Terms of reference for the Working Group on Scoring/Banding and Safeguards

To provide recommendations to the Steering Group on the implementation and operation of the national 'scores on the doors' scheme for England, Wales and Northern Ireland and, where appropriate, the two-tier scheme that will continue in Scotland, with specific reference to:

• developing the method for deriving the numerical score from Annex 5 of the Food Law Code of Practice (using scores for hygiene, structure and confidence in management) with an emphasis on ensuring consistency
• 'mapping' of the numerical score to the six tiers to be used to present the information to consumers, with an emphasis on avoiding 'gold-plating'
• the conditions/circumstance where re-inspections/re-visits for the purposes of re-scoring the business for 'score on the doors' (but not for revising the frequency of planned inspections or other interventions) where action has been taken to rectify identified non-compliances may be requested by businesses
• local authorities being able to charge for such re-inspections/re-visits for rescoring the business for 'score on the doors' as referred to above in order to recover costs
• the operation of local authorities’ complaints procedures for dealing with appeals for those that perceive an injustice in the way the scheme is being administered