Changes to environment services due to coronavirus

We require all staff to wear face masks during tfood hygiene inspections and keep at a safe distance. We are responding to matters of an urgent nature and focusing our inspections at the highest risk businesses. If you are a new business and waiting for an inspection please note we have a long list due to the original lockdown. We are working hard to contact every business as quickly as possible.

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Our focus is on supporting businesses to be COVID Secure and we are therefore not carrying out routine health and safety work. However, we are responding to matters of an urgent nature.

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This service is still operating but due to the coronavirus our offices are closed to the public and officers are working from home in-line with government guidance. Please do not post or try to hand deliver your application for a search to be made.

We prefer applications to be submitted online via NLIS, TMGroup or InfoTrack portals.

But you can also submit your requests by email. You will need to include all relevant documents (forms and location plan) and send to land_charges@lbhf.gov.uk. Please ensure the following wording is used in the subject line of your email: Search Request + Address of search + (your own reference). A member of the team will telephone you to take a card payment for the fee required.

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The licensing service is currently operating as normal.

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During this period all licenced massage and special treatment premises are subject to certain requirements.

• You must register for an official NHS QR code and display the official NHS QR poster.
• Everyone working in close contact services must wear a visor or goggles and a Type II face mask (medical face masks made up of a protective 3-ply construction that prevents large particles from reaching the client or working surfaces).

If you have any massage and special treatment licence renewal questions, please send an email to mst@lbhf.gov.uk

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We are still able to carry out pest control treatments following government guidelines and would ask that social distancing measures be followed. Residents should also open windows to ventilate the property before officers arrive. We require all staff to wear face masks and appropriate personal protective equipement during the inspection and would ask residents to also wear face masks to protect pest control staff.

If you have recently tested positive for COVID-19, please follow government guidance and self-isolate for 10 days from when your symptoms started. Please do not book an appointment for us to attend during this self-isolation period.

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There are some service restrictions in place during the coronavirus pandemic. Our service is operating out of hours, however officers will evaluate the need to visit residents within their home on a case by case basis. 

Residents should advise officers if anyone within the household is self-isolating, has tested positive, exhibiting symptoms. Residents are expected to ventilate their home, wear face coverings and socially distance. Future visits maybe refused if these conditions are not met. 

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We realise that construction noise during the day may become more of a problem as residents are forced to stay at home and many are working from home. However local authorities have no legislative powers to close construction sites providing that the sites follow the Public Heath COVID-19 Guidelines.

The permitted hours for construction site noisy works are as follows:

• Monday to Friday: 8am to 6pm
• Saturday: 8am to 1pm
• At no time on a Sunday or Bank Holiday.

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If you experience any problems with noise from construction sites outside the permitted hours please report the matter immediately.

We will continue to respond to complaints, but in line with government guidance will minimise direct contact by making increased use of email and phone to approach traders.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

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