In the UK, the Freedom of Information Act 2000 came into force on 1 January 2005. Apart from exemptions relating to Public Security, Privacy of the Individual, etc, the general principle is to give citizens the right to access information held by Public Authorities unless this can be shown not to be in the Public interest.

Together with new EEC policies relating to greater transparency, the above factors have motivated Councils and environmental health officers to set up a web site and mobile phone service that enables Local Authorities to easily make it's Inspection Data available for scrutiny. This initiative is called "SCORES ON THE DOORS"

Background. Under the Food Safety Act 1990, Environmental Health Officers are tasked with inspecting food businesses according to the Food Standards Agency Code of practice*. Following each inspection, the business is assigned a risk rating which will be used to determine the frequency of future programmed inspections. These will typically take place between 6 months and 3 years, (although some very low risk premises may not be part of the inspection programme but be assigned to an Alternative Enforcement Strategy - AES).

Recently, Mansfield Masonic Hall, was inspected - on cleanliness and practices, the physical structures and confidence in Management - and Neil Armstrong and his team are pleased to justifiable be awarded the top honour of 5 stars, an "EXCELLENT STANDARD"

To place this in perspective only 65 businesses in the area where awarded this, as opposed to about 4 stars (very good) awarded to about 130 outlets, 3 star (good ) to approximately 100, 2 star (fair) to 75, and 1 star (poor) to 11.

CONGRATULATIONS.