Environmental Health

Environmental Health has its origins in the 1800s, when bad housing, poor water supplies, inadequate drainage and contaminated food caused disease and death. Environmental Health Officers (formerly Sanitary Inspectors and Public Health Inspectors) have been looking after the public’s health since 1848. The work today reflects both the problems brought about by modern lifestyles, and some of the older problems which still face many members of the community.

Wherever they work, Environmental Health Officers have a common goal – to protect the public from environmental health risks. To achieve this goal, EHOs are always ready to give advice to individuals, community groups, and businesses.  Health promotion and health education are used as vital tools to promote environmental health issues and bring about improvements, but Environmental Health Officers do act primarily as law enforcers and may serve notices and/or recommend to the Council that legal proceedings be instituted to ensure the provision of a safe environment.

Fermanagh District Council has adopted the Enforcement Concordat  which commits the Council to good enforcement policies and procedures and demonstrates what businesses and others can expect from enforcement Officers.

Fermanagh District Council has adopted the LACORS Home Authority Principle for the services provided by the Environmental Health Department.  This guidance seeks to prevent duplication of enforcement effort  by offering advice to companies through a single local authority, i.e. where the Head Office of a company is located is termed the ‘Home Authority’.  Other Councils which deal with the company are encouraged to liase with the Home Authority on matters involving the company.

The Environmental Health Department of Fermanagh District Council can be contacted at:

Townhall
2 Townhall Street
Enniskillen
Co. Fermanagh
BT74 7BA

Tel: (028) 6632 5050 or (028) 6632 1805
Fax: (028) 6632 9081
E-mail: envhealth@fermanagh.gov.uk

Alternatively you may use our online enquiry form to contact the Environmental Health Department by clicking here and selecting Environmental Health as the Destination Department.

Western Group Environmental Health Service

Fermanagh District Council is part of the Western Group Environmental Health Service.  This Group also services Derry City Council, Limavady Borough Council, Strabane District Council and Omagh District Council.

Group Environmental Health Services were introduced at Local Government Re-organisation in 1973 and while some modifications with regard to employment of staff were implemented in 1994, Group functions have remained very similar.  The role of Group services is largely:

(1)  Co-ordination and monitoring of Environmental Health services.
(2)  Advising Councils on the preparation of District Environmental Health Plans.
(3)  Support for District Councils in specialised areas of work, e.g. Industrial Pollution Control,  Environmental Impact Assessment Consultations, Emergency Planning and Food Control in EC  controlled premises.

Fermanagh District Council's contribution to Group costs (based on population and penny product) is 22.55% of total Group cost.

Fermanagh District Council is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.  If you find a problem with any internet link please notify the IT Department by email at it@fermanagh.gov.uk or contact the IT Department at the Townhall on 028 6632 5050