0:00:03 > 0:00:05From waste and recycling
0:00:05 > 0:00:08to pest control and Trading Standards,
0:00:09 > 0:00:13the taxes that we pay to our local councils are used to provide
0:00:13 > 0:00:15many of our most essential services.
0:00:15 > 0:00:18I like people who are keen to recycle.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21In this series, we follow the front line staff
0:00:21 > 0:00:26working behind the walls of Tameside town hall in Greater Manchester.
0:00:26 > 0:00:30Like council officers across the country, these local heroes are
0:00:30 > 0:00:33waging war on those blighting our communities.
0:00:33 > 0:00:37- Oi, oi, oi!- Excuse me.- Excuse me, love, you can't do that.
0:00:37 > 0:00:39They're protecting us from hidden dangers...
0:00:39 > 0:00:41If there's rodent activity in your kitchen,
0:00:41 > 0:00:43you won't be opening tonight. It's that simple.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46..making sure our cash is spent on those who need it most...
0:00:46 > 0:00:49- I'm at a loose end. - I do not know where to turn.
0:00:49 > 0:00:53..and responding to their residents when they Call The Council.
0:01:00 > 0:01:04Coming up, officers help a resident who calls the council after
0:01:04 > 0:01:07discovering a water supply with huge potential on his property...
0:01:08 > 0:01:11- You've drunk it neat already? - I have, yes.
0:01:11 > 0:01:13- With no ill effects?- Not yet.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17..get tough with owners of a takeaway who have rats
0:01:17 > 0:01:20festering in their backyard...
0:01:20 > 0:01:22So that lettuce is out of date, is it?
0:01:22 > 0:01:24- And these potatoes are out of date?- Yeah, we don't use,
0:01:24 > 0:01:27we don't use this at all. We've not used this for ages.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29Come on, they're not old.
0:01:29 > 0:01:33And join forces with the police to enforce regulations governing
0:01:33 > 0:01:35independent off-licences...
0:01:35 > 0:01:39- So do you accept a driving licence? - No, I don't. No accept that.
0:01:39 > 0:01:40Do you accept a passport?
0:01:40 > 0:01:43- No.- Now, they're the two that you SHOULD accept.
0:01:55 > 0:02:02In the UK, there are 433 councils employing almost 2 million people.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04The work of these local heroes delves into all aspects
0:02:04 > 0:02:08of our daily lives, from licensing and trading standards
0:02:08 > 0:02:12to pest control and bereavement services.
0:02:12 > 0:02:14Funded by the taxes we pay,
0:02:14 > 0:02:18they work hard to stretch every penny of their budgets.
0:02:25 > 0:02:26PHONE RINGS
0:02:28 > 0:02:31Environmental Services, Bev Hursthouse speaking.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34When someone calls the council for help in Tameside,
0:02:34 > 0:02:38a borough of Greater Manchester, officers like Bev Hursthouse
0:02:38 > 0:02:41work tirelessly to help them solve their problems.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44I sometimes do have to get tough, you know. I do think I'm quite
0:02:44 > 0:02:47a reasonable character, really but sometimes you do have to go in,
0:02:47 > 0:02:48when you just know they're not listening,
0:02:48 > 0:02:51the message isn't getting there.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53But, yeah,
0:02:53 > 0:02:54a dog with a bone, I'd say.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00Like their heroic council colleagues across the country,
0:03:00 > 0:03:04Bev and fellow environmental health officer Kevin Greenwood
0:03:04 > 0:03:08are charged with protecting us from possible hidden dangers.
0:03:08 > 0:03:10- Ooh, pony parties!- There you are.
0:03:10 > 0:03:14A mum's called the council to question the food hygiene
0:03:14 > 0:03:17at a pony party her daughter recently attended.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21No children have fallen ill and the idea to run parties
0:03:21 > 0:03:23at the stables is new, so the organisers haven't yet
0:03:23 > 0:03:28consulted the council about their responsibilities as a food business.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31But as part of an inspection several months ago,
0:03:31 > 0:03:35a small amount of E.coli was found in the private water supply
0:03:35 > 0:03:37that serves the same site.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39Our concern at this stage is
0:03:39 > 0:03:41one, where they're getting the water from.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44Two, where's any food being prepared?
0:03:44 > 0:03:47Three, where the children go in, and obviously the safety of the children.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52E.coli is a bacterium that lives in our intestines.
0:03:52 > 0:03:56The common strain is harmless but the worst type, 0157,
0:03:56 > 0:04:00causes diarrhoea, kidney failure and even death.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04The levels of E-coli detected here don't pose a serious risk,
0:04:04 > 0:04:07but in a bid to prevent any dangerous contamination,
0:04:07 > 0:04:10on his last visit, Kevin issued legal notices.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13They insisted that the communal water tank be repaired
0:04:13 > 0:04:17and a new system to filter the water put in place.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21You know, with this, children, farm animals and food all in one, one mix,
0:04:21 > 0:04:23it has to be taken quite serious.
0:04:26 > 0:04:30The officers are keen to discuss the parents' concern with the party
0:04:30 > 0:04:34organisers and to check that they've complied with the legal notice.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37The owners aren't home...
0:04:37 > 0:04:39Hiya, how you doing?
0:04:39 > 0:04:42...but Kevin tracks down landowner Mr Felton.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45He's keen to show the officers that he's started work
0:04:45 > 0:04:47to make the water safe.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49It's cracking up here, though, isn't it?
0:04:49 > 0:04:54There is discharge from that pipe coming from the hillside somewhere
0:04:54 > 0:04:58that flooded this area, and so the concern was that this water here
0:04:58 > 0:05:02that's left standing would seep into the water supply
0:05:02 > 0:05:06inside this stone capped tank. This has probably been here
0:05:06 > 0:05:09for hundreds of years, hasn't it, really?
0:05:10 > 0:05:12Mr Felton's responded to Kevin's legal notices
0:05:12 > 0:05:17and has done a lot of work to remove any risk.
0:05:17 > 0:05:22Once this is concreted, I'll probably build a small area with
0:05:22 > 0:05:25- a couple of manhole covers on.- Yeah, let's have a look underneath.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29That'll make it airtight, won't it, then? That's good.
0:05:29 > 0:05:33- What size is this tank capacity? - 7,000 litres.
0:05:33 > 0:05:387,000 litres, and we're OK with that in terms of the number of people.
0:05:38 > 0:05:42Lovely, right, that's great.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45But before the water is deemed fit for human consumption,
0:05:45 > 0:05:48tests will need to be carried out by the council to confirm that
0:05:48 > 0:05:52it's now free from harmful strains of E.coli.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55With that in mind, Kevin and Bev need to be sure the farm
0:05:55 > 0:05:57that hosts the pony parties
0:05:57 > 0:06:00has the correct signage up to stop people drinking it.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06- There's an outside tap there. - Animal only.- Animal only, yeah.
0:06:06 > 0:06:11- Or feet wash.- I have asked for signs to go up so that the,
0:06:11 > 0:06:14they're not going to be used for drinking water
0:06:14 > 0:06:16or for filling kettles up.
0:06:16 > 0:06:20Kevin asks people mucking out how the water is being used.
0:06:20 > 0:06:25- Hiya.- Hi.- What did this say when it was visible?
0:06:25 > 0:06:28It said you're not to drink the water.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31Is there another sign that says "No drinking water"?
0:06:31 > 0:06:34- There was one near the tap there, but it's gone.- It's blown off, yeah.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36Well, we'll be talking to him.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39He needs to get some robust, proper signage screwed in
0:06:39 > 0:06:41that's going to not disappear in a few weeks.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44The water is safe for the animals to drink but the signs,
0:06:44 > 0:06:47while in place, aren't very clear.
0:06:47 > 0:06:51If you get a chance, remind him the signs,
0:06:51 > 0:06:54the signs should have gone up at all these taps.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57The issues don't stop there.
0:06:57 > 0:07:01Children have been introduced to some of the animals and you know, they
0:07:01 > 0:07:04look after the ponies and have a go at riding them,
0:07:04 > 0:07:07but there's also this petting of some of the animals as well,
0:07:07 > 0:07:09which is another concern.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15After grooming and petting the ponies,
0:07:15 > 0:07:18the party moves into a caravan for a birthday tea,
0:07:18 > 0:07:20but as the owners aren't there,
0:07:20 > 0:07:23the officers are unable to check where the children wash their hands.
0:07:26 > 0:07:31So what the complainant informed us was that this is actually where
0:07:31 > 0:07:34the children are sitting and eating, inside here.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42Which, you know, would be quite good if it weren't on a farm, really.
0:07:44 > 0:07:48If children's hands aren't washed properly after petting animals,
0:07:48 > 0:07:52they could be at risk of infection from E.coli.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54You know, we're just concerned
0:07:54 > 0:07:56that maybe hand washing's not taking place,
0:07:56 > 0:07:59especially if they've been handling the animals,
0:07:59 > 0:08:01so we just really need to speak to them
0:08:01 > 0:08:04before the next party takes place, really.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08Hand sanitizer is present, but it doesn't seem to be enough
0:08:08 > 0:08:12to meet basic hygiene regulations for a business handling food.
0:08:13 > 0:08:15If there's no facilities to wash your hands there,
0:08:15 > 0:08:19then really, the food business shouldn't be in place yet.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22You know, we'd rather be on the end of the phone and provide advice
0:08:22 > 0:08:25and guidance and point them in the right direction, really,
0:08:25 > 0:08:28prior to something going wrong.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30This is exactly the kind of work that council officers
0:08:30 > 0:08:32nationwide are tasked to do.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34With public safety paramount,
0:08:34 > 0:08:37Bev and Kevin will return to meet the party planners
0:08:37 > 0:08:41and thoroughly investigate their hygiene regime to check all is well.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46Still to come, the officers work with the party planners
0:08:46 > 0:08:49to ensure their guests are safe.
0:08:49 > 0:08:54You know, if there's something that's remiss, then yeah...
0:09:01 > 0:09:05Sometimes in their battles to keep food businesses safe,
0:09:05 > 0:09:08heroic officers like Bev need to call on the specialist services
0:09:08 > 0:09:10of their colleagues,
0:09:10 > 0:09:14especially when a takeaway has some unwanted visitors - rats.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16Oh, yo, yo, yo!
0:09:16 > 0:09:18Catch it! Did you see it?
0:09:18 > 0:09:21Today, Bev and pest control officer Brian Whelan
0:09:21 > 0:09:25are inspecting the alley behind a row of food outlets
0:09:25 > 0:09:27after a resident called the council
0:09:27 > 0:09:31when she saw rodents rummaging in their bins.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34I've noticed rats, you know, quite big rats
0:09:34 > 0:09:36and reported it to the council.
0:09:36 > 0:09:40I mean, it's not nice, quite a few children live round here,
0:09:40 > 0:09:43I've got a grandson, you know, so we want to stop it.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48Officers have the authority to carry out unannounced inspections
0:09:48 > 0:09:51at premises with a suspected rat infestation,
0:09:51 > 0:09:54as the rodents spread diseases like salmonella
0:09:54 > 0:09:58and leptospirosis, that are harmful to humans.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01First impressions at the back of this takeaway aren't good.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06I mean, if you look, there's a burrow going there, underneath there
0:10:06 > 0:10:11and when I shine my torch there, there's some fresh poo
0:10:11 > 0:10:16because it glistens in the light, so that's rats coming up over here.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19Bev is keen to speak to the owner to ask how he's addressing
0:10:19 > 0:10:22the rat infestation in the back alley.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25- Loads there.- Big problem with rats in the area.- Right.
0:10:25 > 0:10:29- OK, have you had any sightings at all?- We did a few months ago.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32OK, what I need you to do, really, is keep this yard area clear.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35We've got a rat problem in the back of here, mate,
0:10:35 > 0:10:38there's loads of rat droppings down here in this corner.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40Look at this, you know, that was the last time, wasn't it?
0:10:40 > 0:10:44The owner does have a private pest control contract in place,
0:10:44 > 0:10:47but it's several months since his contractor's last visit.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50Brian, who I'm with today, is obviously one of Tameside council's
0:10:50 > 0:10:53pest officers. What he's just spotted is some droppings.
0:10:53 > 0:10:57- What have you got in that shed there? - Nothing.- Onions?- Nothing, really.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00- Nothing really?- No.- It's next door, is it, that one?- No, this one here.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02- Outside?- Yeah, this one here, this shed here.- Right.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05It's absolutely full of rat droppings.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12- Rat droppings in the corner. See them?- Can you see there?
0:11:12 > 0:11:13We don't use this at all.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16I mean, we've not been using this for a while.
0:11:16 > 0:11:20- When is your lettuce for?- Sorry? - When will your lettuce be for?
0:11:20 > 0:11:22So that lettuce is out of date, is it? And these potatoes
0:11:22 > 0:11:25- are out of date?- Yeah, we don't use, we don't use this at all.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27- We've not used this for ages. - Come on, these aren't...
0:11:32 > 0:11:36- ..they're not old.- We don't, we try to...- Need to get your pest guy out.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38- Again?- You've got a big rat hole there in the corner.
0:11:38 > 0:11:42All them bits there, that's rat droppings.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45Honestly, we don't, we do not use, I mean, there's nothing here at all.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48- The lads will get a good- BLEEP - because you can see this,
0:11:48 > 0:11:50- we don't use this as storage. - Well, when your pest guy comes,
0:11:50 > 0:11:53you could probably do with getting them out because there's a lot
0:11:53 > 0:11:56of activity going on in the rear yard as well. He needs to come out
0:11:56 > 0:11:57- and...- I'll ring him now for you.- OK.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59- I'll ring him now.- That's great.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02He's had a problem in this back area for a long time, yeah.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06His pest control contract he's got, I mean, there's a bait box there,
0:12:06 > 0:12:09you've seen in the shed, that is absolutely,
0:12:09 > 0:12:11that's definitely the toilet.
0:12:12 > 0:12:16With concerns about droppings this close to the food preparation area,
0:12:16 > 0:12:19Bev carries out an inspection inside.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24There's no evidence of a rat infestation within the premises
0:12:24 > 0:12:28and the owner is keen to respond to Bev's concerns and stay open.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32We need to get this hole sorted. Can we get a piece of wood over that
0:12:32 > 0:12:34today until you get your door repaired?
0:12:34 > 0:12:38I'll get that sorted out by the end of tonight, one way or another.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41- OK, that's great.- Even if I have to change the door tonight,
0:12:41 > 0:12:42- I'll get the door changed.- OK.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44So with no imminent risk to public health
0:12:44 > 0:12:48the takeaway can continue trading - for now.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52A relief, really, that I can't see any activity inside the premises.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55Business owner's given me his word
0:12:55 > 0:12:58- that he will discard this rubbish now.- All right.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01Shouldn't really have any food stored in the shed,
0:13:01 > 0:13:02so he will clear that out.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04There is some activity in the yard as we know.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08But with rats present in the yard, the council will monitor
0:13:08 > 0:13:11this takeaway until their rodents are under control.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15Their work here is another example of the commitment our heroic
0:13:15 > 0:13:18council officers make to keep residents and customers safe.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20To be honest with you,
0:13:20 > 0:13:22I thought cleansing this would have been top of their priority
0:13:22 > 0:13:26with it being a food outlet, but no.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28Still to come,
0:13:28 > 0:13:31Brian returns to see if the takeaway's owners
0:13:31 > 0:13:34have taken the council's advice.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37Oh, you just missed one. A huge one in that burrow there.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40It's just shot that way.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47From restaurants and cafes to bars and shops,
0:13:47 > 0:13:49our nation's council heroes are responsible
0:13:49 > 0:13:52for ensuring that licensed trades adhere
0:13:52 > 0:13:55to strict regulations designed to keep us safe.
0:13:55 > 0:13:59To enforce the law, council officers like John Gregory and Dave Smith
0:13:59 > 0:14:03are armed with enforcement powers that allow them to issue notices,
0:14:03 > 0:14:07fines and legal proceedings against anyone caught flouting the system.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12The primary reason for local authorities being
0:14:12 > 0:14:15involved in licensing of any kind of business is to protect public safety.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18We license gambling establishments, we license tattooists,
0:14:18 > 0:14:22we license scrap metal dealers. All of those have an element in them,
0:14:22 > 0:14:25there's a requirement for us to regulate them.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28Today, their team is joining forces with the police to spot check
0:14:28 > 0:14:31independent outlets selling alcohol.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33Right, morning, everyone. Thanks very much for coming.
0:14:33 > 0:14:37So the ambition for today is to visit all our independent off-licences.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40It's 130-odd premises, which sounds quite a lot
0:14:40 > 0:14:43but actually, we've got all day for it today.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45We're splitting you into small teams
0:14:45 > 0:14:47and you're all being given a list of premises to go out and visit.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51If you do see or hear anything during the visit which causes you concern,
0:14:51 > 0:14:55can you please make a note and make sure that we're made aware of it?
0:14:55 > 0:14:57And as you come up to Simon, tell him who you are and
0:14:57 > 0:15:00he'll tell you who you're teamed up with and then we'll get you paired up
0:15:00 > 0:15:02and we'll get you out.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05The team will prioritise checks for illegal and illicit goods,
0:15:05 > 0:15:07fire safety standards,
0:15:07 > 0:15:11and an understanding of legislation that governs the sale of alcohol.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14I think these types of operations are important
0:15:14 > 0:15:18because ultimately, selling alcohol is a big responsibility.
0:15:18 > 0:15:22There are a lot of problems in the country due to alcohol misuse,
0:15:22 > 0:15:25so in order to ensure the best that we can
0:15:25 > 0:15:28that people are selling it responsibly and legally,
0:15:28 > 0:15:32this is what these types of operations are all about.
0:15:32 > 0:15:37Alcohol is 45% more affordable than it was in 1980.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41As prices go down, crime goes up, and today the cost of
0:15:41 > 0:15:46alcohol-related offences to the UK is £11 billion a year.
0:15:49 > 0:15:53Council licensing officer Dave Smith and police officer Lisa Cameron
0:15:53 > 0:15:56arrive at the first shop to be targeted.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01Dave's quick to spot a contravention of the licensing regulations.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03There's a condition on this licence here
0:16:03 > 0:16:07and it stipulates that you operate a Challenge 25 policy.
0:16:09 > 0:16:15- Those posters are just there.- No. - They need to be displayed. Right.
0:16:15 > 0:16:19- It was in the window, but somehow it's dropped down.- Right.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22- Can we put it back up? - Yeah, no problem.- Thank you.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26- You've got quite a big shop here. - Right.- You need more of them.
0:16:26 > 0:16:30Challenge 25 is a national scheme supported by retailers that
0:16:30 > 0:16:34encourages all young adults to carry ID to prove
0:16:34 > 0:16:36they can legally buy alcohol.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40Selling alcohol to anyone under 18 can lead to a maximum fine
0:16:40 > 0:16:43of £20,000.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47One poster is insufficient, so Dave insists the trader put up more
0:16:47 > 0:16:51to comply with mandatory requirements.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54Lisa then turns her attention to a more life-threatening hazard.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59If there was a fire at the front door,
0:16:59 > 0:17:02how would you get out of the building?
0:17:02 > 0:17:03You go out that back door.
0:17:04 > 0:17:08The fire door is blocked and locked. To comply with regulations,
0:17:08 > 0:17:12the shop must offer a secondary escape route in case of fire.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14The first thing I'll say, Hassan,
0:17:14 > 0:17:17is that a fire exit has got to be unobstructed,
0:17:17 > 0:17:20so you can't have things piled up outside your exit.
0:17:20 > 0:17:21Yes, yes.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24And also, if this is a fire exit, you can't have it locked
0:17:24 > 0:17:28because if there's a big fire in here, you can't afford time
0:17:28 > 0:17:31to start messing around with keys and locks and stuff.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34You've got to be able to get out quick.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36- It's like Fort Knox.- Yeah.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39There you go. So once you're out, you're all right.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42If this premises has had a fire risk assessment completed,
0:17:42 > 0:17:44that door wouldn't be there.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47That needs to be a push bar door and unobstructed.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50I mean, you can see there there's just piled up boxes and waste
0:17:50 > 0:17:51and whatnot, it's no good.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55You've effectively got one exit and that's at the front of the shop.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58If that exit there was incapacitated in the event of a fire,
0:17:58 > 0:18:00you're pretty much trapped in, really.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04The owner agrees to have the door replaced
0:18:04 > 0:18:09and inspected by the fire service to ensure it meets regulations.
0:18:09 > 0:18:10- All right.- Thanks, Hassan.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13The inspections by the officers are just part of
0:18:13 > 0:18:15the life-saving work they do for their communities.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20Still to come,
0:18:20 > 0:18:22an employee shocks officers
0:18:22 > 0:18:25by failing to grasp even the basics of licensing.
0:18:25 > 0:18:29- So do you accept a driving licence? - No, I don't. No accept that.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31- Do you accept a passport?- No.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34- Now, they're the two that you SHOULD accept.- Yeah, yeah.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43Our country's council officers often rely on their experience
0:18:43 > 0:18:46and powers of persuasion to get us results.
0:18:47 > 0:18:51But when things get tough, so do these unsung heroes.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54Armed with a raft of legal enforcement powers, they battle
0:18:54 > 0:18:58the most stubborn of pests, be they business owners or rats.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03Earlier, environmental health officers Bev and Brian
0:19:03 > 0:19:06carried out an unannounced inspection of a takeaway
0:19:06 > 0:19:10following rat sightings from a resident who called the council.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13There's quite a lot of activity going on in the rear yard as well.
0:19:17 > 0:19:21Today, Brian is back to see what work has been done
0:19:21 > 0:19:23to rid their yard of rats.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26Ooh, you've just missed one, a huge one in that burrow there.
0:19:26 > 0:19:27It's just shot that way.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32The owners were asked to remove the contents of their shed.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34They've gone as far as taking it down
0:19:34 > 0:19:37but have left behind the base - the root of the problem.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39Along with rubbish, discarded food
0:19:39 > 0:19:42provides multiple routes for the rats to roam.
0:19:43 > 0:19:45They've been told about it
0:19:45 > 0:19:49and then they do this instead of putting it in the bin.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51It just doesn't make sense.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54They do all this, they've not took this up
0:19:54 > 0:19:56because they'll be living underneath here.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58There's obvious sightings there
0:19:58 > 0:20:02so the pest control's not done any baiting in here.
0:20:04 > 0:20:05Just rat holes everywhere.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10To me, it's just ignorance, it's just not listening to you
0:20:10 > 0:20:14and unfortunately, this is the thing that frustrates you.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16Get this cleared.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20Get it all swept out, get this pest control company to get some
0:20:20 > 0:20:26bait on this, down these burrows and start getting it under control.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29But there'll be quite a few living under here.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34With the takeaway failing to do a thorough clear-up,
0:20:34 > 0:20:37the rats have no reason to leave.
0:20:37 > 0:20:38Not even coming out, are they?
0:20:38 > 0:20:41They're right down underneath this tree, laughing at us.
0:20:41 > 0:20:46The base that he's took the shed off, that's even got fresh rat burrows
0:20:46 > 0:20:48from underneath it, chewed through it.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52These inspections are both time-consuming and costly
0:20:52 > 0:20:56for the council and ultimately, us taxpayers.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59But the dedication of officers like Brian means they'll persist
0:20:59 > 0:21:03with the problem until the rat population is under control.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06Frustrating, the way you,
0:21:06 > 0:21:08you try and help people...
0:21:10 > 0:21:13..and then they do that. I just don't understand it.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17Still to come, with protecting public health
0:21:17 > 0:21:19at the top of the council's agenda,
0:21:19 > 0:21:22enforcement notices are served
0:21:22 > 0:21:24demanding that the business take responsibility
0:21:24 > 0:21:25for their rat problem.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27You'd think they'd take it seriously
0:21:27 > 0:21:29and it's not fair to the residents here, is it?
0:21:29 > 0:21:31You know, they've got this at the back
0:21:31 > 0:21:34and this business hasn't done what they said they would do.
0:21:39 > 0:21:44In the UK, 99% of us get our water supply from a mains source.
0:21:44 > 0:21:48The remaining 1% have a private supply drawn from a spring
0:21:48 > 0:21:50or bore hole.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53But wherever it comes from, it's down to our local councils
0:21:53 > 0:21:57to ensure we all have access to safe water.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00Council officer Kevin Greenwood has received a call
0:22:00 > 0:22:02from property developer Bill Jordan,
0:22:02 > 0:22:05who's made a surprising discovery in his garden.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08We came across this well by chance.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11We were drilling for ground source heat.
0:22:11 > 0:22:15The well is roughly 250 to 300ft deep,
0:22:15 > 0:22:17As we were drilling the well,
0:22:17 > 0:22:22the water shot up about three or four metres into the air
0:22:22 > 0:22:24and we couldn't stop it.
0:22:26 > 0:22:30Alongside saving Bill around £400 a year in water charges,
0:22:30 > 0:22:33the artesian well could also be the start of
0:22:33 > 0:22:35a lucrative business venture.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38Potentially, there could be an endless supply of water,
0:22:38 > 0:22:43of mineral water, spring water, that's what we need clarifying.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46Places like Buxton are famed for the purity of their water
0:22:46 > 0:22:50and have spawned bottling companies with multimillion pound turnovers,
0:22:50 > 0:22:53but before Bill can put his village of Mottram on the water map,
0:22:53 > 0:22:56Kevin must take a sample to be tested
0:22:56 > 0:22:59for bacterium harmful to humans.
0:22:59 > 0:23:03- Morning.- Kevin Greenwood.- The artesian well, Kevin...- Yes.
0:23:03 > 0:23:04..is under the grass.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07- You want it covered up...- Yes. - ..like that? That's how you want it?
0:23:07 > 0:23:09That's how we want it, yes.
0:23:09 > 0:23:13Because there's nothing open there, presumably, against contamination.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15- No, it's capped.- Is it a watertight cap?- It is.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18- To prevent anything seeping into it.- Yes.- Right.
0:23:18 > 0:23:22- Do you want to just indicate where the line of pipes go...- Yes.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25- ..to the point which we're going to take a sample?- Yep.
0:23:25 > 0:23:27Yeah, the line of pipes runs under the lawn.
0:23:28 > 0:23:32Underneath the steps,
0:23:32 > 0:23:36- into the basement.- OK.
0:23:36 > 0:23:40I'm just conscious, conscious of health and safety at work...
0:23:40 > 0:23:42The water from the well is pumped directly to this tap
0:23:42 > 0:23:45and to ensure that a pure sample is taken,
0:23:45 > 0:23:48Kevin needs to methodically sterilise the outlet.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53So this is a chlorine solution which disinfects
0:23:53 > 0:23:56the surfaces of the tap
0:23:56 > 0:24:00and do a little bit more cleaning on the inside,
0:24:00 > 0:24:03give it a wash through and what we'll do afterwards is
0:24:03 > 0:24:07we'll need to flush it by taking more buckets of water...
0:24:09 > 0:24:14..from the tap so that the chlorine doesn't affect the sample
0:24:14 > 0:24:17because we don't want any chlorine in it, otherwise it's going
0:24:17 > 0:24:18not give us a true reading.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24The water arrives and Bill's confident
0:24:24 > 0:24:26that his supply has potential.
0:24:27 > 0:24:31We have actually drank it from when the well was...
0:24:31 > 0:24:36- You've drunk it neat already? - I have, yes.- With no ill effects?
0:24:36 > 0:24:39- Not yet.- And was it nice tasting? - It was lovely, yeah.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43After running the water for ten minutes,
0:24:43 > 0:24:45Kevin can now collect a sample.
0:24:46 > 0:24:50For the water to be safe enough for human consumption, it must be
0:24:50 > 0:24:54clear of bacterium like E.coli that pose health risks.
0:24:57 > 0:25:02- There we go.- What report would be a good report to get back?- Zero.- Right.
0:25:02 > 0:25:06Zero coliforms, zero E.coli, zero everything.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08So that's it, so we'll take it from there.
0:25:08 > 0:25:10- All right, thank you very much. - All right.
0:25:10 > 0:25:14As Kevin takes the sample away for testing, Bill must await
0:25:14 > 0:25:16the results that might have the potential to bring good
0:25:16 > 0:25:19fortune for him and his local community.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22Well, it means that we won't be paying any water rates
0:25:22 > 0:25:27and hopefully if commercially, we can sell the water, it's a goldmine.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46Next on the task list
0:25:46 > 0:25:49for Kevin and environmental services officer Bev Hursthouse
0:25:49 > 0:25:53is a return to a local farm and children's pony party business,
0:25:53 > 0:25:54to check on their hygiene.
0:25:57 > 0:25:59Hi, you all right?
0:25:59 > 0:26:02On their last visit, the owners were out
0:26:02 > 0:26:03so the officers are here to discuss
0:26:03 > 0:26:07the issues arising from their previous inspection and question
0:26:07 > 0:26:09why they've not registered as a food business.
0:26:09 > 0:26:13The part that we're looking at today is, what food's being provided?
0:26:13 > 0:26:14Where's the food prepared?
0:26:14 > 0:26:18Then where they eat it and where the handwashing takes place.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21Well, I mean, to be honest, the food is only a small part of it.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24- It's only been done on a couple of occasions.- OK.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27But it's something we can do. We can look at that.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30So at the moment, a couple of times
0:26:30 > 0:26:34I've just done, like, a little food box with snacks in,
0:26:34 > 0:26:36- crisps, you know, a drink.- OK.
0:26:36 > 0:26:40Chocolate bar, that sort of thing. A sandwich.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42The venture might be small
0:26:42 > 0:26:45but because part of the party cost includes food,
0:26:45 > 0:26:49even making a simple sandwich falls under food hygiene regulations.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52- So food that you're providing, is that made in here, then?- Yeah.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54- This is where it takes place?- Yeah.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57What we would require is that the food business is registered, yes?
0:26:57 > 0:26:58It would just be a registered food business
0:26:58 > 0:27:01and it can provide adequate handwashing facilities.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04See, I'm struggling with this registered food business, I don't...
0:27:04 > 0:27:07Everybody that provides food for the public has to be registered, OK?
0:27:07 > 0:27:10That's something that's been introduced for a long, long time.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13So irrespective of whether you're making burgers, hot dogs,
0:27:13 > 0:27:16- sausage rolls, whatever you're making, or the sandwich, yeah?- Yeah.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18You're still providing food to members of the public,
0:27:18 > 0:27:21so you would then be classed as a food business.
0:27:21 > 0:27:22All we need to make sure is,
0:27:22 > 0:27:25obviously everybody that's kind of consuming food that you've made
0:27:25 > 0:27:27- or that they're going to be eating on the premises is safe.- Yes.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30It's not going to make them poorly or unwell so...
0:27:30 > 0:27:31Can I just clarify, though,
0:27:31 > 0:27:35it seems to have a gone a bit haywire as regards to the food,
0:27:35 > 0:27:37it's more like, can I liken it to a...?
0:27:37 > 0:27:40If you're going to a children's party
0:27:40 > 0:27:43and you're given a piece of cake, birthday cake to take away with you?
0:27:43 > 0:27:47It's the bit that's there, the risk that's there is what's going on
0:27:47 > 0:27:50with what the children are handling and then the contact with the mouth.
0:27:50 > 0:27:54- How do you, how do you monitor that? - The handwashing.
0:27:54 > 0:27:56Once they've eaten their dinner, they can go about playing.
0:27:56 > 0:28:00It's the bit in-between, it's the actual physical of washing hands,
0:28:00 > 0:28:04following on from touching the animals to then eating the dinner.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07What we need is for people to be getting it right, you know,
0:28:07 > 0:28:10and this is why it's a requirement, really, for them
0:28:10 > 0:28:11to register the business.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14Sometimes people don't take it as seriously as they should.
0:28:14 > 0:28:18Food hygiene is potentially, it's a killer, it could be.
0:28:18 > 0:28:21You know, if things go wrong, they can go very wrong.
0:28:23 > 0:28:26This business should have registered 28 days prior to
0:28:26 > 0:28:30offering food. The added issue is that small traces of common E.coli
0:28:30 > 0:28:34were detected in their water supply some months ago.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37Environmental health officer Kevin wants to offer advice on how
0:28:37 > 0:28:41the organisers can avoid cross-contamination
0:28:41 > 0:28:42and keep people safe.
0:28:43 > 0:28:47That sink there is the one where the children are coming in
0:28:47 > 0:28:50to wash their hands, but it's also doubling up as the sink that
0:28:50 > 0:28:54you're using in connection with the food business at the same time.
0:28:55 > 0:28:59We would normally ask for a separate bowl for handwashing.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02In this instance where you've got somebody washing their hands
0:29:02 > 0:29:06with, you know, potentially E.coli on them or whatever, we're in the same
0:29:06 > 0:29:11sink and it's a concern that that might be the sink that you're using.
0:29:11 > 0:29:14Yeah, it goes with the sort of thing that potentially, you know,
0:29:14 > 0:29:17we'll be considering, well, whether it's worth it.
0:29:17 > 0:29:20You do see them where they've got, like, two bowls,
0:29:20 > 0:29:22you can have a drainer if you want as well.
0:29:22 > 0:29:27It's obviously a bigger unit but one side will be for washing hands only,
0:29:27 > 0:29:29that would swivel round, wash your hands only,
0:29:29 > 0:29:31- you're not affecting that side...- Right.
0:29:31 > 0:29:35..in terms of washing up, I think if you're wanting to be, you know,
0:29:35 > 0:29:38safe, then you would want both bowls, really.
0:29:38 > 0:29:39At the end of the day,
0:29:39 > 0:29:41your responsibility is making sure it's safe,
0:29:41 > 0:29:42whether it be health and safety,
0:29:42 > 0:29:45whether it be food safety, whichever. At the end of the day,
0:29:45 > 0:29:48you don't want it on your conscience that somebody's become unwell
0:29:48 > 0:29:50because of something that you've done.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53- Let's go and see where your van is, then.- OK.
0:29:53 > 0:29:56The next area they're keen to inspect is where the children
0:29:56 > 0:29:58eat their party food.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03- Is a table manageable, do you think? - I tend to sit with it...
0:30:03 > 0:30:06- On the knee.- It's all packaged in a box.
0:30:06 > 0:30:08My only other sort of concern would be
0:30:08 > 0:30:11obviously because of the clothing that they're wearing,
0:30:11 > 0:30:14ideally I think a table would probably be better,
0:30:14 > 0:30:18- rather than sitting on the knee. - Yeah.- Sandwich on the knee,
0:30:18 > 0:30:21yeah, they've just really just recontaminated the sandwich there.
0:30:21 > 0:30:23Where are you up to with sort of food hygiene training?
0:30:23 > 0:30:26- I haven't done it...- OK.- ..because I didn't know that I had to.
0:30:26 > 0:30:28Not knowing they needed to register
0:30:28 > 0:30:30means they don't know the regulations,
0:30:30 > 0:30:32but the officers can help them ensure
0:30:32 > 0:30:36the safety of their paying guests is made a top priority.
0:30:36 > 0:30:38In all our undertakings up here,
0:30:38 > 0:30:42- we want to be whiter than white in terms of...- Yeah, got to be.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45..you know, with the water, you know,
0:30:45 > 0:30:50if there's something that's remiss, then, yeah.
0:30:50 > 0:30:52- Thanks for your advice.- No worries.
0:30:52 > 0:30:54The owners are keen to improve,
0:30:54 > 0:30:58but there's work to done before Bev gives them a clean bill of health.
0:30:59 > 0:31:02I think it's good that kids can still experience farm life,
0:31:02 > 0:31:04really, in some respect.
0:31:04 > 0:31:05Hello!
0:31:05 > 0:31:08- You just want to pet it. - You do, though.
0:31:08 > 0:31:11It's just that added extra kind of problem we've got
0:31:11 > 0:31:15with the mix of food and sort of touching the animals,
0:31:15 > 0:31:17but I'm confident.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21Within days, Bev gets the positive news she's be hoping for.
0:31:21 > 0:31:23Yeah, I'm really pleased.
0:31:23 > 0:31:27They took quite serious what we'd said,
0:31:27 > 0:31:29they understood the requirements of having that hand wash sink,
0:31:29 > 0:31:33they fitted that and on that note, really, I can wish them
0:31:33 > 0:31:36all the luck in the world with the business, hope it goes well.
0:31:36 > 0:31:39Thanks to the proactive work by these council officers,
0:31:39 > 0:31:42people can relax and enjoy pony parties,
0:31:42 > 0:31:44knowing their children are safe and well.
0:31:49 > 0:31:54Across the UK, our 433 councils have heroic officers
0:31:54 > 0:31:56working at the coalface of our communities
0:31:56 > 0:31:59enforcing laws set out to keep us safe.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03Today in Tameside, a region-wide operation is taking place
0:32:03 > 0:32:07spot-checking independent stores to ensure they're adhering
0:32:07 > 0:32:10to strict licensing regulations.
0:32:10 > 0:32:11It's a bit nerve-racking
0:32:11 > 0:32:13but at the end of the day it's just your legal requirements
0:32:13 > 0:32:15to do your job, you've got to, it's just law.
0:32:15 > 0:32:17You've got to make sure everything's in line
0:32:17 > 0:32:21so it is nerve-racking when they just walk in, but...
0:32:21 > 0:32:23got to deal with that.
0:32:23 > 0:32:26Council officer Dave Smith and police officer Lisa Cameron
0:32:26 > 0:32:30continue to spot check stores' stock to make sure
0:32:30 > 0:32:32they're not trading in illicit goods.
0:32:32 > 0:32:34- Hello.- Hi, there. Are you OK? - You OK?
0:32:34 > 0:32:37- Do you have your licence here on display?- Yeah.
0:32:38 > 0:32:42They also explain policy relating to underage drinking
0:32:42 > 0:32:44and check their CCTV is working
0:32:44 > 0:32:47and keeping their customers safe.
0:32:47 > 0:32:48- So you've got CCTV.- Yeah.
0:32:48 > 0:32:51I think there's a bit of an issue with your two outside.
0:32:51 > 0:32:54So they're either dirty or they've got water damage,
0:32:54 > 0:32:56- they look like they need a wipe. - Yeah, they need cleaning.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00- Brilliant.- Thanks for your time. Good to meet you.- No problem.
0:33:00 > 0:33:03- All right, cheers. - Thank you very much, bye.
0:33:03 > 0:33:05I think the vast majority of licence holders
0:33:05 > 0:33:08do take their licence seriously. Some places just to seem to think,
0:33:08 > 0:33:11"Right, I've got a licence and that's it. I know what times I can sell to
0:33:11 > 0:33:13"and from and I'll just do that."
0:33:13 > 0:33:15They don't look at the licence as a whole.
0:33:15 > 0:33:17They should know, they should know.
0:33:17 > 0:33:19Our job is really making sure that they know.
0:33:24 > 0:33:25Hello, sir. You OK?
0:33:26 > 0:33:29OK, so you operate a Challenge 25 policy, so if someone
0:33:29 > 0:33:34comes in here and looks under 25, you ask them for ID, is that correct?
0:33:34 > 0:33:36- Yeah.- What happens if they haven't got any ID?
0:33:39 > 0:33:41- If I came to you with a bill? - No, no, no.
0:33:41 > 0:33:44- You'd not accept a bill? - Not accept that.
0:33:44 > 0:33:48- What do you accept?- Only an ID. - So do you accept a driving licence?
0:33:48 > 0:33:52- No, I don't. I don't accept that.- Do you accept a passport?- No, I don't.
0:33:52 > 0:33:55- Now, they're the two that you SHOULD accept.- Yeah, yeah.
0:33:55 > 0:33:58The employees' lack of understanding about the regulations
0:33:58 > 0:34:01rings alarm bells and Dave decides
0:34:01 > 0:34:03to conduct a full search of the premises.
0:34:04 > 0:34:07- Can we go upstairs?- What's up there?
0:34:07 > 0:34:11- Store only.- Store?- Yeah, yeah.- Are we OK to go and have a look?- Yeah.
0:34:11 > 0:34:12Yeah?
0:34:18 > 0:34:20Upstairs, there's clear evidence
0:34:20 > 0:34:23that this room is not used just for storage.
0:34:23 > 0:34:26The majority of it is stock, alcohol,
0:34:26 > 0:34:30you've got soft drinks as well,
0:34:30 > 0:34:34and then turning into the back room here, it's a bit of a dining area.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38A makeshift kitchen, if you can call it that.
0:34:38 > 0:34:42Some sort of stove, that's a risk.
0:34:42 > 0:34:45This place would go up straight away with that there.
0:34:46 > 0:34:48As this room is part of the shop, it also falls
0:34:48 > 0:34:53under its regulations, but with no evidence of a fire risk assessment,
0:34:53 > 0:34:56they're not fully compliant with their licence.
0:34:56 > 0:34:59That, coupled with the staff's lack of understanding
0:34:59 > 0:35:02of trading regulations, means Dave will be firmly advising
0:35:02 > 0:35:06that they cease trading alcohol, as they are committing offences.
0:35:06 > 0:35:09The store is now under further investigation.
0:35:10 > 0:35:14- Yeah, that was pretty unbelievable, that, weren't it?- Definitely.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17They had no incident book, they had some Challenge 25 posters up
0:35:17 > 0:35:19but they're obviously not complying with that
0:35:19 > 0:35:23because he doesn't accept driving licences and passports as valid ID.
0:35:23 > 0:35:25So he obviously doesn't know his thing with that.
0:35:26 > 0:35:29After a full day of inspections, the teams have visited
0:35:29 > 0:35:33over 100 independent stores across the region.
0:35:33 > 0:35:35Hello, sir. You OK?
0:35:35 > 0:35:37Thanks to diligent checks by these officers
0:35:37 > 0:35:39there will be less under-aged drinking,
0:35:39 > 0:35:43crimes relating to alcohol and anti-social behaviour,
0:35:43 > 0:35:47which all go towards saving money for us hardworking taxpayers.
0:35:58 > 0:36:02On the other side of the borough, another war against wrongdoers
0:36:02 > 0:36:05is being waged by the council's unsung heroes.
0:36:06 > 0:36:09The environmental services team has been battling to rid
0:36:09 > 0:36:11the back yard of a takeaway of rats.
0:36:11 > 0:36:13- Yeah, this one here, this shed here.- Right.
0:36:13 > 0:36:15It's absolutely full of rat droppings.
0:36:17 > 0:36:19But the rats are still in residence
0:36:19 > 0:36:22and have even been spotted in the yard of the restaurant next door.
0:36:22 > 0:36:26It's time for the council to flex its legislative muscles.
0:36:26 > 0:36:30Officer Simon Ashton arrives armed with legal notices
0:36:30 > 0:36:32giving both businesses three weeks to clean up.
0:36:32 > 0:36:34I'm serving these notices today really
0:36:34 > 0:36:36to make sure that at the back of the property
0:36:36 > 0:36:39there's nowhere where the actual rats can sort of live.
0:36:39 > 0:36:42You know, we call it harbourage, but really just making sure
0:36:42 > 0:36:45that the premises at the back are free of rodents
0:36:45 > 0:36:48and also at the same time making sure that they seal up all the holes
0:36:48 > 0:36:50and that and the structure where rats could actually be
0:36:50 > 0:36:52getting into the property.
0:36:53 > 0:36:57He inspects the work done to date before delivering the notices.
0:36:58 > 0:37:01This restaurant now has a pest control contract in place
0:37:01 > 0:37:05and has been working hard to keep the rats at bay.
0:37:05 > 0:37:06When I came down here last week,
0:37:06 > 0:37:09there were two rats in there, you could actually see them
0:37:09 > 0:37:12looking out, you know, this was where they'd been harbouring.
0:37:12 > 0:37:16So I spoke to their pest control chap on Thursday and told them
0:37:16 > 0:37:19I'd seen rats in this area and I would have hoped then,
0:37:19 > 0:37:21he will have gone and actually baited this area,
0:37:21 > 0:37:23you know, put some bait down. Just put some gloves on.
0:37:23 > 0:37:26And the poison they've laid seems to be working.
0:37:26 > 0:37:29If you look in here, actually, you can see there's a dead rat
0:37:29 > 0:37:32in the bottom, the actual bottom of the gully.
0:37:32 > 0:37:35So it's taken the bait and one of the things I've asked for
0:37:35 > 0:37:39in the notice is that they actually get this gully replaced
0:37:39 > 0:37:40because it's broken.
0:37:40 > 0:37:42Even though the restaurant has a pest contract
0:37:42 > 0:37:46and has filled a number of holes, it's not enough.
0:37:46 > 0:37:48The notices that I'm serving today are for them
0:37:48 > 0:37:51to actually prevent any sort of rats living in this back yard,
0:37:51 > 0:37:53it's to get the damaged gully replaced
0:37:53 > 0:37:55and it's also to pest-proof the property
0:37:55 > 0:37:58so I want to see all these holes that have developed round here,
0:37:58 > 0:38:00I want them properly sealing up
0:38:00 > 0:38:02so rats can't actually get into the building.
0:38:02 > 0:38:04I've given them three weeks on the notice so obviously
0:38:04 > 0:38:06if the work's not done after three weeks,
0:38:06 > 0:38:08we'll then look at probably the council coming
0:38:08 > 0:38:12and doing the work in default and then obviously bill the people
0:38:12 > 0:38:14who are responsible for this property.
0:38:14 > 0:38:16If the council does the work,
0:38:16 > 0:38:20the business can expect a bill of up to £1,000.
0:38:20 > 0:38:23Next door, at the rear of the takeaway, the problems continue.
0:38:23 > 0:38:27I spoke to the owner of the food business last Monday
0:38:27 > 0:38:30and he assured me that he would get this whole base up.
0:38:30 > 0:38:31Clearly, a week on, he hasn't done that,
0:38:31 > 0:38:34so I'm serving notices on the property next door, but I'm obviously
0:38:34 > 0:38:36going to go back to the office this afternoon
0:38:36 > 0:38:38and get some notices served on this, really,
0:38:38 > 0:38:42because what I'm concerned about is that the rats are actually going
0:38:42 > 0:38:45under the base here and living under what used to be a wooden shed base.
0:38:45 > 0:38:48You've also, if you look there, there are actually holes in the ground,
0:38:48 > 0:38:52you can see where the rats are burrowing into the actual ground.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56It's a public health nuisance
0:38:56 > 0:38:58and you'd think they'd take it seriously,
0:38:58 > 0:39:00it's not fair to the residents here, is it?
0:39:00 > 0:39:02You know, they've got this at the back
0:39:02 > 0:39:05and this business hasn't done what they'd said they would do,
0:39:05 > 0:39:06so I'll have to serve notices now.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09Having received their written warnings,
0:39:09 > 0:39:10the businesses both complied
0:39:10 > 0:39:14and acted to remove the potential for further rat infestations.
0:39:14 > 0:39:18It's another great job done by the hardworking council officers.
0:39:32 > 0:39:34Like his council colleagues nationwide,
0:39:34 > 0:39:37Kevin Greenwood has public service in his DNA.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43The thing that makes me jump out of bed at 6.10 every morning
0:39:43 > 0:39:48when the alarm goes off, even 30 years after it first went off,
0:39:48 > 0:39:51is the fact that I enjoy the job and I enjoy meeting people,
0:39:51 > 0:39:53I enjoy helping people.
0:39:54 > 0:39:58And when the job satisfaction's right, then you're on a winner.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03Today, Kevin's received the results of the water sample
0:40:03 > 0:40:07he took from the well discovered in Bill Jordan's garden.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12But will the results help Bill realise
0:40:12 > 0:40:14the potential of his liquid assets?
0:40:15 > 0:40:18If drinkable, that means we can be bathing in mineral water,
0:40:18 > 0:40:21drinking mineral water, cooking in mineral water
0:40:21 > 0:40:23and potentially sell the mineral water.
0:40:26 > 0:40:28If the water is clear of bacterium
0:40:28 > 0:40:32and safe for human consumption, Bill will also have the right
0:40:32 > 0:40:35to bottle and sell the supply, as it's on his private property.
0:40:38 > 0:40:43So I'm here with the results. We have it here. I'll open it up for you.
0:40:43 > 0:40:47The good news is, the water supply has passed the test, all the tests,
0:40:47 > 0:40:49there was nothing, no contaminants in it
0:40:49 > 0:40:51and it is a satisfactory result.
0:40:51 > 0:40:54- So I think that's what...- Very good, yeah.- ..you were hoping for.
0:40:54 > 0:40:55Yeah, it's excellent news.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00It's basically looking for E.coli and bacteria
0:41:00 > 0:41:03and anything that might cause a problem in terms of health risks
0:41:03 > 0:41:07in drinking the water but from the sample we took,
0:41:07 > 0:41:09everything's come out satisfactory.
0:41:09 > 0:41:13The recommendation is to put an ultraviolet filtration system on
0:41:13 > 0:41:14as belt and braces
0:41:14 > 0:41:19so that if anything should happen in the future, you're covered with that.
0:41:19 > 0:41:20That's always the guidance
0:41:20 > 0:41:24and the guidance from the drinking water inspectorate as well.
0:41:27 > 0:41:30It's all great news for Bill and the community.
0:41:30 > 0:41:35Potentially, it means he could bottle his liquid gold.
0:41:35 > 0:41:38- Thank you very much for your assistance.- All right, yeah.
0:41:38 > 0:41:41Now we can run it into the drinking supply,
0:41:41 > 0:41:46so that eliminates any water charges now which is a good, good factor
0:41:46 > 0:41:47and then from now on,
0:41:47 > 0:41:50we can see what we can do about bottling the water.
0:41:52 > 0:41:55The potential's there and I don't suppose it's going to run out,
0:41:55 > 0:41:57the supply, so he's got a never-ending supply of water
0:41:57 > 0:41:59that from now, he doesn't really have to pay for,
0:41:59 > 0:42:01doesn't even have to pay
0:42:01 > 0:42:05for the electric for a pump and it's coming up under its own pressure.
0:42:05 > 0:42:07It's a good situation, really.
0:42:07 > 0:42:11The welcome result for this resident is thanks, in part,
0:42:11 > 0:42:14to the support of this dedicated local council officer.
0:42:17 > 0:42:19Like their council colleagues nationwide,
0:42:19 > 0:42:23it's been another successful shift for these heroic officers.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26They've re-educated party organisers
0:42:26 > 0:42:29on how to keep their paying guests safe...
0:42:29 > 0:42:31The risk that's there is what's going on with what
0:42:31 > 0:42:34the children are handling and then the contact with their mouth.
0:42:34 > 0:42:36..conducted a borough-wide operation
0:42:36 > 0:42:39clamping down on businesses flouting the law...
0:42:39 > 0:42:43- So do you accept a driving licence? - No, I don't. No accept that.
0:42:43 > 0:42:44- Do you accept a passport?- No.
0:42:44 > 0:42:47- Now, they're the two that you SHOULD accept.- Yeah, yeah.
0:42:47 > 0:42:49..and helped a local resident
0:42:49 > 0:42:52make the most out of an unexpected discovery.
0:42:52 > 0:42:56The good news is, the water supply has passed the test,
0:42:56 > 0:42:59all the tests, there was nothing, no contaminants in it
0:42:59 > 0:43:01and it is a satisfactory result.
0:43:01 > 0:43:03But most importantly, they've worked tirelessly
0:43:03 > 0:43:06to help their residents when they Call The Council.
0:43:06 > 0:43:09Whatever job we're doing, it's always to protect the public.
0:43:09 > 0:43:12It's always with the public in mind, you know, we are public servants,
0:43:12 > 0:43:14that's what we're here for.
0:43:14 > 0:43:16I do love it, I really do enjoy my job.