Air quality
Air Quality Forum
Establishment of the Forum
1. It is intended that the Forum will provide the mechanism by which stakeholders can put views to Government on the review of the National Air Quality Strategy and provide feedback on progress on local air quality management. The Forum is not intended to be a policy or decision making body but a forum for the exchange of ideas and information. A copy of the terms of reference is attached for ease of reference.
2. There is a requirement under Section 80 of the Environment Act 1995 that there is consultation with relevant outside bodies during the preparation of the proposals for modifying the National Air Quality Strategy - in other words during the review process itself. The Act also requires that these proposals are then subject to full public consultation before final decision and adoption. We intend to discharge this consultation requirement by the establishment of the Air Quality Forum and by consulting widely on the proposals to amend the Strategy at the end of the year.
3. However, we do not intend to disband the Forum at the end of the review of the Strategy. As well as assisting with the review of the Strategy it is intended that it will provide alternative liaison arrangements with local authorities following the disbanding of the Local Air Quality Management Working Group.
4. On 12 February, Michael Meacher, Minister of State for the Environment, announced the establishment of the Air Quality Forum. On the same day a wide range of relevant bodies were consulted on the terms of reference and membership of the Forum (see below).
5. Forum papers will also be circulated to a wider list of organisations with an interest in making an input to the work of the Forum.
Response to the Consultation
6. Over 170 organisations were consulted and over 50 have responded. The establishment of the Forum has generally been welcomed. There were some suggestions for changing the proposed terms of reference to:
a) - prioritise the action points;
b) - include a statement that they will lead to action to improve air quality standards; and
c) - include advising on proposals for the allocation of resources to support the implementation of the Strategy.
7. However, we have decided not to reflect these views in the terms of reference. This is because we do not believe that the action points need to be prioritised and the suggestions at b) and c) are not appropriate as the Forum will not be an advisory or a policy making body. Despite this, views expressed by Forum members on these issues will, of course, be given careful attention.
8. A number of organisations from the wider list asked to be included in the Forum membership. We have considered each of these requests but have decided for practical reasons that we are not able to include them all. We have had to restrict membership to those organisations with a close interest in the work or whose broad interests are not covered by other representative organisations. A revised list of Forum members and those on the wider list will be tabled at the meeting.
9. All organisations included on the wider list have been invited to make an input to the work of the Forum. They can ask Forum members to put their views orally and we would also welcome written contributions from them on issues of relevance to them.
Operation of the Forum
10. To keep the operation of the Forum manageable, Ministers have decided that membership should include around 30 outside organisations. Membership currently stands at 33 organisations excluding Government Departments.
11. The DETR will chair the Forum and provide the secretariat. It is suggested that the Forum meets twice a year, but possibly three times during the review of the Strategy. We suggest arranging further meetings of the Forum for June/July and October/ November this year. Meetings of the Forum will be held at DETR's offices in London.
12. The DETR will provide or arrange for short papers for the meetings on agenda items, along with interim reports on the different work streams making up the review of the Strategy. Any issues that need to be drawn to the attention of Forum members in between meetings of the Forum will be dealt with through correspondence. We will welcome suggestions on relevant issues for agenda items from Forum members but ask that members submit brief papers ahead of the meetings on issues they wish to raise.
Conclusion
13. Members views are invited on the operation of the Forum and the timing and number of meetings.
AEQ Division
DETR
March 1998
Air Quality Forum - terms of reference
The terms of reference of the Air Quality Forum are:
"To provide a mechanism by which stakeholders can put views to Government on the review of the National Air Quality Strategy and the implementation of local air quality management. This will involve members in:
- exchanging ideas and information;
- offering an independent overview of the implementation of the Strategy and progress towards achieving its objectives;
- discussing additional policy measures or voluntary action necessary to achieve those objectives; and
- providing feedback on progress on local air quality management."
Page published 23 August
2001;
Page last modified
18 October, 2006