WILTSHIRE LOCAL AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT SUB-GROUP
in collaboration with the Air Quality Management Resource Centre, UWE, Bristol.

Local Air Quality Management – Stage One Review and Assessment
Review of the Consultation Procedure

Introduction
  Statutory requirements
  The consultation process
  Appendices:
                Appendix 1.  The Consultation Strategy
                Appendix 2.  The Initial letter sent to all 320 potential consultees
                Appendix 3.  Second Letter – sent to all those who didn’t respond to the first letter.
                Appendix 4.  Second Letter – sent to all those who did respond to the initial consultation.
                Appendix 5.  The List of Consultees.
                Appendix 6.  The Public Notice.

 INTRODUCTION

• This document serves as a review of the procedure of consultation that has been adopted by the Kennet District Council with regard to the Review and Assessment of Local Air Quality.

• The Review and Assessment procedure comprises of three stages. Undertaking a complete consultation at each stage is recognised as critical to the aims and objectives of the process.

• It should be noted that no formal guidance has been issued for the consultation procedure. Nevertheless, the subject has been discussed extensively at the local Air Quality Forum – The Wiltshire Local Air Quality Management Sub-group and a strategy adopted for the whole County.

• This review relates solely to the consultation process associated with stage one of the Review and Assessment procedure.

 STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

The Environment Act 1995 sets out, in schedule 11, paragraph 1, the statutory consultation requirements for Local Air Quality Management, laid out in Part IV of the Act.

Guidance Note LAQM.G1(97), Framework for Review and Assessment of Air Quality provides further clarification on what the consultation should contain, who should be consulted and at what stage this should take place.

At all stages of the Review and Assessment process, Local Authorities are thus obliged to consult :

• The Secretary of State

• The relevant Environment Agency

• The relevant Highways Authority

• All neighbouring Local Authorities

• The relevant County Council

• Other relevant public authorities considered appropriate; and

• Representatives of local business and Industry

It is also recommended that the local community is also fully involved.

 THE CONSULTATION PROCESS

• In recognition of the high standards achieved within the Kennet District Council, both in terms of the authorities No.1 rating in the national survey of councils and also the attainment of the Charter Mark for Environmental Health performance, the consultation process is aimed to be as comprehensive and informative as possible.

• An outline strategy was written at the start of the process in order to set out the scope of the process and to set a timetable for achievement of each level. This is set out in the appendices to the review.

• The first stage of any consultation is the identification of those who are to be contacted. The statutory consultees were consulted via the Wiltshire Group, with a letter being sent to all concerned. A total of three replies were received and information passed on as required.

• A list of consultees was then drawn up for the district itself. The list is contained in the appendices to the report and is intended to be as comprehensive as is realistically possible. It includes all Parish Councils, all schools and a wide selection of other ‘interested parties’. The list is set out in appendix 5.

• A letter was sent to all 315 addresses on this list in order to inform that the process was underway and invite early interest rather than specific comment. The letter outlined the process and also invited people to add to the list drawn up. The initial letter provoked 24 responses and lead to another 5 names being added to the list – see appendix 2.

• The next stage of the process involved writing the actual review and assessment itself. The document was deliberately padded with a lot of background information regarding issues about pollution, historical pollution control and went into detail about each of the 7 polluting species laid out for control in the process.

• Further letters were then sent to all parties to inform that the Review and Assessment was complete and that copies were available for comment – see appendices 3 & 4. The letters differed slightly depending upon whether the recipient had replied to the initial letter. In addition a copy was placed on the internet web site at the University of the West of England, Air Quality Management Resource Centre.

• A total of 30 responses were received and copies sent out accordingly. Responses were from all sections of the community – including schools (4), parish councils (4), concerned individuals (5), Friends of the Earth, County Council Officers, Women’s Institutes (6).

• A display was also held at Devizes Leisure Centre as part of the Youth Extravaganza. A3 maps of the background pollution levels were displayed with copies of an information sheet summarising the findings of the Review and Assessment. 175 youngsters attended and all 100 information sheets laid out were taken.

• A public notice was placed in the Wiltshire Gazette and Herald to announce the availability of the report for public comment. See appendix 6.

• At the end of the consultation period, a total of 12 replies were received with specific comment about the report. A number of changes were made to the final report as a result of the comments received.

  APPENDICES

APPENDIX 1.  The Consultation Strategy
APPENDIX 2.  The Initial letter sent to all 320 potential consultees
APPENDIX 3.  Second Letter – sent to all those who didn’t respond to the first letter.
APPENDIX 4.  Second Letter – sent to all those who did respond to the initial consultation.
APPENDIX 5.  The List of Consultees.
APPENDIX 6.  The Public Notice.

 APPENDIX 1 - Kennet District Council - Consultation Strategy
The Review and Assessment of Air Quality Procedure

• Identification of interested parties (Aug 98)
• Initial letter to all identified interested parties to inform of purpose and scope of procedure. Letter clear that parties should respond if they wish to be involved throughout process
• Responses within specified 28 day period collated. Any specifying no interest removed from list (Sep 98).
• Draft stage one review and assessment prepared (Nov 98).
• Copy of draft to go to all responding consultees. Covering letter to specify a 28 day period for comment (Nov 98).
• Draft review and assessment to go to UWE to go onto website (Nov 98).
• Copies of draft to go to Devizes and Marlborough libraries, Marlborough Information Centre and to reception at Kennet District Council (Nov 98).
• Letter to go to all original interested parties to summarise findings in draft, to inform where the draft can be viewed, including the internet site and to offer the opportunity for involvement (Nov 98).
• Public notice to go in local newspapers. Press release through Kennet District Council press officer (Nov 98).
• Collate all comments ready to release stage one review and assessment for Jan 1 deadline.

 APPENDIX 3 - Second Letter – sent to all those who didn’t respond to the first letter.

RE: ENVIRONMENT ACT 1995

LOCAL AIR QUALITY MANAGAEMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR CONSULTATION

Further to my letter regarding the above, dated 7^th September, I am writing to inform you that the draft copy of the first stage of the review and assessment procedure is now complete and available for public consultation

I would still welcome your involvement and would be pleased to supply a copy of the draft document upon request.

Copies of the document are available at Devizes and Marlborough libraries, at the Marlborough Information Point, at the Kennet District Council reception and also on the internet at the following website address: www.uwe.ac.uk/aqm/centre/index.htm. Follow the on-screen instructions to the Wiltshire local air quality management sub-group home page.

For your information, the process has identified that there may be a risk of areas within the district failing to meet the specified air quality standards for particulates and nitrogen dioxide by the year 2005. This authority will therefore be progressing to stage 2 of the procedure which will include extended monitoring of several pollutant species.

Please note that the completed stage one review and assessment has to be with the Secretary of State for the Environment by the first working day of 1999. I would therefore be grateful I could receive any comments that you may have by the 24 December 1998.

Please feel free to telephone me on the above number if you wish to discuss the content of this letter.

Yours faithfully
 

PETER NOBES
Environmental Protection Technician

 APPENDIX 4 - Second Letter – sent to all those who did respond to the initial consultation

RE: ENVIRONMENT ACT 1995

LOCAL AIR QUALITY MANAGAEMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR CONSULTATION

Further to my letter regarding the above, dated 7 September, I am writing to thank you for taking the time to respond and to inform you of the following:

The draft copy of the first stage of the review and assessment procedure is now complete and available for public consultation. As one of the consultees to the procedure, I am pleased to enclose a copy of the draft document for your attention and comment.

Copies of the document will also be available at Devizes and Marlborough libraries, at the Marlborough Information Point, at the Kennet District Council reception and also on the internet at the following website address: www.uwe.ac.uk/aqm/centre/index.htm. Follow the on-screen instructions to the Wiltshire local air quality management sub-group home page.

Please note that the completed stage one review and assessment has to be with the Secretary of State for the Environment by the first working day of 1999. I would therefore be grateful I could receive any comments that you may have by the 24 December 1998.

Please feel free to telephone me on the above number if you wish to discuss the content of the draft document.

Yours faithfully
 

PETER NOBES
Environmental Protection Technician

 APPENDIX 5 - The List of Consultees.

CONSULTATION LIST

All Parish Councils & Town Councils (71)

Doctors Surgeries
Avon Valley Practice, Fairfield, Upavon, Pewsey, Wilts.
Ludgershall Health Centre, Central Street, Ludgershall.
The Old School House Surgery, Great Bedwyn, Marlborough.
The Surgery, 15 Church Street, Market Lavington, Devizes.
Lansdown Surgery, Waiblingen Way, Devizes.
Southbroom Surgery, The Green, Devizes.
The Surgery, The Sprays, Burbage.
Avon Valley Practice, Queensway, Netheravon.
Littleton Panell Surgery, 78 High Street, Littleton Panell.
St James' Surgery, Gains Lane, Devizes.
The Surgery, High Street, Ramsbury.
Marlborough Surgery, George Lane, Marlborough.
The Surgery, High Street, Pewsey.
Tidworth Surgery, St George's Road, Tidworth.

Community Transport Schemes
Bedwyn Link Scheme, Great Bedwyn, Marlborough.
East Kennet District Community Transport Scheme, Marlborough.
Seend Community Bus, Seend Cleeve.
Chirton, Marden & Patney Community Bus, Patney.
Edington, Erlestoke & Coulston Community Transport Scheme, Trowbridge.
Devizes & District Link, Urchfont, Devizes.
Pewsey & District Link, Pewsey.
Urchfont Community Bus, Urchfont, Devizes.
Devizes PHAB Community Transport Scheme, Trowbridge.
Ramsbury Chiropody Transport, Ramsbury.
Upavon, Rushall & Charlton Link, Upavon, Pewsey.

All Schools (46)

Other Interested Parties
Mid-Wilts Ramblers Group (Devizes)
Wiltshire Health Promotion Service, Chippenham.
Wiltshire Archaeological & Natural History Society, Devizes.
Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, Devizes.
West Lavington, Littleton Panell & Little Cheverell Care.
Travelwise, Wiltshire County Council.
Kennet Access Group, Devizes.
Sarsen Housing Association Ltd., Sarsen Court, Devizes.
Hills Aggregates, Marlborough.
Chairman of Marlborough & District Talking Newspaper, Collingbourne Ducis.
Wiltshire Health Authority, Southgate House, Devizes.
Devizes Library, Devizes.
Devizes Business Advice Centre, Devizes.
Marlborough Information Point, c/o Marlborough Library, Marlborough.
Chief Constable, Wiltshire Police HQ.,
Community Council for Wiltshire, Devizes.
Devizes Twinning Association, Devizes.
Michael Ancram, MP.,
Government Office of the South West, Bristol. BS2 9DJ.
President, Devizes Chamber of Commerce, Devizes.
President, Marlborough & District Chamber of Commerce, Marlborough.
Secretary, Aldbourne Civic Society, Aldbourne.
Health Commission for Wilts & Bath, Southgate House, Pans Lane, Devizes.
Secretary, Pewsey, Chamber of Commerce, Pewsey. SN9 5AF.
Wiltshire Agenda 21, Devizes.
Friends of the Earth, Devizes.
Kennet & Avon Canal Trust, Devizes.
Library/Museum Headquarters, County Hall, Trowbridge.
Devizes, Museum, Devizes.
Secretary – PROBUS, Devizes.
Marlborough College, Marlborough.
Wiltshire Community Foundation, Devizes.
Fire Brigade HQ., Potterne.
Devizes Town Council, Devizes.
Wiltshire Rural Development Agency, Pewsey.
Devizes Tourist Information Centre, Devizes.
Post Office Stores, All Cannings.
Highways Dept., Wilts. County Council, County Hall, Trowbridge. BA14 8JD.
Chief Executive, Wilts. County Council – as above.
Director of Education, Wilts. County Council – as above.
Director of Social Services, Wilts. County Council – as above.
First Bus Co. Ltd., The Bus Station, Manvers Street, Bath.
Director, Environment Agency (Wessex)., Rivers House, Sunrise Business Park, Blandford Forum.

All Taxi Companies (26).

All Women's Institutes (39).

All District Councillors (40).

Local Industry
Cebal Printal, Devizes.
Tamura Hinchley, Devizes.
Stag Service Station, Chilton Foliat.
Richard Stevens Motorcycles, Devizes.
Varivane Industries Ltd., Devizes.
Chris Griffiths Engineering, Collingbourne Ducis.
Pewsey Vale Tractors, Pewsey.
Smallbone & Co.Ltd., Devizes.
Steven's Cars, Pewsey.
Whatley & Co., Pewsey.
Ralph Merrett, Devizes.
Surecast Foundries Ltd., Devizes.
Easterton Vehicle Repairs, Devizes.
Taarup-Kidd Farm Machinery Ltd., Devizes.
Mark Wilkinson Furniture Ltd., Bromham.

 APPENDIX 6 - The Public Notice

Environment Act 1995
Air Quality Management Regulations 1997

Notice of First Stage Review and Assessment of Air Quality in the Kennet District

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT Kennet District Council has performed an initial review and assessment of the quality of the air in the district. This involved the identification of potential sources of the following key pollutants, both within and in the vicinity of the district:-
 

The review has determined whether specified objectives for the above pollutants are likely to be met by the year 2005. The need for further investigation and enhanced monitoring of pollutants has been identified.

An inherent part of the procedure is public consultation. Copies of the Draft First Stage Review and Assessment are available for public comment. Copies are available on request from the address below. Copies are also available in the local library and at the reception desk at Kennet District Council..

Any comments are welcome within 21 days of the date of publication of this notice and should be made to:
 

Peter Nobes
Environmental Health Section

Kennet District Council , Browfort , Devizes
SN10 2AT Tel: 01380 - 724911

COUNCIL CONTACT:

Author: Nicky Woodfield
Copyright © 2002 by Air Quality Management Resource Centre, FAS, University of the West of England, Frenchay Campus, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY. All rights reserved.
Lasted up dated: 15/03/02.