the indicator reports

The purposes of food hygiene target time between inspections: Therefore, the indicator reports inspections are to: the council’s food hygiene • within 6 months inspection workload and its identify potential risks to the • • between 6 and 12 months success in achieving its own health of the public arising • between 12 and 24 months inspection targets for the four risk from the processing, cooking, more than 24 months. categories. handling and storage of food • The ‘within 6 months’ risk • confirm that food preparation No comparative information for category is for premises which processes meet the require- 1993/94 is available because have the highest risk of food ments of the Food Safety Act performance information for hygiene problems and so require 1990. environmental health services the most frequent inspection was introduced for the first time Business premises dealing in food visits. The ‘more than 24 months’ in 1994/95. are categorised according to the risk category is for premises frequency with which they which have the lowest risk and should be inspected, depending require fewest visits. on their level of food safety risk. This risk is determined on the For each category of premises, the basis of: indicator provides information on: • the type of premises • the confidence the council has • the number of premises that in the management of food the council intended to processes at the premises. inspect during the year There are four categories of • the percentage of targeted premises, defined according to the premises inspected within the target time.

Environment 1 Points to bear in mind

Each risk category is defined according to the maximum time between inspections. Some premises, particularly in the ‘within 6 months’ category, may be visited more frequently due to the assessed level of risk, but these additional visits are not counted. Commentary Some products have an inher- ently higher risk with respect to food poisoning than others. These In 1995/96 there were 29,864 establishments due for inspection by the 53 include all high-protein foods councils for which information is available. Of these: such as meat, fish, milk and dairy products. • 8.1% (2,414) were in the ‘within 6 months’ inspection category

Factors that will influence a • 39.6% (11,829) were in the ‘between 6 and 12 months’ council’s decision on the required category number of inspections are: • 43.8% (13,088) were in the ‘between 12 and 24 months’ category

• the likely risk according to the • 8.5% (2,533) were in the ‘more than 24 months’ category. type of food • the extent to which food is Across Scotland, councils inspected within the target time between 0% handled, and the risk of cross- and 100% of the premises for which they planned inspections in the ‘within 6 months’ category. Half of all councils (26) managed to inspect at contamination where a process involves both raw and least 85% (Figure 1). cooked food For the other categories, the variations in the percentage of premises • the method of processing. inspected within the target times were: Particular emphasis is placed • ‘between 6 and 12 months’ - 17% to 100%. Twenty-six councils on inspecting any high-risk inspected at least 88% product where the conditions can allow the growth of food • ‘between 12 and 24 months’ - 14% to 100%. Just under half of poisoning organisms - for the councils (25) inspected at least 90% example, canning, vacuum ‘more than 24 months’ - 8% to 100%. Half of the councils packing and any process • providing information for this category of premises inspected 100%. where temperature is a controlling factor • the number of consumers likely to be put at risk if there is a failure in food hygiene and safety procedures • the cleanliness, layout, lighting, ventilation and structural condition of the premises • the attitude and technical knowledge of the management on hygiene and safety matters.

2 Environment Figure 1: The percentage of premises in the ‘within 6 months’ category inspected within target time

0 102030405060708090 100

Tweeddale Shetland Orkney Banff & Buchan Badenoch & Strathspey Western Isles Aberdeen, City of Ettrick & Lauderdale Ross & Cromarty Wigtown East Bearsden & Milngavie Kyle & Carrick Argyll & Bute Cumnock & Doon Valley Angus Kilmarnock & Loudoun Roxburgh Dundee, City of Edinburgh, City of Eastwood Clackmannan Monklands , City of Annandale & Eskdale Cumbernauld & Kilsyth Nairn North East Skye & Lochalsh

Environment 3 INDICATOR 2

Commentary The percentage of water samples which met required standards for:

• chemical quality Chemical quality • microbiological quality The percentage of samples that • colour quality. met the standard for chemical quality varied from 97.9% to What the indicator reports 99.8%, with ten councils The indicator provides information on three aspects of the standard of reporting at least 99.0% of mains water supply. their samples within the standard required (Figure 2). Sampling is undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the Water Supply (Water Quality) (Scotland) Regulations 1990, which set out Microbiological quality standards to be met for each of the three aspects of water quality. The 1990 Regulations require that 95% of samples contain Points to bear in mind no organisms indicating potential contamination. All The three parts of this indicator measure different aspects and should not but one council met this be added together. standard, with performance levels varying between 97.1% and 99.6%. However, Western Fig 2: The percentage of water samples which met standards 1995/96 Isles reported that only 94.4%

100 of samples met the quality

90 standard. 80 Colour quality 70 The percentage of samples that 60 met the required colour quality 5050 standard ranged from 85% to Percentage 40 40 100%, with seven of the 12 30 councils reporting over 99% of 20 their samples within the 10 standard required. 0

Fife

Borders Central Lothian Orkney Highland Shetland Dumfries& Galloway Western Isles

Chemical quality Microbiological quality Colour quality

INDICATOR 3

The percentage of household Councils obtain waste material • separating waste after waste recycled. for recycling by: collection. There is a government target that • collections at recycling by the year 2000 councils should What the indicator reports centres (e.g. bottle banks, recycle 25% of household waste. This indicator shows each paper banks) council’s estimate of its • separate house-to-house achievement in recycling collection of recyclable household waste. materials

4 Environment Figure 3: The percentage of household waste recycled

0246810121416

Points to bear in mind Clydebank Cumbernauld & Kilsyth Councils control the expenditure Clydesdale on promotional campaigns and Hamilton collection and the investment in West Lothian recycling plant. However, Lochaber recycling is also affected by: Sutherland • the level of public awareness Glasgow, City of of the value of recycling Renfrew Wigtown • the willingness of the public Bearsden & Milngavie to participate in recycling Cumnock & Doon Valley household waste East Kilbride • fluctuations in market demand Inverclyde for recycled materials. Monklands Clackmannan Motherwell Commentary Skye & Lochalsh Western Isles Strathkelvin

The percentage of household Midlothian Dumbarton waste recycled by councils Kyle & Carrick varied from 0.5% to 15.8%, Annandale & Eskdale and only seven exceeded 10% (Figure 3). Caithness Just under half of the councils Stewartry (27) recycled 3% or more of Cunninghame household waste. Nairn Ross & Cromarty In comparison with 1993/94, Eastwood 36 councils increased the Edinburgh, City of proportion of household waste Berwickshire recycled. Shetland Aberdeen, City of Badenoch & Strathspey Gordon Stirling Kilmarnock & Loudoun Banff & Buchan Nithsdale Falkirk Roxburgh Angus Dunfermline Moray Argyll & Bute Kirkcaldy Ettrick & Lauderdale North East Fife Dundee, City of Orkney did not provide the required information.

Environment 5 INDICATOR 4

The percentage of planning applications by householders dealt with within eight weeks.

What the indicator reports Points to bear in mind

The indicator provides informa- The time taken to deal with an Some cases, particularly those in tion on how long it takes each application will be affected by: conservation areas or affecting council to deal with planning listed buildings, may take longer • the extent to which applications by householders to deal with because of the need councillors have delegated the seeking approval to build exten- for additional advertising and responsibility for approving sions to their homes, or to make consultation. The proportion of applications to staff (greater other alterations to their proper- such applications varies consider- delegation will generally ties which need permission. ably between councils. A small allow applications to be council may have a large number In dealing with planning processed more quickly) of conservation areas or listed applications, councils: • whether there are any buildings. objections to the application • take a number of steps to (e.g. from neighbouring In view of the possible impact of consult on and assess the property owners) conservation areas and listed application buildings on the average time • the proportion of cases where • decide whether to approve the councils take to deal with applica- an applicant needs to submit application tions, particular care should be amended plans before the exercised when the performance • notify the applicant of the planning officer feels able to of councils is being compared. decision. recommend approval. People have to notify their neighbours that they have submitted an application and Commentary councils are usually required to carry out only limited consulta- tions before a decision is reached. There were 16,380 householder applications dealt with by the councils Many of the applications are that reported the information. straightforward and result in permission being granted. The proportion of householder applications dealt with within eight weeks varied between councils from 56% to 96% (Figure 4). This indicator does not deal with applications by builders and Twenty-two councils processed 80% or more of their householder developers. applications within eight weeks, ten more than in 1993/94.

6 Environment Figure 4: The percentage of householder planning applications dealt with within eight weeks

0 102030405060708090 100

Western Isles

Glasgow, City of

Dumbarton

Inverclyde

East Lothian

Edinburgh, City of

Renfrew

Argyll & Bute

Borders

Clydesdale

Midlothian

Banff & Buchan

Kyle & Carrick

Gordon

Moray

Cunninghame

Aberdeen, City of

Dundee, City of

Kirkcaldy

Bearsden & Milngavie

Clydebank

Highland

Orkney

North East Fife

Dunfermline

Stirling

Dumfries & Galloway

Clackmannan

Cumbernauld & Kilsyth

Motherwell

Cumnock & Doon Valley

Monklands

Strathkelvin

Eastwood

Angus

Kilmarnock & Loudoun

East Kilbride

Falkirk

Hamilton

Shetland

West Lothian

Environment 7 INDICATOR 5

The percentage of trading setting unreasonable conditions of sale. standards enquiries and Complaints and enquiries come mainly from consumers, with a smaller complaints completed within number from businesses. 30 calendar days. The indicator does not provide information on the quality of any advice or What the indicator reports investigation, or on its usefulness to the consumer or business.

The indicator provides information on the efficiency of Points to bear in mind the council in dealing with The indicator will be affected by the number and complexity of enquiries enquiries and complaints. It and complaints. shows the time between: Many enquiries can be dealt with speedily, often on the same day or • the date the council receives within a few days. The investigative work involved in complaints means all the information necessary that they often take longer to complete. Councils usually receive more to allow action (e.g. advice or enquiries than complaints. investigation) to commence, and No comparative information for 1993/94 is available because performance • the date on which the information for trading standards services was introduced for the first time council’s contact with the in 1994/95. consumer and/or the trader concerned finished, i.e. the council provided the informa- Commentary tion requested, or the outcome of an investigation was reported to the consumer or Councils dealt with a total of 295,575 enquiries and complaints, a drop of business making the 1.6% on the number in 1994/95. One council, Strathclyde, had 83% of all complaint. enquiries and complaints received by Scottish councils. Dealing with enquiries and The percentage of enquiries and complaints dealt with in 30 days ranged complaints is one of the most between councils from 84% to 100% (Figure 5). Ten of the councils dealt significant of the trading stand- with at least 90% of enquiries and complaints in 30 days. ards services provided by coun- cils. This assistance is provided to two separate groups - consumers (i.e. the general public) and businesses. Fig 5: Percentage of enquiries & complaints completed in 30 days ‘Enquiries’ are requests for information from a consumer or a business about any aspect of 100 consumer law or an unfair trading 90 practice. ‘Complaints’ are requests 80 to the council to investigate the 70 activities of a trader or traders. 60 Both enquiries and complaints 50 relate to goods or services which Percentage 40 the consumer or business suspects 30 or believes has been poor, unfair 20 or based on illegal trading 10 practice by a trader - for example, 0 selling faulty, dangerous or wrongly described goods, or Fife Borders Lothian Central Tayside Orkney Highland Grampian Shetland Dumfries & Strathclyde Galloway Western Isles

8 Environment The Accounts Commission for Scotland is a statutory, independent body which through the audit process assists local authorities and the health service in Scotland to achieve the highest standards of financial stewardship and the economic, efficient and effective use of their resources.

The Commission has published similar pamphlets for other services. These are:

Education Housing Social work Police and fire services

Copies of all the pamphlets in this series, and the Commission’s national report covering all the performance indicators for a wide range of council services, are available from your council office; your library; or the Accounts Commission for Scotland.

Accounts Commission for Scotland

18 George Street Edinburgh EH2 2QU Environment Telephone 0131 477 1234 http://www.scot-ac.gov.uk