Updated CIEH 'Manifesto' for future of Environmental Health launched - urges Govt to make use of selective licensing easier for councils

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health says its Manifesto is aimed at raising the profile of the Environmental Health profession "among policymakers" ahead of the next general election.
The organisation has written to members of both Houses of Parliament including members of the Cabinet as well as the Shadow Cabinet "in a bid to ensure any incoming government acknowledges the vital role the CIEH's membership community plays in protecting public health" including in the housing sector. It goes on to say "it is crucial that policymakers are aware of the vital role environmental health plays in maintaining standards in pubic health protection."
Amongst a range of policy objectives that CIEH put forward are "Making it easier for local authorities in England to use selective licensing schemes to improve housing conditions" and "Asking the Government to work with CIEH to improve the recruitment and retention of Environmental Health professionals."
On selective licensing, the Manifesto says that local authorities have "limited knowledge of [PRS] landlords and the properties in their local areas" and hopes that new measures (under the proposed fairer renting legislation currently going through Parliamentary process) for a national property portal "are not seen as a replacement for selective licensing schemes" but are used in support of selective licensing schemes and adds "Government must make it easier for councils to use selective licensing schemes to improve housing conditions and, in particular .... through licence conditions.
Louise Hosking, Executive Director of Environmental Health at CIEH said of the Manifesto "While we all know the vital role our members play in providing public health protection, it is key that those in power at the heart of government know this too."
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