MINUTES OF THE SOUTHERN ENGLAND RADIATION MONITORING GROUP MEETING HELD ON THE 7th SEPTEMBER 2004 at READING

Present

    Ian Croudace, University of Southampton (Chair* & Project Manager))
    Monica Wilsch, Slough Borough Council
    John Leach, Exeter City Council
    Catherine Davis, Reading Borough Council
    Paul Williams, North Cornwall District Council

    Alan Higgins has recently left Portsmouth City Council as the City Chief EHO. The SERMG Steering Committee would like to express their strongest appreciation for the leadership and tireless service that Alan has committed to SERMG since its inception. In the interim Ian Croudace will act as Chairman* until a replacement for Alan is elected. As a mark of his wide national esteem the General Council of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health elected Alan as its President for 2005-2007.

  1. Apologies
    2.

    Paul Hunt, Portsmouth City Council (replacing Alan Higgins)

  2. Minutes of the meeting held on 5 February 2004
    3.

    Agenda Item 3 - Ian is working on article for Environmental Health News. Appreciation of Alan's work to be included.

    Agenda Item 7 - Seminar on hold due to Alan's departure and issues concerning the widening of SERMG membership.

  3. Matters Arising not on the agenda
    4.

    The number of Authorities on the Steering Group has reduced. Consideration to be given to inviting other members to join the Steering Group.

  4. State of new contracts
    5.

    Ian circulated information on the new contracts. It was noted that 25 members paid up last year although 2 were not providing samples. Ian and Alan have met with the Sussex authorities although there have been no new members resulting from the meeting. The coastal Kent authorities have been in contact with Ian.

  5. Future Options for SERMG
    6.

    The need to demonstrate the value and importance of SERMG membership to LAs has been worked on (e.g issues such as terrorism, Civil Contingencies and contaminated land). However, some LAs are reacting to short term pressures and withdrawing. Such action makes it difficult to maintain the current level of service. Various future options were discussed including, reducing the number of samples and the frequency of despatch, a web-based annual report and broadening the membership to most local authorities in Southern England.

    There could be a shift in emphasis to monitoring capability during problem events. There will be consideration given to involving Emergency Planners and lobbying Government Departments for possible funding.

  6. RIMNET 3
    7.

    Implementing Rimnet 3 is apparently still in progress.

  7. Any other business
    8.

    e-mail address for Catherine. catherine.davis@reading.gov.uk

  8. Date of the next meeting
    9.

    This will be held in late February 2005. If possible could Lisa Slight arrange a suitable date with Steering Group Members.

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