Chartered Institute of Environmental Health

Chartered Institute of Environmental Health The professional voice of EH. Campaigning for healthier and safer environments everywhere.

We're a professional, awarding and campaigning organisation at the forefront of environmental and public health and safety.

🔥 Nuisance bonfires can have serious consequences for neighbours and communities.A man and woman have been ordered to pa...
08/10/2026

🔥 Nuisance bonfires can have serious consequences for neighbours and communities.

A man and woman have been ordered to pay more than £1,600 after breaching an abatement notice issued in response to repeated nuisance bonfires at a property in Clacton.

Despite formal action from Tendring District Council, the pair continued to burn bonfires, leading to the pair being prosecuted.

The man pleaded guilty to breaching the notice at Colchester Magistrates’ Court earlier this month, while the woman was found guilty in her absence after magistrates agreed proceedings could continue without her.

She was fined £660, with £320 in costs and a £264 victim surcharge, taking the total amount to £1,244. The man must pay £448 in total, comprising a £100 fine, £320 in costs and a £28 victim surcharge.

Council Leader Mark Stephenson, Tendring District Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for Finance and Governance, said: “No one should have to put up with persistent smoke and fumes stopping them from enjoying their own home or garden.

“We always hope concerns can be resolved through consideration for neighbours, but when the problem continues and a formal notice is ignored, we will not hesitate to take action.

“This case should serve as a clear warning that breaching an abatement notice can lead to prosecution and a significant financial penalty.”

The case highlights the important role environmental health teams play in protecting residents from statutory nuisances that can impact health, wellbeing and quality of life.

Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, councils can issue abatement notices when smoke creates a statutory nuisance. Ignoring those notices can result in prosecution and significant financial penalties.

As we mark Public Health Workforce Week, it's an important reminder that prevention depends on having the right people, ...
08/10/2026

As we mark Public Health Workforce Week, it's an important reminder that prevention depends on having the right people, skills and expertise in place.

Who delivers prevention in practice?

From tackling health inequalities and improving housing conditions to helping businesses operate safely, efficiently and sustainably, environmental health professionals play a vital role in protecting public health and supporting economic growth.

In the latest CIEH blog, Joanna Seymour, CIEH Head of Environmental Health Workforce Programme, reflects on discussions from last week’s CIEH workforce session which brought together a range of environmental health and public health professionals to make the case for recognising environmental health’s contribution to better health and demonstrating its value to employers across a range of sectors.

📖 Read the blog: https://www.cieh.org/news/blog/2026/the-workforce-behind-prevention-connecting-environmental-health-healthier-communities-and-business-growth/

📢 The October issue of Environmental Health News is out now!From flooding and extreme weather to the emergence of mosqui...
06/10/2026

📢 The October issue of Environmental Health News is out now!

From flooding and extreme weather to the emergence of mosquito-borne diseases, environmental health professionals are increasingly on the frontline of climate change. The latest edition explores the challenges ahead and how the profession can prepare for them.

Inside this issue you'll also find:

✅ The environmental health challenge of mobile tattooing and whether regulation is keeping pace
✅ New research highlighting the hidden health inequalities linked to noise exposure
✅ Award-winning research into e-bike safety
✅ Better approaches to contaminated land management

Plus, a legal briefing on selective licensing in HMOs, recent prosecutions from across the sector, and an environmental health career story that began with a conversation about pigeon poo.

📖 Members can log in to MyCIEH to read the full October edition.

📚 Helping shape the next generation of environmental health professionals.Students on the Environmental Health Practitio...
02/10/2026

📚 Helping shape the next generation of environmental health professionals.

Students on the Environmental Health Practitioner (EHP) Pathway have been taking part in two days of hands-on, interactive training in Cardiff, designed to support their progress towards completing their professional portfolios.

The sessions were led by Sam Bacon, a practising Chartered EHP with more than 15 years' experience. Sam currently manages Food Safety and Occupational Health and Safety functions within local government, is a CIEH mentor, and serves on our Food Advisory Group.

🔍 Students worked through three realistic, scenario-based exercises covering:

• Public health/health protection – investigating an infectious disease outbreak
• Health and safety – responding to a workplace accident
• Food safety – handling and assessing a food complaint

Drawing on real cases from Sam's career, the exercises gave students valuable insight into the challenges, decision-making and responsibilities involved in environmental health practice.

📅 Further sessions for students on the EHP Pathway will be running later this year and in 2027. For more information, contact [email protected]

A big thank you to Public Health Wales for hosting the sessions and for their hospitality.

🚨 Just days left to apply for a CIEH governance role!Are you passionate about environmental health and looking for a way...
01/10/2026

🚨 Just days left to apply for a CIEH governance role!

Are you passionate about environmental health and looking for a way to make a real difference? We're seeking enthusiastic individuals, both CIEH members and non-members, to join our governance committees and help shape the future of the profession.

This is a fantastic opportunity to share your expertise, influence key decisions, and work alongside a dedicated team committed to creating safer, cleaner and healthier environments for everyone.

We're particularly keen to hear from people whose experiences and perspectives reflect the diversity of the profession and the communities we serve.

Current vacancies include:

🔹 Environmental Health Services Committee (EHSC)
Help shape CIEH's work on membership, professional standards, qualifications and policy.
1 position available (CIEH members only).

🔹 Appointments and Remuneration Committee (ARC)
Support effective leadership by helping ensure CIEH has the right people and skills at the helm.
1 position available (CIEH members only).

🔹 Risk and Audit Committee (RAC)
Strengthen CIEH's approach to risk management, governance and financial oversight.
2 positions available (open to members and non-members).

💬 Matt Twaite, Chair of CIEH's Risk and Audit Committee, said: "Joining the committee gave me the opportunity to share my professional experience while gaining valuable insight into how risk is managed across the charity sector. It has also strengthened my confidence working within committee structures and enhanced the value I bring back to my own organisation."

📅 Application deadline: 5 October 2026

👉 Find out more and apply: www.cieh.org/governanceroles

Please help us spread the word by sharing this opportunity with your networks.

📻 CIEH was featured on BBC Radio Norfolk this morning as the station highlighted our recently published Sound Thinking r...
30/09/2026

📻 CIEH was featured on BBC Radio Norfolk this morning as the station highlighted our recently published Sound Thinking report, exploring the public health impacts of noise across England and Wales.

The report led the station’s morning news bulletins, with CIEH Noise Panel member Somayya Yaqub joining the breakfast show to discuss the findings and the real impact excessive noise has on communities.

Speaking with presenter Chris Goreham, Somayya outlined CIEH's calls for:

✅ More consistent national coding of noise complaints
✅ Easier reporting and tracking of complaints
✅ Greater recognition of noise as a public health issue

🎧 Listen to the interview (from 1:08:25): https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0031s6r

📖 Read the Sound Thinking report: https://www.cieh.org/policy/campaigns/noise-survey-and-sound-thinking-report/

A huge thank you to Somayya for representing CIEH so brilliantly and helping raise awareness of this important public health issue.

Don't miss out - there's still time to save 20% on all CIEH training.Whether you’re refreshing your own knowledge or tra...
30/09/2026

Don't miss out - there's still time to save 20% on all CIEH training.

Whether you’re refreshing your own knowledge or training your team, our eLearning makes it easy to learn at a time and pace that works for you.

From Food Safety and Health & Safety to Workplace Safety, First Aid and more, there’s a course to support your training needs.

Don’t miss out – offer ends Friday 2 October

👉 Explore our eLearning courses today: https://www.cieh.org/training-and-courses/

🏠 More than 20 people, including three children and a 10-month-old baby, were found living in a severely overcrowded, co...
29/09/2026

🏠 More than 20 people, including three children and a 10-month-old baby, were found living in a severely overcrowded, cockroach-infested property in Wembley.

Following concerns raised by tenants, Brent Council officers uncovered a catalogue of serious hazards at the house in Bassingham Road, including fire safety breaches, inadequate kitchen facilities, broken stoves, missing doors and a cockroach infestation.

The property was housing more than twice the number of people permitted under its licence.

The court found that the failings amounted to Category 1 harm, the highest level of housing hazard reflecting the seriousness of the risks faced by those living there, particularly around fire safety.

Meet Valand, the property manager and licence holder, was convicted of seven offences and fined £40,000, with a further £2,000 victim surcharge and £3,183.85 in prosecution costs.

Vispap Sarkari, who managed the property and rent collections, was also convicted. A detailed investigation uncovered multiple aliases and associates linked to him, including Mr Sanjay Patel who was recently given a five-year banning order, along with evidence of illegal activity.

The court heard that Mr Sarkari failed to meet basic safety and maintenance standards, including problems with fire alarms, fire safety equipment, escape routes, a damaged porch door and cracked bathroom fixtures.

As he was considered a repeat offender with previous housing offences, he was fined £50,000, with a further £2,000 victim surcharge and £3,183.85 in prosecution costs.

Councillor Robert Johnson, Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness & Renters, said: “These convictions should serve as a warning to any landlord or property manager in Brent who chooses to ignore their responsibilities and put profit before people.

"Residents deserve safe, secure housing and are encouraged to report poor conditions or unlawful practices so we can protect tenants and hold landlords to account. Property licencing is a key tool in helping the council raise housing standards, improve living conditions and tackle rogue landlords.”

Following the council’s intervention, the owner of the property had made significant improvements to the property. The owner is continuing to work with the council to ensure the property meets the conditions of its HMO licence and remains compliant with licence requirements.

🍰☕ Last Friday, colleagues at CIEH joined thousands of people across the UK by hosting a Macmillan Coffee Morning at our...
29/09/2026

🍰☕ Last Friday, colleagues at CIEH joined thousands of people across the UK by hosting a Macmillan Coffee Morning at our London offices at 15Hatfields, alongside our all-staff meeting.

The event formed part of the nationwide Macmillan Coffee Morning campaign held on 25 September.

From delicious homemade cakes and bakes to a friendly Great British Bake Off-style competition, there was no shortage of tasty treats on offer. Congratulations to our star baker Hannah, who took home a special Macmillan Coffee Morning apron after colleagues cast their votes!

Most importantly, the event has already raised more than £150 so far for Macmillan Cancer Support. A huge thank you to everyone who baked, donated and got involved. It was wonderful to come together over a cake and a cuppa in support of such an important cause. 💚

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