NOTES OF THE SOUTHERN ENGLAND RADIATION MONITORING GROUP MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 9TH OCTOBER 2003 AT READING BOROUGH COUNCIL

Present

    Alan Higgins, CEHTSO, Portsmouth City Council
    Andy Broomfield, Bournemouth Council
    Monica Wilsch, Slough Borough Council
    Ian Croudace, Southampton University
    Paul Williams, North Cornwall Council
    John Leech, Exeter City Council
  1. Apologies
    2.

    None

  2. Minutes of the meeting held on 13th March 2003
    3.

    The Minutes were confirmed, although it was noted that in item 6 it should sign ‘re-signed’ as opposed to ‘resigned’.

  3. Matters Arising not on the agenda
    4.

    1. Training
      2.

      Alan noted that there was a training opportunity in Portsmouth on the 23rd October 2003 when NRPB were running a Seminar on remediation after a terrorist incident involving nuclear materials. Alan indicated that there were some places available which could be accessed by contacting him subsequent to the meeting. There was no charge for the Seminar.

    2. Argus
      3.

      The University were going to have to replace the tube for their Argus system and it was noted that Wokingham had indicated they would sell their system so the University might be able to purchase the tube from them.

    3. Annual report
      4.

      The annual report had been published and distributed.

  4. Sampling Programme
    5.

    Ian indicated the sampling programme was going well with the occasional problems with the Dash-it collection service. The University had reviewed other potential providers but there appeared to be no alternative sources and therefore they would be sticking with Dash-it.

  5. SERMG Membership
    6.

    Contracts – Ian produced a list of those members that had signed up and those that were still either not committed or either hadn’t responded. There was a considerable discussion about the situation (see separate note), but it was determined that Ian would send out further contracts and invoices to all members and report back to the group. ACTION: IC

    It was also agreed that Ian would draft up an item for Environmental Health News and Environmental Health Journal to see whether or not we would produce some publicity for the group bearing in mind the need for Local Authorities to have access to the type of expertise offered through the monitoring group should they be faced with the long-term issues arising from radiological or nuclear terrorist incident. ACTION: IC

  6. RIMNET 3
    7.

    The note from Keith Binfield, Defra was circulated indicating that Rimnet 3 was behind schedule but they hoped would be up and running towards the end of the year. There was still an issue outstanding about Defra supporting some quality assurance within the group and there had been no progress on this. Alan would continue to chase.

  7. Seminar
    8.

    It was agreed we would look to run the annual Seminar around the Easter time 2004.

  8. Larnet Conference
    9.

    The flyer for the Larnet Conference was circulated for information. It was being held on the 25th November in Glasgow, the title “Radiation, Communicating the Risk”. It was agreed that the flyer should be circulated with the Minutes.

  9. Date of the next meeting
    10.

    This was set for the 5th February 2004.

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