The extensive work of NKDC’s Public Protection team

Whether it's responding to reports of food poisoning, supporting businesses to meet food safety standards, or helping to enhance private sector housing, North Kesteven District Council's Public Protection team is working behind the scenes to keep communities safe and thriving.

 Food hygiene inspections may be the most visible, or best known, part of their work, but the team’s responsibilities extend far beyond restaurant kitchens and takeaway counters.

Covering a wide range of regulatory and enforcement functions, Public Protection officers are at the heart of protecting public health, safety and wellbeing across the district. At a recent Executive Board meeting this summer, the Council’s Food and Health & Safety Law Enforcement Plan 2026 to 2028 was unanimously approved, further highlighting the extensive work this team does every year.

 The work includes, but is not limited to, the following:

·       Food hygiene inspections

·       Food/environmental sampling and advice to businesses

·       Caravan site licensing inspections

·       Animal licensing inspections, including dog and cat boarding establishments

·       Skin piercing licensing including tattooing and ear piercing

·       Private water supply testing

·       Private sector housing enforcement

·       Health and safety enforcement and investigation

In the 12 months up to September 15, 2026, the team inspected 17 caravan sites and have a total of 23 licenced sites. The difference in numbers is due to inspections being carried out every 12 months from when licenced.

In terms of private sector housing enforcement, the council has dealt with 191 enquiries during the same time period.

The council has 81 active animal licences and carried out 69 site visits over the last 12 months. It also has 138 active skin piercing licences.

Another element of the team’s work is to carry out private water sampling, with 11 tests undertaken during this time.

Within the team’s extensive work are food hygiene inspections and in the year to 15 September 2026, authorised officers visited 239 food premises. The average rating (out of five) in North Kesteven is 4.9, as of 15 September 2026. 100% of scheduled food safety inspections were fulfilled within the last financial year.

As one of the council's busiest teams, no two days are ever the same, with officers dealing with everything from licensing and private water sampling to health and safety enforcement, and public health matters.

In addition, the team also liaises with event organisers in relation to food safety and health and safety to ensure things run as smoothly as possible.

Elements of the work of the Public Protection team also crosses over with other departments at the Council, such as Licensing, including keeping pubs safe and compliant, highlighting just how extensive their responsibilities are.

Councillor Mark Smith, whose Executive Board oversight includes environment and public protection, said: “I am extremely proud of our small, but incredibly busy, Public Protection team, who go above and beyond daily – far more than most people realise.

“The sheer amount of work they carry out, week by week, is truly inspiring and the team really do a fantastic job protecting you, the public.

“There are many successes, but for me achieving 100% in food safety inspections once again this year, as they have numerous previous years, stands out.”