Public Performance Reporting

Environmental Health

We aim to improve the health and quality of life of people in South Ayrshire by working in areas such as food safety, occupational health and safety, public health, environmental protection, housing standards, pest control and dog control.

We have joined with our neighbouring Ayrshire Councils to provide an out of hours noise team. The high standard of service this offers has been recognised by a Bronze Award for Advancing Community Well Being at the 2007 COSLA Excellence Awards.

In 2006/7 we dealt with a total of 957 noise complaints, 818 of which related to domestic noise. The average response time for domestic complaints was one hour. In terms of the Anti Social Behaviour etc (Scotland) Act 2004, 57 Warning Notices and 6 Fixed Penalty Notices were issued.

The ban on smoking in public places has been a resounding national success, even more so in South Ayrshire. Since its introduction, officers have inspected 1,500 premises and vehicles to offer advice, check for compliance or investigate complaints. An overall compliance rate of 99.1% (nationally 97.3%) with only 3 fixed penalty notices issued, confirms that South Ayrshire businesses and residents have embraced the legislation.

Our officers completed 97.2% of all food hygiene inspections to food businesses in South Ayrshire on time (compared to 96.5% in 2005/6). The food safety standard of compliance remains high within the area although we remain vigilant after having to immediately shut down three failing food businesses due to unhygienic conditions.