0:00:03 > 0:00:05From waste and recycling
0:00:05 > 0:00:09to pest control and Trading Standards,
0:00:09 > 0:00:12the taxes that we pay to our local councils
0:00:12 > 0:00:15are used to provide many 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 frontline staff
0:00:21 > 0:00:25working behind the walls of Tameside Town Hall in Greater Manchester.
0:00:27 > 0:00:29Like council offices across the country,
0:00:29 > 0:00:33these local heroes are waging war on those blighting our communities.
0:00:33 > 0:00:37Oy, oy, oy! Excuse me, love, you can't do that!
0:00:37 > 0:00:39They're protecting us from hidden dangers.
0:00:39 > 0:00:42The business owner has got a duty to make sure that he's
0:00:42 > 0:00:44protecting his business
0:00:44 > 0:00:46and the people that are coming in to buy food from his business.
0:00:46 > 0:00:50Making sure our cash is spent on those who need it most.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53I'm at a loose end. I do not know where to turn.
0:00:53 > 0:00:57And responding to their residents when they call the council.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06Coming up, council officers are shocked by a takeaway
0:01:06 > 0:01:09flouting food hygiene regulations.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13- You need to get a disinfectant. - Never heard of it.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16- Come on.- No, I've never heard of it. Disinfectant, what's one of them?
0:01:16 > 0:01:20'That's possibly the worst example I've come across in my 20 years
0:01:20 > 0:01:23'nearly of being an environmental health officer.'
0:01:23 > 0:01:27Go above and beyond the call of duty to help a young entrepreneur make
0:01:27 > 0:01:31- his sweet dreams a reality.- Everyone is buzzing about it at the minute.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33It just seems to be taking off really well
0:01:33 > 0:01:35and everyone in the local community has been supporting it.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38And burn the midnight oil and rubber
0:01:38 > 0:01:41to help local teens turn their lives around.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58The nation's local councils provide us with services that play a crucial
0:01:58 > 0:02:03role in keeping our communities clean, safe and us free from harm.
0:02:04 > 0:02:10Almost two million unsung heroes work for our 433 local authorities.
0:02:10 > 0:02:14Amongst their ranks, are Enforcement Officers working on behalf
0:02:14 > 0:02:18of residents in the Greater Manchester Borough of Tameside.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21Street lighting? Yes, of course. One moment, thank you.
0:02:27 > 0:02:29When people call the council here,
0:02:29 > 0:02:32officers like Monica Gartside are on hand to help out.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36The council has a very important job to do
0:02:36 > 0:02:40because it's all about protecting the public health.
0:02:40 > 0:02:44My role within the council is to do the job as efficiently as I can
0:02:44 > 0:02:47without it costing a lot of money to the taxpayer.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52Monica and her Environmental Health colleagues nationwide
0:02:52 > 0:02:56are responsible for keeping us free from illness by inspecting
0:02:56 > 0:03:00and rating the hygiene regimes of all food businesses.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03The frequency of inspection and ratings given are determined
0:03:03 > 0:03:08by stringent guidelines laid down by the Food Standards Agency
0:03:08 > 0:03:11and the level of concern a business might cause the council.
0:03:11 > 0:03:15Inspections of the worst offending outlets take place at least
0:03:15 > 0:03:19every six months and others every 18.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23The most hygienic will be rated as a five. The least just one.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29Over the past five years, after a series of calls to the council,
0:03:29 > 0:03:33Monica's been inspecting a takeaway that had been home to rats.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36There's still quite a lot of waste on the ground
0:03:36 > 0:03:39and there's a lot of rat droppings in here.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42Monica discovered that the takeaway and its new management team
0:03:42 > 0:03:45were also battling with a blocked sewage outlet.
0:03:45 > 0:03:46It's not your fault.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48We'll deal with the outside
0:03:48 > 0:03:50but you need to just make sure there's no smell coming from inside.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52That's OK with me.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55But it's not just the problems outside that have
0:03:55 > 0:03:56been concerning Monica.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59Tonight she's making another inspection.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03Two months ago, she discovered that hygiene levels were falling short
0:04:03 > 0:04:06and demanded that the management put things right.
0:04:06 > 0:04:11I gave Mr Saghir a list of things to do really for tonight.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14Mainly they involve cleaning and disinfection of the business
0:04:14 > 0:04:16and also one member of his staff
0:04:16 > 0:04:19should have been on a food hygiene training course by now
0:04:19 > 0:04:22and the others should hopefully be booked on hygiene training courses.
0:04:22 > 0:04:27I hope he's done it all, but if he hasn't, I'll need to
0:04:27 > 0:04:31look at taking further action against the food business operator.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34If the work hasn't been done, Monica could be forced to
0:04:34 > 0:04:37close the business until it comes up to scratch.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42As soon as she's over the threshold Monica spots one of the most
0:04:42 > 0:04:45dangerous breaches of food hygiene regulations.
0:04:45 > 0:04:50My main concern at the moment is that, um...
0:04:50 > 0:04:52Obviously, this is raw chicken
0:04:52 > 0:04:54and it can contain a lot of bugs
0:04:54 > 0:04:56that cause food poisoning.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59So what do you use this side for,
0:04:59 > 0:05:02this particular part of the sink?
0:05:02 > 0:05:05Er, this one just for washing up.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08What do you normally wash up in here?
0:05:08 > 0:05:10What kind of things would you wash up?
0:05:10 > 0:05:12Just like a couple of trays
0:05:12 > 0:05:16and maybe the pizza cutter.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19The worry I have now is, um, because they are draining there,
0:05:19 > 0:05:22that sink now at the moment will have
0:05:22 > 0:05:25raw chicken juice bits in the bottom.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29Yeah. It's not much water that's gone through there.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32Yeah, you don't need much really.
0:05:32 > 0:05:33- You wouldn't need a lot.- Yeah.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35The other thing is, the sink, at the moment,
0:05:35 > 0:05:37doesn't look very clean to me.
0:05:37 > 0:05:42That looks cleaner than my house, kitchen anyway.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45Mr Saghir's reaction is not what Monica expected.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48It's a serious concern.
0:05:48 > 0:05:53One of the biggest challenges is that anybody can start a food business
0:05:53 > 0:05:57without any qualifications, without knowing a lot about food
0:05:57 > 0:05:58or food hygiene.
0:05:58 > 0:06:03Catering seems to be one of those areas where anyone can have a go.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06But Monica must be confident that all staff are following
0:06:06 > 0:06:11strict hygiene regulations, laid down by the Food Standards Agency
0:06:11 > 0:06:13at every step of the cooking process.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15So by the time it gets in here,
0:06:15 > 0:06:21what you don't want is for that chicken to get recontaminated again,
0:06:21 > 0:06:24so that's why I'm worried about the washing up.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27Hidden under the stairs, Monica is shown another workspace.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31- Just very small, isn't it? - Yeah, it is small, yeah.
0:06:31 > 0:06:33Needs to be a bit cleaner, really.
0:06:33 > 0:06:35I'm also... I don't know.
0:06:35 > 0:06:36Is that paint going to come off?
0:06:36 > 0:06:39Cos this is so close to the breading area, you need to make sure you don't
0:06:39 > 0:06:44get any paint bits or old crumbling plaster getting into the flour.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53Food-borne germs that cause illness like diarrhoea and salmonella
0:06:53 > 0:06:58are easily spread if high standards of hygiene are not maintained.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01How do you think you'll ever clean that area?
0:07:01 > 0:07:04You really need to keep that clean.
0:07:04 > 0:07:08How come you've got all that grease there? Is that dropping down?
0:07:08 > 0:07:10Yeah, it's probably from the tray, yeah.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13But here, even the basic hygiene practices
0:07:13 > 0:07:15are not being observed properly.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19I think this would need to be a lot cleaner than it is.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22It should be squeaky clean really.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25As the inspection moves upstairs,
0:07:25 > 0:07:26Monica spots a solution that
0:07:26 > 0:07:29could remove the potential for cross-contamination.
0:07:31 > 0:07:36- Would you consider putting a sink up here?- Not at the moment.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38Why's that?
0:07:38 > 0:07:40Can't afford it.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44I think since you've been inside, not even one phone rung.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49That shows how quiet it is. No customers coming inside.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53Whether a business is making money or not,
0:07:53 > 0:07:54it has to comply with the law.
0:07:54 > 0:07:58On her last inspection, Monica demanded that the staff attend
0:07:58 > 0:08:01hygiene courses to help them understand the law
0:08:01 > 0:08:04and learn how to prepare and cook food safely.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07So none of you have gone on a food hygiene training course yet,
0:08:07 > 0:08:09but you're planning to go, three of you?
0:08:09 > 0:08:12But Monica's not letting them get away with it.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14So the three of you are going to go on
0:08:14 > 0:08:17a food hygiene training course in December, yeah.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20I will send you details.
0:08:20 > 0:08:24Back downstairs, Monica makes her final demands.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27I'm going to have to serve some improvement notices.
0:08:27 > 0:08:31- You need to do more cleaning and disinfection...- Hmm.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33..and something has to be done with this.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36If you get one food poisoning outbreak...
0:08:38 > 0:08:40..that's it really. It's too risky.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43If I were you, I'd be very concerned about this.
0:08:43 > 0:08:47I don't know... I think a sink upstairs...
0:08:49 > 0:08:53The cost of that versus how much it could cost you if you have a problem,
0:08:53 > 0:08:55if you have some kind of contamination problem,
0:08:55 > 0:08:57is going to be very small.
0:09:00 > 0:09:04It's been a difficult inspection for this dogged local council hero.
0:09:04 > 0:09:09I'm frustrated. I'm very... I'm just, I am very frustrated at the moment.
0:09:09 > 0:09:13But what I need to do now is use the powers
0:09:13 > 0:09:16we have effectively to make improvements.
0:09:16 > 0:09:20If they don't do what is asked of them, we would look to take
0:09:20 > 0:09:23further legal action against the food business operator.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28Coming up, despite the threat of legal action,
0:09:28 > 0:09:32staff at the takeaway continue to baffle a battle-weary Monica.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36- You need to get a disinfectant. Have you...- Never heard of it.
0:09:36 > 0:09:40- Come on.- No, I've never heard of it. Disinfectant? What's one of them?
0:09:46 > 0:09:50Our local councils are currently being given greater freedom
0:09:50 > 0:09:53to respond to the specific needs of their area.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57They don't just inspect our restaurants or empty our bins,
0:09:57 > 0:10:00but also strive to support the local economy.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03The UK's high streets are facing a serious challenge
0:10:03 > 0:10:06from out of town shopping centres and online retail,
0:10:06 > 0:10:10with 50,000 shops currently standing empty.
0:10:10 > 0:10:14In response, central government has set out a billion pound package
0:10:14 > 0:10:17of measures to support the UK's high streets.
0:10:17 > 0:10:22Included in this is the creation of 330 Town Teams.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26Us residents and local business owners can apply to join MPs
0:10:26 > 0:10:29and council officers like Alison Lloyd-Walsh on these Town Teams
0:10:29 > 0:10:33to work together for the greater good of the high street.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36Town Teams were initially brought together by the council
0:10:36 > 0:10:40but it's very much about businesses, the community,
0:10:40 > 0:10:44faith groups all coming together to discuss
0:10:44 > 0:10:47and decide the best way forward for their individual town centres.
0:10:51 > 0:10:56Today Alison's putting on a brave face, a fancy dress costume,
0:10:56 > 0:10:58and fighting the elements.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01If we put any more balloons on this, it might fly off.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04She's helped organize an event to showcase local businesses
0:11:04 > 0:11:08and retailers, giving them a helping hand in challenging times.
0:11:08 > 0:11:09Hello. How are you?
0:11:11 > 0:11:14Businesses can't survive without the community of Denton, so what we're
0:11:14 > 0:11:18trying to do is a series of events to get people used to coming back
0:11:18 > 0:11:22into the town centre to use the local shops and to support new businesses.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26So, for the Town Team, it's a mix of business and community.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30Hurricane!
0:11:30 > 0:11:33One young entrepreneur hoping to drum up business today
0:11:33 > 0:11:36is 21-year-old Sam Ward.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40- And, look, the sun's come out. - Finally.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42The sun shines on the righteous.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45Normally Sam sells his traditional sweets from a stall
0:11:45 > 0:11:47at the local market.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49Got your Sherbet Fountains, your Dip Dabs,
0:11:49 > 0:11:53all the classics that everyone knows about. Obviously the Mega Lollies.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55Everyone remembers Mega Lollies. Coltsfoot Rock.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58That's one that no-one seems to be able to get hold of anymore
0:11:58 > 0:12:00and that's pretty much what we're trying to go for now.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02We're just trying to keep everything traditional
0:12:02 > 0:12:05and bring back all those memories.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08But Sam's got big plans for his market stall.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11Hopefully, the next step will be to get some form of shop or
0:12:11 > 0:12:15premises where we can take this and bring the experience indoors,
0:12:15 > 0:12:18so we can trade all year round.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21Have you had them before? They're well nice.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24Against the backdrop of high overheads and business rates,
0:12:24 > 0:12:27new enterprises like Sam's struggle to grow.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29But thanks to Alison and the Town Team,
0:12:29 > 0:12:34Sam's been given the go ahead to build and install a pop-up shop.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37One of the great things about a pop-up shop or temporary shop,
0:12:37 > 0:12:40whatever you want to call it, is it helps people like Sam
0:12:40 > 0:12:45move from a market stall into a more permanent home without having
0:12:45 > 0:12:49to take on all the complications or financial risk of leasing a shop.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52Alison's helped introduce Sam to Bill Jennings,
0:12:52 > 0:12:56an architect and chair of the local Town Team.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59Bill's offered to lend Sam a plot of land on which he can
0:12:59 > 0:13:01install his temporary shop.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03He doesn't pay any business rates.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05He doesn't pay me any rent because, to me,
0:13:05 > 0:13:07it's just an empty piece of land for the time being.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10In five year's time, if he's moved on and got a bigger proper shop,
0:13:10 > 0:13:12that's fantastic.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15I'm hoping it sets him up in business and maybe it'll become a franchise
0:13:15 > 0:13:17and you'll see his little sweet shops popping up all over
0:13:17 > 0:13:19the country eventually.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21Working hard and largely unseen,
0:13:21 > 0:13:24councils and Town Teams across the country have information
0:13:24 > 0:13:28about pop-up spaces like Sam's available to anyone who calls.
0:13:28 > 0:13:29There's no shop there at the minute,
0:13:29 > 0:13:31but it's literally going to be like that.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33It's like someone's going to wave their wand
0:13:33 > 0:13:35and one's going to appear overnight.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37It's going to be really good.
0:13:38 > 0:13:42Still to come, Sam's shop pops up on the high street
0:13:42 > 0:13:46but can Bill and Alison help his sweet dreams become a reality?
0:13:46 > 0:13:48This is the first step of an entrepreneurial millionaire
0:13:48 > 0:13:51hopefully.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59It's not just aspiring entrepreneurs
0:13:59 > 0:14:01that our local councils reach out to.
0:14:01 > 0:14:06The country's 433 local authorities are here to help us all,
0:14:06 > 0:14:11but make a special effort to seek out and help those most in need.
0:14:11 > 0:14:15In Tameside, one local council hero is going above and beyond the
0:14:15 > 0:14:19call of duty and giving all he can back to the community he serves.
0:14:19 > 0:14:23The Council's chief mechanic Dave Allott dedicates his spare time
0:14:23 > 0:14:24to helping local children,
0:14:24 > 0:14:27some of whom have been dealt a rough hand by life.
0:14:27 > 0:14:33By the end of tonight, I want them two wings on, fitted, secured down,
0:14:33 > 0:14:37headlights all wired up and working, yeah? Let's go.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41Some of these teens are referred to the council by the police
0:14:41 > 0:14:43and social services.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46Others join because they simply love cars.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49For three years, selfless Dave's been spending Thursday nights
0:14:49 > 0:14:52giving something back to his community.
0:14:53 > 0:14:57The project is designed for young adults
0:14:57 > 0:14:59who have had difficult upbringings
0:14:59 > 0:15:02for all sorts of different reasons.
0:15:02 > 0:15:07We've had two or three of them who have been really down and worn,
0:15:07 > 0:15:09as far down as you can go really.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11OK, are you ready?
0:15:11 > 0:15:14Watch your faces cos you might just get a bit of a dribble.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17- It's running up your sleeve. - Thanks very much for that(!)
0:15:17 > 0:15:20The scheme is designed to give teenagers a chance
0:15:20 > 0:15:24to work as a team, gain valuable experience and self-esteem
0:15:24 > 0:15:26by building a kit car.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28First time! First time!
0:15:31 > 0:15:34The project is self-sustaining because once the car's constructed
0:15:34 > 0:15:37they sell it back to car Manufacturers, Caterham,
0:15:37 > 0:15:39who then provide them with another kit
0:15:39 > 0:15:42for the next group of youngsters.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44I never cease to be amazed about just how well they do.
0:15:44 > 0:15:49Considering they're amateurs, stuff like that, it's really, really good.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53Each group has six months to build the car and, over the years,
0:15:53 > 0:15:57Dave's really made a difference to these teenagers' lives.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59Head first. Under you go.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01'We've had three who have gone through college
0:16:01 > 0:16:03'and trained up as mechanics.'
0:16:03 > 0:16:06We've got one now who's a full-time mechanic, so, yeah,
0:16:06 > 0:16:09it's done really, really well.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12OK, you take over.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16If this project wasn't here, I probably wouldn't be in college.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18I'd probably still be looking for a college application.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22- That's one side done. - I quite enjoyed it recently.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25A reason to get out of the house. This is the only thing I can do.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29- Get out of the house. It's more better.- Side lights?- Yeah.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31- Headlights?- Yeah.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33- And main beam?- Yeah.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36Yeah, the wiring in there is absolutely spot on.
0:16:36 > 0:16:37Ha ha!
0:16:37 > 0:16:38Well done, that man!
0:16:38 > 0:16:41Makes me feel extremely proud how the kids work.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43I would say some of the kids have had problems.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46If I ask them to do something, there's no arguing,
0:16:46 > 0:16:48there's no quarrels, they just set about and do it.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51They're brilliant.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53- Is that it?- Well done.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55HORN BLARES
0:16:57 > 0:17:01Still to come, heroic Dave takes more time out to treat the teens
0:17:01 > 0:17:04to an afternoon of handbrake turns and burning rubber.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20Across town, Enforcement Officer Monica's resuming her heroic battle
0:17:20 > 0:17:23to protect the public from food poisoning.
0:17:23 > 0:17:27Monica's issued staff at this takeaway with legal notices
0:17:27 > 0:17:30demanding that they prevent cross-contamination by installing
0:17:30 > 0:17:33a sink upstairs, do more cleaning
0:17:33 > 0:17:37and that staff go on a food hygiene training course.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39I'd be very concerned about this.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41If you get one food poisoning outbreak...
0:17:43 > 0:17:44..that's it really.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48But three months have passed
0:17:48 > 0:17:52and so far none of the staff have been on a course.
0:17:52 > 0:17:53How's the training situation going?
0:17:53 > 0:17:56I have booked it. I emailed it today.
0:17:56 > 0:17:57What time?
0:17:57 > 0:18:02Roughly about... half two and then I woke up.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06A sink has been installed upstairs,
0:18:06 > 0:18:09but it doesn't look like it's being used as requested,
0:18:09 > 0:18:12so Monica challenges yet another member of staff.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15Now, you know when the sink went in upstairs,
0:18:15 > 0:18:18the idea was to move all the washing-up upstairs
0:18:18 > 0:18:21- and just use this for raw chicken only, nothing else?- Yeah.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23So I'm wondering what you use that board for.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25A chopping board.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28- Yeah, and obviously you've got all your knives here.- Yeah.
0:18:28 > 0:18:29So where are they getting washed up?
0:18:29 > 0:18:33- Where you washing this? - I washed that down there.
0:18:33 > 0:18:34Should I wash it upstairs next time?
0:18:34 > 0:18:37Everything. Wash everything upstairs. Just...
0:18:37 > 0:18:40I washed the chopping board there. I'm not going to lie to you.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43I know. You see, I don't want you to do that,
0:18:43 > 0:18:46because there's going to be raw chicken juice
0:18:46 > 0:18:48all over this area every single day,
0:18:48 > 0:18:51and the idea of putting the sink upstairs
0:18:51 > 0:18:53is to separate out raw and cooked.
0:18:54 > 0:18:56I'll wash it next time upstairs.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59Just start doing it.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01Yeah, you tell him everything needs to go upstairs.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03I know, but I've told him before.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07Back upstairs, there's even more evidence
0:19:07 > 0:19:11that staff haven't heeded Monica's advice or warnings.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13Why do you still have this stuff in here?
0:19:14 > 0:19:18- Why can't you just...- Throw it?- Yeah.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20- What is it for? What is the point? - It is only a blanket.
0:19:20 > 0:19:26Yes, but why do you have pillows and blankets and duvets? What is this?
0:19:26 > 0:19:30I don't know. This has been here for many years.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33I know, but it doesn't matter what happened years ago.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36We don't use that side. You want me to throw that?
0:19:36 > 0:19:37I want you to do that now, please.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40I don't want to walk away from here again
0:19:40 > 0:19:43and not know that's gone in the bin. Just throw it out, please.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46I can't just keep telling you what to do.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48That's the whole point of you going on the training course,
0:19:48 > 0:19:50so you know what to do, and all of this stuff is just...
0:19:50 > 0:19:53- It is just rubbish. - It is rubbish, exactly.
0:19:56 > 0:20:00There is evidence of practice of risk of cross contamination
0:20:00 > 0:20:05and just not very proactive attitude.
0:20:05 > 0:20:07Cleaning is an issue.
0:20:07 > 0:20:12I need to check disinfection, but I have a feeling there isn't any...
0:20:12 > 0:20:15disinfectant on the premises... either, so...
0:20:17 > 0:20:19Anyway, the story goes on, basically.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24I'm going to go downstairs now and check a few more things.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26It is just a nightmare.
0:20:27 > 0:20:31Monica's job to protect the public from illness is rarely easy,
0:20:31 > 0:20:33but staff at this takeaway
0:20:33 > 0:20:37are making it even more difficult than normal.
0:20:37 > 0:20:42- You need to get a disinfectant. Have you...- Never heard of it. - Come on!
0:20:42 > 0:20:44I've never heard of it. Disinfectant? What's one of them?
0:20:44 > 0:20:50- You are not serious.- I am being serious.- Um...a disinfectant...
0:20:50 > 0:20:53- I'll write it down for you. You have to get one.- I know how to spell it.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56It is not that. It is just I will write down a bit about it.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58You have to get disinfectant.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03I can't believe you don't have one. I can't believe it.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06That is possibly the worst example I have ever
0:21:06 > 0:21:11come across in my 20 years of being an environmental health officer,
0:21:11 > 0:21:14that somebody wasn't clear on what a disinfectant was.
0:21:14 > 0:21:18Right through the regulations, it talks about having to make
0:21:18 > 0:21:21sure that certain surfaces and certain equipment are cleaned
0:21:21 > 0:21:25and disinfected, any equipment that comes in touch with food needs
0:21:25 > 0:21:28to be disinfected with a disinfectant.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32So it is one of the fundamentals.
0:21:33 > 0:21:37This is one of the toughest jobs Monica has ever had to tackle.
0:21:37 > 0:21:42- Are you happy, Monica? Are you happy?- No, not really.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45- Tell me what's the problem.- I'm not going to talk about it now. Yeah?
0:21:45 > 0:21:47OK?
0:21:47 > 0:21:50- That's it.- All right. OK. No problem.- All right.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55After hours battling on behalf of her residents
0:21:55 > 0:21:58in a bid to protect them and precious council resources,
0:21:58 > 0:22:02Monica has no other option but to resort to the law.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06If found guilty of failing to comply with food hygiene regulations,
0:22:06 > 0:22:09the management could face a fine of up to £20,000.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14I found it difficult to know what to do with these guys.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16I would say it is definitely the most frustrating case
0:22:16 > 0:22:18I have ever had to deal with.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25One member of staff at the takeaway Monica inspected
0:22:25 > 0:22:29has now attended and passed a hygiene training course.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31The manager was legally cautioned,
0:22:31 > 0:22:33but says he will now be doing all he can
0:22:33 > 0:22:35to comply with food safety regulations.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47Local councils the length and breadth of the country
0:22:47 > 0:22:52strive to provide us with the best service they can throughout our lives.
0:22:52 > 0:22:56But even in death, our councils try to take responsibility for us.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00Mike Gurney, head of Bereavement Services in Tameside,
0:23:00 > 0:23:03is charged with adapting and improving the council's cemeteries
0:23:03 > 0:23:07in response to its residents' ever-changing needs.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10It's surprising how this has been filled up quite quickly, really.
0:23:10 > 0:23:142003 we started burying in here, and it is nearly full,
0:23:14 > 0:23:18so that is why I am looking at extending the cemetery.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21Despite having no legal duty to provide burial space,
0:23:21 > 0:23:23most local councils in the UK
0:23:23 > 0:23:26maintain and manage cemeteries for their residents.
0:23:26 > 0:23:30There are around 4,000 council-run cemeteries in the UK.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32Tameside has eight.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34Mike wants to make sure each one
0:23:34 > 0:23:36provides a safe, warm place for reflection,
0:23:36 > 0:23:38even if it means making changes.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41This place used to be the gravediggers' mess room,
0:23:41 > 0:23:42believe it or not.
0:23:42 > 0:23:47We saw the potential of doing something with it for families,
0:23:47 > 0:23:50so we moved the gravediggers out into a mobile unit
0:23:50 > 0:23:53and we've transformed this into a Memorial Lodge.
0:23:53 > 0:23:57This is the book of remembrance where the pages are turned every day,
0:23:57 > 0:24:00and this used to be kept up at the chapel, and what I hated
0:24:00 > 0:24:02was families coming to funerals
0:24:02 > 0:24:05were disturbed by families visiting the book, and families visiting the book,
0:24:05 > 0:24:09when they wanted peace and quiet, they were disturbed by funerals.
0:24:09 > 0:24:13Families can come in here and pay their respects in a nice dry area.
0:24:13 > 0:24:15People can put cards in here for their loved ones.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18When it is Mother's Day and Father's Day we put extra stands in.
0:24:18 > 0:24:20It is just a nice, peaceful room.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27Everybody has a lot of connection with the council
0:24:27 > 0:24:30and sometimes they don't realise how much they use the council,
0:24:30 > 0:24:32because a lot goes on behind the scenes
0:24:32 > 0:24:34the public aren't aware of
0:24:34 > 0:24:37and don't realise some of the services we do deliver.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40Bereavement services are constantly evolving.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43More than 70% of us are now choosing cremations
0:24:43 > 0:24:46instead of traditional burials.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48To meet the demand of cremations,
0:24:48 > 0:24:51as they took off in the '60s and '70s,
0:24:51 > 0:24:54this chapel was converted into a crematorium chapel, and this is where
0:24:54 > 0:24:58we carry out about 2,000 funerals a year, in this one building.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01We can do up to about 14, 15 funerals a day.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06Behind the facade of this 19th-century chapel
0:25:06 > 0:25:10hides a 21st-century approach to cremations.
0:25:10 > 0:25:12Each cremator has its own computer.
0:25:12 > 0:25:16It tells us the temperatures, any emissions coming out.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19This one tells me at the moment that this body has been in the cremator
0:25:19 > 0:25:24for 1.5 hours, which is about the average time for a cremation, really.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26The larger the person - this sounds a bit bizarre,
0:25:26 > 0:25:29but the larger the person, the quicker the cremation process is,
0:25:29 > 0:25:33because there is more fat on the body to help cremation along.
0:25:33 > 0:25:35And Mike's crematorium is evolving,
0:25:35 > 0:25:39even responding to modern environmental demands.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42One of the things we did when we were at the forefront of this
0:25:42 > 0:25:46was heat our chapel from the excess heat that the cremators make.
0:25:48 > 0:25:5282 per cent of the population we asked agreed with it, and we now
0:25:52 > 0:25:56heat the chapel from the excess energy coming from the cremators.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58And it is not like some people think.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00We don't have an electronic board saying,
0:26:00 > 0:26:04"today your heat is provided by Elsie Jones" - it is not like that.
0:26:04 > 0:26:05It is just the excess energy
0:26:05 > 0:26:07that is being used to heat the chapel.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13After being removed from the chambers,
0:26:13 > 0:26:15the cremated ashes are put into the cremulator,
0:26:15 > 0:26:19a machine filled with ball bearings that crush them into a fine powder.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24Any metal that's found in there is taken out with a magnet,
0:26:24 > 0:26:28and this is obviously a hip joint, a metal hip joint that was
0:26:28 > 0:26:33in somebody that had to be removed following the cremation process.
0:26:33 > 0:26:35I'm not too sure what that is.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37It is a metal reward of some description that
0:26:37 > 0:26:42was in somebody's leg, I presume, and again, there's various...
0:26:42 > 0:26:44that looks like... I think that was a kneecap,
0:26:44 > 0:26:49somebody's kneecap, and various metal pins.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52These sort of things have to be taken out.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56Our code of practice states that any metal
0:26:56 > 0:26:59we find has to be buried in the grounds of the cemetery,
0:26:59 > 0:27:01so every month,
0:27:01 > 0:27:04we empty all the metal into an area of the cemetery that can't be
0:27:04 > 0:27:07used for burials, because that is where the metal is kept and recorded.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09And after several hours,
0:27:09 > 0:27:11the cremated remains are stored, awaiting collection.
0:27:11 > 0:27:15These are the cremated remains that are left afterwards.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17Just a bag of remains, really.
0:27:17 > 0:27:23That is where everybody ends up at the end of the day.
0:27:23 > 0:27:25Mike's mission to keep the council's cemeteries up to date
0:27:25 > 0:27:28and provide an efficient, cost-effective service
0:27:28 > 0:27:31for his residents allows him and his team to carry out
0:27:31 > 0:27:34some extremely sensitive services in the right way.
0:27:36 > 0:27:38Coming up, Mike leads a cremation ceremony that,
0:27:38 > 0:27:42despite happening monthly, never gets easier.
0:27:42 > 0:27:47It's quite a sad sight to see so many babies together in the chapel.
0:27:47 > 0:27:48There's 22 today.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00The nation's local councils are on the hunt
0:28:00 > 0:28:02for ways to help our communities prosper
0:28:02 > 0:28:06and champion individuals who want to contribute to the cause.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09One plucky resident getting a helping hand from his council
0:28:09 > 0:28:12is market-stall sweet seller Sam Ward.
0:28:12 > 0:28:17His dream is to have a permanent roof over his business's head.
0:28:17 > 0:28:18Well, hopefully, the next step
0:28:18 > 0:28:20will be to get some form of shop or premises,
0:28:20 > 0:28:24that we can take this and bring the experience indoors.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27Council officer Alison Lloyd-Walsh
0:28:27 > 0:28:30is helping Sam find a way to do this.
0:28:30 > 0:28:34Sam's doing something fairly unique and new for us, which is
0:28:34 > 0:28:38the concept of this pop-up shop, which is
0:28:38 > 0:28:42a semi-permanent structure which allows Sam to make the transition
0:28:42 > 0:28:47from having a market stall to something a bit more permanent.
0:28:48 > 0:28:51Alison's introduced Sam to a local businessman
0:28:51 > 0:28:55who's helping him fund and build a temporary or pop-up shop.
0:28:55 > 0:29:00Today's she checking its progress and is greeted by Sam and his dad.
0:29:00 > 0:29:02Hello, how are you?
0:29:02 > 0:29:04Nice to see you again.
0:29:04 > 0:29:07- At least the weather's nice this time. You OK?- Hiya.- Hi, Alison.
0:29:07 > 0:29:09All right?
0:29:09 > 0:29:12Once built, the shop will be delivered to an area of unused land
0:29:12 > 0:29:14on the high street.
0:29:14 > 0:29:17It's a great example of councils working hand in hand with business
0:29:17 > 0:29:20to rejuvenate our town centres.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23I didn't actually think it were this big. It looks great.
0:29:23 > 0:29:24When you think of a pop-up shop,
0:29:24 > 0:29:28you tend to think of a little gazebo or a tent or something
0:29:28 > 0:29:30similar to your market stall, but this is far more substantial.
0:29:30 > 0:29:32It looks great.
0:29:32 > 0:29:34It's going to be so unique and there's going to be
0:29:34 > 0:29:37nothing around there in the area without going into the city centre.
0:29:37 > 0:29:40I think that's everyone's going to be crowding in, basically.
0:29:40 > 0:29:43Just to get a glimpse of what's being sold.
0:29:45 > 0:29:48In three weeks, Sam's shop hits the high street,
0:29:48 > 0:29:52but will its arrival make or break this plucky entrepreneur?
0:29:52 > 0:29:55I tell you what, mate, you're the centre of attention today.
0:29:55 > 0:29:58- Everybody wants to know what's happening.- Big news today.
0:30:09 > 0:30:11Back at the council garage,
0:30:11 > 0:30:14another council worker is going above and beyond the call of duty
0:30:14 > 0:30:18and giving something back to his community.
0:30:18 > 0:30:19OK, are you ready?
0:30:19 > 0:30:21Watch your faces, cos you might just get a bit of a dribble.
0:30:21 > 0:30:24- It's running up my sleeve! - Thanks very much for that!
0:30:26 > 0:30:30Dave Allott's mission is to help teenagers turn their lives around
0:30:30 > 0:30:33and give others hands-on mechanical experience.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39I never cease to be amazed how well they do.
0:30:39 > 0:30:44Considering they are all amateurs and stuff like that, it's really good.
0:30:46 > 0:30:50Today, Dave's taking the group out of the garage
0:30:50 > 0:30:52for a very special surprise.
0:30:52 > 0:30:55Right, we're going down to the Birmingham auto show,
0:30:55 > 0:30:57and it's guests of Caterham.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00The kids know we're going on a day out, but they're not quite
0:31:00 > 0:31:03sure where we're going to and what they're going to do.
0:31:09 > 0:31:10Birmingham NEC
0:31:10 > 0:31:14is home to the Autosport International Racing Car Show,
0:31:14 > 0:31:16a heaven for any aspiring mechanic.
0:31:18 > 0:31:20We'll get two, shall we? One each.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25Dave's making time to motivate the teenagers
0:31:25 > 0:31:27and potentially provide some inspiration
0:31:27 > 0:31:29for life beyond the garage.
0:31:29 > 0:31:31Ours has got four litre suspension on the back, hasn't it?
0:31:31 > 0:31:34- Yeah.- Drive shafts. This one's not.
0:31:34 > 0:31:37They also get to see what their finished car will look like.
0:31:37 > 0:31:39That's what we build.
0:31:39 > 0:31:41We're building the Caterham kit cars.
0:31:41 > 0:31:44It's absolutely fantastic. It gives them something to aim for,
0:31:44 > 0:31:46it gives them a different direction.
0:31:46 > 0:31:48You see what the other side is,
0:31:48 > 0:31:50and it's worked absolute wonders for the kids.
0:31:50 > 0:31:52- Are they OK? - Nah, it's totally rubbish!
0:31:54 > 0:31:58Seeing the cars built isn't the only surprise in store for the group.
0:31:58 > 0:32:01Dave has organised a chance for them to experience the car on the track.
0:32:01 > 0:32:03There's actually a surprise for you.
0:32:08 > 0:32:10The whole crew gets to sample the potential
0:32:10 > 0:32:11of the car they're building.
0:32:24 > 0:32:27- Enjoy that?- That was brilliant, that.
0:32:27 > 0:32:28- Good?- Yeah!
0:32:28 > 0:32:31Wow, it was well windy, that!
0:32:31 > 0:32:32Oh, brilliant. It was good.
0:32:32 > 0:32:35It's good to get in with someone that can drive that good, as well.
0:32:35 > 0:32:38Dave's all right, but...that was a bit better.
0:32:38 > 0:32:40I want another go!
0:32:40 > 0:32:42Shall we see if I can get in it?
0:32:42 > 0:32:44Loads of room.
0:32:47 > 0:32:50Even Dave gets his reward for the work he's put in.
0:33:01 > 0:33:03Fantastic.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06This, today, has been absolutely magnificent for them.
0:33:06 > 0:33:07You get big smiles on their faces,
0:33:07 > 0:33:09it's been brilliant for them, absolutely.
0:33:09 > 0:33:11Absolutely fantastic.
0:33:11 > 0:33:15Inspired by their day out, the team head back to base
0:33:15 > 0:33:18ready to put the finishing touches to their own kit car.
0:33:26 > 0:33:28Back on the streets,
0:33:28 > 0:33:31another council initiative designed to inspire progress
0:33:31 > 0:33:33is moving into position.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36The arrival of Sam's sweet shop is a big moment for him,
0:33:36 > 0:33:40his proud dad and the future of this high street.
0:33:40 > 0:33:43Tell you what, mate - the centre of attention, today.
0:33:43 > 0:33:44Everybody wants to know what's happening.
0:33:44 > 0:33:46Big news for Denton, today.
0:33:46 > 0:33:47That's it.
0:33:47 > 0:33:51Summat exciting happens, and you're behind it all.
0:33:55 > 0:33:58This is the first step of an entrepreneurial millionaire,
0:33:58 > 0:33:59hopefully.
0:34:08 > 0:34:10It's starting to...
0:34:10 > 0:34:12It's starting to come together.
0:34:14 > 0:34:16Get this in line now and we're sorted.
0:34:17 > 0:34:19What are you like at the front?
0:34:19 > 0:34:20Yeah.
0:34:29 > 0:34:30Four weeks later,
0:34:30 > 0:34:31with shelves stocked,
0:34:31 > 0:34:34the pop up shop is finally open for business.
0:34:34 > 0:34:35Cherry.
0:34:37 > 0:34:40Got some lollies down there. Different coloured lollies.
0:34:46 > 0:34:50We tried really hard to create that buzz, and the rumours going,
0:34:50 > 0:34:53and Chinese whispers back and forth, so people come in and say,
0:34:53 > 0:34:54"Oh, no way, is it a sweet shop?
0:34:54 > 0:34:57"We thought it was going to be another takeaway."
0:34:57 > 0:35:00The kids had come out of school and they just flooded in.
0:35:01 > 0:35:04Everyone's just buzzing about it at the minute,
0:35:04 > 0:35:06and it just seems to be taking off really well,
0:35:06 > 0:35:09and everyone in the local community's been supporting it
0:35:09 > 0:35:11and coming in and telling all their friends,
0:35:11 > 0:35:13so it's been really, really good.
0:35:13 > 0:35:18Time for Council Officer Alison Lloyd-Walsh to check Sam's progress.
0:35:19 > 0:35:21Shop! Hello, how are you?
0:35:21 > 0:35:23- Wow, it looks really good. - It's getting there now, isn't it?
0:35:23 > 0:35:26- Yeah, how's it going? - It's brilliant, really good.
0:35:26 > 0:35:29So, is it the kids who are the main source of your income?
0:35:29 > 0:35:30Surprisingly not.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32We've had so many adults come in
0:35:32 > 0:35:34saying, "Oh, no, we've not seen all this for ages!"
0:35:34 > 0:35:37So we've had the kids coming in, the adults coming in,
0:35:37 > 0:35:40the grandparents coming in - so it's just been amazing.
0:35:40 > 0:35:43But Sam's next customer is his most important.
0:35:43 > 0:35:47Alison helped persuade local businessman Bill Jennings
0:35:47 > 0:35:51to help Sam build his shop and let him trade, rent free, for a year.
0:35:51 > 0:35:54So, Bill, what do you think of Sam's sweet emporium?
0:35:54 > 0:35:55It's fantastic.
0:35:55 > 0:35:58I've not seen it finished yet - I've seen it being built,
0:35:58 > 0:35:59we've been behind the scenes doing it -
0:35:59 > 0:36:01I've not been in and bought any sweets yet.
0:36:01 > 0:36:02That's why I'm here today.
0:36:02 > 0:36:04What's really good for us -
0:36:04 > 0:36:07it's actually slap bang in the middle of Denton town centre.
0:36:07 > 0:36:09Oh, yeah. It's a prime, prime site.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11This site - Subway were chasing me for it,
0:36:11 > 0:36:14and I think it was Domino's pizza chasing me for it,
0:36:14 > 0:36:17because it's a prime corner leading to Morrison's.
0:36:17 > 0:36:19- High footfall.- Yeah.
0:36:19 > 0:36:20- Sam's got it instead.- Yeah!
0:36:20 > 0:36:22- Go for it, Sam!- For sweets.
0:36:23 > 0:36:26Everyone's gotta try one of these at the same time.
0:36:26 > 0:36:27Right, thank you.
0:36:27 > 0:36:31Bill's generosity is great news for Sam and the high street.
0:36:31 > 0:36:33As a thank you, Sam dishes out the sweets.
0:36:34 > 0:36:37Ooh...
0:36:37 > 0:36:39Everything... Everything we've done for you,
0:36:39 > 0:36:41- and you pay us back Like this? - Thanks for that.
0:36:41 > 0:36:45But the experience shouldn't leave a sour taste in Alison's mouth.
0:36:45 > 0:36:48It's the start of a really successful story, this.
0:36:48 > 0:36:51And what it will do is hopefully bring brand-new business into Denton,
0:36:51 > 0:36:52carry on this tradition.
0:36:52 > 0:36:54And when Sam's got his sweet empire,
0:36:54 > 0:36:57I'm sure he'll want to then help new businesses
0:36:57 > 0:36:58in the way that Bill's helped him.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02The heroic work of this council officer
0:37:02 > 0:37:06has brought businesses together and helped the local economy flourish.
0:37:18 > 0:37:21Across the Borough, council engineer Dave Allott
0:37:21 > 0:37:23and the teenagers he's helping
0:37:23 > 0:37:27are coming to the end of their six month mechanical labour of love.
0:37:30 > 0:37:32That's what we build.
0:37:32 > 0:37:34We're building the Caterham kit cars.
0:37:34 > 0:37:36After an inspiring day on the race track,
0:37:36 > 0:37:40Dave wants to be sure that as the project nears its end,
0:37:40 > 0:37:43the crew have remembered what they've learnt.
0:37:43 > 0:37:45- Rear differential. - Rear differential...
0:37:45 > 0:37:47What's the thing we're here to put on?
0:37:47 > 0:37:48That's it.
0:37:48 > 0:37:50You do sort of get attached to them,
0:37:50 > 0:37:52because you see them week in, week out,
0:37:52 > 0:37:54and they do confide in you in some things.
0:37:54 > 0:37:56You do know what a lot of them have been through -
0:37:56 > 0:37:58and for some of them,
0:37:58 > 0:38:01this is like their biggest achievements they've ever done.
0:38:01 > 0:38:03If I didn't feel for it then I wouldn't do it.
0:38:06 > 0:38:08Fiona Walker also works for the council
0:38:08 > 0:38:11and shares Dave's dedication to answering a call
0:38:11 > 0:38:13above and beyond her normal duties.
0:38:13 > 0:38:16This is a fantastic part.
0:38:16 > 0:38:20It's the conclusion of - oh, 30 weeks' worth of work.
0:38:20 > 0:38:24When it comes down off the stands it's just extraordinary.
0:38:24 > 0:38:25And they can look at they can look at it now
0:38:25 > 0:38:27and say, "Yeah, I put that on,"
0:38:27 > 0:38:29and, "That engine runs because I did this."
0:38:29 > 0:38:33It's just absolutely amazing.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36After six months' work, it's the moment of truth.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38It's the biggest day, really. It's the biggest day.
0:38:38 > 0:38:41It's actually getting the car onto the ground for the first time,
0:38:41 > 0:38:44and the kit's all virtually complete now, it's just the final checks.
0:38:44 > 0:38:49So, yeah, just get it down on the ground, see if it starts,
0:38:49 > 0:38:51and we drive it out.
0:38:51 > 0:38:53Fingers crossed. Are we ready?
0:38:53 > 0:38:54ENGINE STARTS
0:38:54 > 0:38:56Woo-hoo!
0:38:56 > 0:38:59- First time! - First time, up and running.
0:39:00 > 0:39:03Thanks for that. Oh, yeah.
0:39:06 > 0:39:07Well done.
0:39:07 > 0:39:09You've done this.
0:39:09 > 0:39:12This is an incredible achievement for the teenagers,
0:39:12 > 0:39:16and finally the kit car is ready to hit the road.
0:39:16 > 0:39:17The kids have built it.
0:39:17 > 0:39:21In fact, to watch them watch it drive out the doors, it's superb.
0:39:24 > 0:39:27None of this could have been achieved without the heroic efforts
0:39:27 > 0:39:30of Dave, and his dedication to those who needed his help.
0:39:41 > 0:39:45Council workers like Dave and head of bereavement services Mike Gurney
0:39:45 > 0:39:48are constantly striving to make our communities grow
0:39:48 > 0:39:51and support us residents throughout our lives.
0:39:51 > 0:39:53But when they're cut tragically short,
0:39:53 > 0:39:55officers like Mike respond
0:39:55 > 0:39:57to give grieving families the right time and space
0:39:57 > 0:39:59to reflect on their loss.
0:39:59 > 0:40:02This area, here, is what we call our Baby Garden.
0:40:02 > 0:40:06This has purely been separated, and these graves are individual graves.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12Years ago, babies used to be all buried in one grave.
0:40:12 > 0:40:16And one of the first things I did was create this Baby Garden, if you like.
0:40:16 > 0:40:17Because I thought it was important
0:40:17 > 0:40:20that families had their own individual graves.
0:40:20 > 0:40:23We're just trying to improve all the time on things for families,
0:40:23 > 0:40:26cos it must be horrendous having to come here and visit.
0:40:29 > 0:40:32Every month, Mike and staff at the crematorium,
0:40:32 > 0:40:36with permission from bereaved parents, hold a special service
0:40:36 > 0:40:39to pay respect to aborted or miscarried babies.
0:40:39 > 0:40:42In the past, hospitals were responsible for them,
0:40:42 > 0:40:46but Mike has decided that he and his team will take the time
0:40:46 > 0:40:48to give them a proper service, free of charge,
0:40:48 > 0:40:50before they're cremated.
0:40:50 > 0:40:51It's quite a sad sight
0:40:51 > 0:40:55to see so many babies together in the chapel, you know?
0:40:55 > 0:40:56I mean, there's 22 today.
0:40:56 > 0:40:59Last month there was 56.
0:40:59 > 0:41:01But we can't change that, can we?
0:41:01 > 0:41:04You know, we've got to do things in the right way.
0:41:04 > 0:41:07As the loss is often a result of a tragic event,
0:41:07 > 0:41:09some parents choose not to attend.
0:41:10 > 0:41:13Whilst there's nobody here today at the service,
0:41:13 > 0:41:16staff pay their respects.
0:41:16 > 0:41:19There is a memorial service held once a year in one of the local churches
0:41:19 > 0:41:23where parents can go and have a service to remember their lost one.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26So that's something we support with the local churches as well.
0:41:36 > 0:41:38It's not nice, but that's what me job is,
0:41:38 > 0:41:40and that's what we're here to do.
0:41:40 > 0:41:42To do it right and to do it respectfully.
0:41:42 > 0:41:44You know, we always spend a few minutes in there
0:41:44 > 0:41:48just to pay our respects to a life that could have been, I suppose,
0:41:48 > 0:41:50and unfortunately we've got a busy day ahead now,
0:41:50 > 0:41:54and you have to push these things to the back of your head
0:41:54 > 0:41:55and get on with it.
0:41:55 > 0:41:59Unsung sensitive and respectful roles like this,
0:41:59 > 0:42:03carried out behind the scenes by caring council officers like Mike,
0:42:03 > 0:42:05demonstrate the pride and dedication they have
0:42:05 > 0:42:09to the communities they serve, even at the most difficult times.
0:42:15 > 0:42:17It's been a challenging but successful shift
0:42:17 > 0:42:20for these dedicated local council officers
0:42:20 > 0:42:23and their heroic colleagues across the country.
0:42:23 > 0:42:25They've laid down the law
0:42:25 > 0:42:28to a takeaway with a poor hygiene record...
0:42:28 > 0:42:30I'm just going to have to serve some approval notices.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33You need to do more cleaning and disinfection.
0:42:33 > 0:42:37- Mm-hm.- And...something has to be done with this.
0:42:37 > 0:42:40..helped a young entrepreneur put a roof over his head...
0:42:40 > 0:42:42It just seems to be taking off really well,
0:42:42 > 0:42:45and everyone in the local community's been telling all their friends,
0:42:45 > 0:42:46so it's been really, really good.
0:42:46 > 0:42:49..and helped troubled local teenagers build new dreams.
0:42:49 > 0:42:51ENGINE STARTS
0:42:51 > 0:42:52Woo-hoo!
0:42:52 > 0:42:55- First time! - First time, up and running.
0:42:55 > 0:42:57But most importantly they've worked tirelessly
0:42:57 > 0:42:59to help their residents when they...
0:42:59 > 0:43:01- PHONE RINGS - ..called the Council.
0:43:01 > 0:43:03What we've tried very hard to do in the council
0:43:03 > 0:43:05is make sure we give our residents value for money.
0:43:05 > 0:43:07We're far more inclusive now,
0:43:07 > 0:43:09and it's far more, "Us",
0:43:09 > 0:43:12rather than, "The council and everybody else".