Environment Secretary Michael Gove has told MPs that the government’s promised Clean Air Strategy will be published this summer, following the conclusion of local elections across the country in May.

Mr Gove revealed the expected deadline for the strategy during an evidence session to MPs on the Environmental Audit Committee on 18 April, looking at the government’s 25 Year Environment Plan, which was published in January.

During the session, Mr Gove acknowledged that air pollution is a ‘huge public health issue’ and expressed his regret that the government had required legal action to stiffen previous proposals to address nitrogen dioxide emissions.

“I’ve acknowledged that we shouldn’t have been in a position where ClientEarth had to take us to court,” the Secretary of State told MPs, who criticised the government’s spending £500,000 on its legal defence in the cases brought by the campaign group. “To be honest I’m far more worried about the cost to the NHS and the cost in people’s lives,” Mr Gove added.

On the forthcoming Clean Air Strategy, he said: “Shortly after the local elections conclude we will be publishing the next set of measures that we believe will be necessary to clean our air and they will cover everything from tailpipe emissions, to ammonia generated by intensive agriculture, to the way in which we have environmental permitting of our ports.

“When that document is published it will quite rightly be held up to scrutiny, but one of the points that has been made to me, and I accept, is that the air quality problem is a huge public health issue, and unless it is properly addressed it will shorten lives, it will impose additional costs on the NHS, and it will continue to mean that the quality and duration of the lives of the people whom it is our responsibility to serve is diminished.”

The strategy was first mooted after the publication of the government’s air quality plan in July 2017 and is expected to cover five major pollutants, including Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), fine particles (PM2.5) and ammonia (NH3).

This would complement existing policies within the July plan which is aimed at bringing the UK in line with the 40 µgm3 EU limit value for the nitrogen dioxide pollution.

The Sanitary Science Class of 1978 at Napier College is planning to hold it’s 40^thAnniversary reunion in Edinburgh on 27 October 2018 for a meal.  

The 1978 Class did have a succesful 25^threunion and is now planning its 40^th. 

The date selected also happens to be 36 years to the day, when all the 1978 intake of students sat their Royal Sanitary Association of Scotland professional interviews in Glasgow.  One member of the group still has a football programme from that day as  two of the class went to watch Celtic V Dundee United that evening in a Semi-final of the League Cup at Parkhead.  This proved to be useful preparation as the first question on the second day of interviews for one candidate was “ Did you go to the match last night?”

Commenting on the renunion Neil Doherty said : “It would be great to get a good turn-out for the 40^th  reunion and to catch up with colleagues, some of whom we may not have seen for a number of years.  It is unclear where everyone is now working, but those we are seeking are: Alison Blackburn, Elaine Divine, Ian Wislson, Bert Valentine,  Ken Allen, Stewart Campbell, Norman Sylvester, Jean Allan, Lesley Macintosh, and Gavin Millar McLeod. “ If anyone knows of their where abouts, please contact Neil Doherty.

If you are interested in attending please contact Neil Doherty on Tel 01382-434058 or at neil.doherty@dundeecity.gov.uk  

Pictured is the organising committee of Roy Stewart, Kevin Boyle, Neil Doherty & Frank McManus who recently met in Edinburgh to discuss options.

A rogue landlord who rented flats in a block where a fatal fire broke out has been banned from letting property.

Harpal Singh was found to be illegally leasing 14 properties in Glasgow without a licence. The landlord who rented flats in a block where a fatal fire broke out in 1999 has been banned from letting property.

In 1999, two students – James Fraser and Daniel Heron – died after they became trapped inside a basement flat owned by Harpal Singh when a fire broke out in the property. A third boy, Christopher Lewis, was saved by firefighters.

Singh was jailed for 30 months for perjury after lying under oath at the fatal accident inquiry into the deaths, which ruled all three boys would have survived had the flat had working smoke alarms and didn't have metal bars over the windows.

Despite his role in the tragedy, councillors have been told he has continued to illegally rent out 14 unsafe properties while unlicensed.

The council have been building a case against Singh ever since he reapplied to be a landlord in 2013.

An inspection report of the properties in November 2017 revealed a list of dangerous problems, including lack of smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms, damaged floors, damp, windows which do not open, a leaking boiler, no window vents and cracked windows. Six of the properties have now been placed under closure orders

Mr Singh now possibly faces a £50,000 fine for acting as an unlicensed landlord, and has also been ordered to pay a £150,000 council tax bill.

Sandra White, MSP for Glasgow Kelvin said: "I was absolutely appalled that this man could go ahead and illegally rent out flats.

"I was appalled that he had the nerve and the cheek to put forward for another landlord licence.

"I think the council has acted swiftly but it's appalling that he was able to get away with it for all these years."

A spokesman said: "Officers from the Landlord Registration Unit have worked extremely hard to gather the evidence that has led to this decision. 

"Recently acquired powers of inspection allowed us to gain entry to the applicant's properties for the first time and that revealed multiple issues with the condition of those properties. 

"The applicant was also found to be operating unlicensed HMOs as well as running up substantial council tax arrears. 

"We are pleased that the members of the committee found that the applicant is not a fit and proper person to be a landlord."

The International Federation of Environmental Health (IFEH) in conjunction with Makerere University Environmental Health Students’ Association (MUEHSA) announce the call for abstracts for the 3^rd IFEH Academic and 16^th MUEHSA Scientific Conference that will take place from 9^th to 11^th April 2019 at Hotel Africana in Kampala, Uganda.

The conference will bring together practitioners, researchers, academics, policy makers, students and the entire environmental health fraternity from around the world to discuss recent research findings, developments, best practices, and innovations to advance environmental health training and practice.

The theme of the conference is: Environmental Health: a cornerstone to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Abstract submission is now open until 30^th June 2018. Further information can be accessed in the conference poster or on the conference website. You may also contact the conference secretariat by email. 

Glasgow city council has outlined proposals for the introduction of Scotland’s first low emission zone, aimed at tackling air pollution in the city centre.

The details were discussed in an update report to the Environment, Sustainability and Carbon Reduction City Policy Committee on Tuesday 20 March.  

The new zone, covering the city centre, is due to come into effect at 23.59 on 31 December 2018.

The proposals include an initial focus on securing cleaner bus services within the city, in an area currently covered by the city’s air quality management area. As part of this, all bus services operating within the low emission zone will be required to meet at least the Euro VI emission standard, within four years of the introduction of the LEZ.

This will mark the start of a journey which will ultimately lead to all vehicles entering the zone being fully compliant by 31 December 2022.

The Scottish Government has outlined substantial funding available to support the bus industry with LEZ. Over 70% of £10.8m funding in 2018/2019 will go towards supporting Glasgow’s bus industry to prepare for LEZs, which is enough to support the exhaust retrofitting of over 300 buses to ensure they meet the latest environmental standards.  

The report outlines the work being undertaken by the council and partners including Transport Scotland, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) and SEPA to address the various technical and legal matters associated with establishing a LEZ in Glasgow.

The report notes that it would be a “significant operational and logistical challenge” to have approximately 1,000 non-compliant buses currently operating in Glasgow brought up to such a standard for the end of 2018.

Currently between 10% and 12% of the city’s buses are thought to meet the standard, Glasgow city council claims, with compliance expected to reach 20% by December 2018, and 100% by 2022.

The report adds: “The subsequent phasing of the LEZ will apply to all vehicle types, unless exempted. Transport Scotland is currently identifying the agreed exemptions to LEZ compliance in order to ensure that there is national consistency in this matter and that no Scottish city suffers a competitive disadvantage in relation to the others.

“In addition, there may be a need for a sunset period for local residents and businesses, located within the LEZ area. This group will be given a longer period of time for compliance as unlike other groups who may avoid entry to the LEZ, this option is not available to those based within the zone.”

Phase 2, which is likely to include taxis and private cars, will be consulted on with stakeholders over the next 12 months in order that the process is proportionate and shall be supported by an economic appraisal, the council adds.

Glasgow’s LEZ will be the first of four such zones to be introduced in Scotland by the end of the decade. Other cities including Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee are expected to have similar zones in place by 2020 to address air quality.

Councillor Anna Richardson, City Convener for Sustainability and Carbon Reduction, said: "We are making real progress on our plans to have Scotland's first LEZ in place by the end of the year. Glasgow's LEZ will be the first of its kind in Scotland and has been modelled as being capable of making significant reductions in levels of air pollution in the city centre.

"It's recognised that the introduction of a LEZ needs to be proportionate and managed in such a way that ambition and practicality can be balanced. What we've seen and heard today are strong views expressed on both sides of the debate – some people who think we are going too far and some who feel we should go further and faster. Our job is to ensure the low emission zone is introduced at a robust yet realistic pace that will bring about the air quality improvements we need without having a detrimental impact on transport or Glasgow's economy and businesses.  

"While we continue to work with the bus industry to improve services – services which are vital to the lives of Glaswegians – Transport Scotland has made it clear that substantial grant funding, as well as loans, will be made available to support the bus industry and to protect passengers.

"That is why the initial phase of the LEZ will address local buses through Traffic Regulation Conditions (TRC's) set by the Traffic Commissioner. 

"Glasgow is forging a national path towards cleaner air – air that we will all benefit from. Poor air quality is a significant public health concern and a major social justice issue for Glasgow.

"Cleaner buses going through the city centre LEZ will also be travelling elsewhere and throughout our city's neighbourhoods and this is a really positive step forward in how we, as a city and as a country, go about creating healthy, liveable streets."

On the 6 April 2018 the Soft Drinks Industry Levy came into effect, a key milestone for the government’s bid to tackle childhood obesity.

The tax on soft drinks, commonly referred to as the ‘Sugar Tax’, has already resulted in over 50% of manufacturers reducing the sugar content of drinks since it was announced in March 2016 – the equivalent of 45 million kg of sugar every year.

Soft drinks manufacturers who don’t reformulate will pay the levy of 24p per litre of drink if it contains 8 grams of sugar per 100 millilitres or 18p per litre if it contains 5-8 grams of sugar per 100 millilitre. The levy is expected to raise £240 million each year and will go towards doubling the Primary Sports Premium, the creation of a Healthy Pupils Capital Fund to help schools upgrade their sports facilities, and give children access to top quality PE equipment. The levy will also give a funding boost for healthy school breakfast clubs.

Public Health Minister, Steve Brine MP remarked:

“Our teenagers consume nearly a bathtub of sugary drinks each year on average, fuelling a worrying obesity trend in this country. The Soft Drinks Industry Levy is ground-breaking policy that will help to reduce sugar intake, whilst funding sports programmes and nutritious breakfast clubs for children.

The progress made so far on our obesity plan is promising—but with one in three children still leaving primary school overweight or obese, we have not ruled out doing more in future.”

The Cleaner Air for Scotland Governance Group (CAFS) has been strengthened with specialists in health, environmental science and regulation.

The group who oversee clean air in Scotland, has been joined by two new representatives; the British Heart Foundation Scotland with interests in health, environmental science and regulation and Professor Campbell Gemmell, an expert in environmental science, policy and regulation.

The CAFS Governance Group support progress of achieving the aims of national cross-government strategy- Cleaner Air for Scotland – The Road to a Healthier Future (CAFS). The strategy sets out how the Scottish Government and its partner organisations propose to further reduce air pollution to protect human health and fulfil Scotland’s legal responsibilities as soon as possible. The strategy aims to achieve the ambitious vision for Scotland "to have the best air quality in Europe".

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said:

“I am delighted to welcome the British Heart Foundation Scotland and Professor Campbell Gemmell to the Cleaner Air for Scotland Governance Group. The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring the group has access to a broad range of perspectives, including a focus on the health impacts of air pollution. Both the BHF and Professor Gemmell will provide valuable advice and support as we work together to fight air pollution and the damaging impact it has on our health, and to have the best air quality in Europe.”

James Cant, Director of British Heart Foundation Scotland, said:

“British Heart Foundation Scotland supports the development of LEZs and therefore welcomed the publication of draft plans regarding an LEZ in Glasgow. BHF Scotland is committed to working with Scottish Government and Local Authorities to tackle poor air quality. Now it is time for all stakeholders to come together to implement workable and effective solutions.’’

Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland’s (REHIS) funding of £50,000 is being matched by Food Standards Scotland to expand the delivery of the Elementary Food Hygiene Course. This will provide up to 10,000 secondary school pupils with the resources to complete the training in 2018.

The REHIS Schools Food Hygiene Initiative is an innovative national initiative, which leads to the award of the REHIS Elementary Food Hygiene Certificate. It has been in place for over twenty years and has proved to be exceptionally popular with Scottish secondary school teachers and students, and with the food industry.

Successful students gain an industry recognised qualification which can fast track them into employment within the food industry and/or seasonal employment while undertaking higher or further education. Some students have found that taking this qualification while at school has supported other areas of their studies, including Home Economics. It also helps Scotland meet the SQA Curriculum for Excellence, Health and Wellbeing (Food and Health) experiences and outcomes.

The generous co-funding of the Institute’s initiative by Food Standards Scotland in recent years has led to an increase in the number of participating schools and successful students.

Gary Maclean, Scotland’s first National Chef and Senior Chef Lecturer at City of Glasgow College, said: “Awarding bodies such as REHIS play a fundamental role in equipping budding chefs and caterers with the skills and knowledge to start their culinary career.

“It begins with education, so investment in the food hygiene qualification will optimise fresh talent getting a ‘foot in the door’.”

Elspeth Macdonald, Food Standards Scotland’s Deputy Chief Executive, said: “The REHIS Food Hygiene Course is invaluable for anyone in – or aspiring to be in – catering and hospitality.

“We are delighted to continue supporting Scotland’s school pupils in obtaining this qualification which will serve them well in future, whether they are providing safe food in the home or within the food and drink industry.”

Tom Bell, REHIS Chief Executive, said: “On behalf of REHIS, I would like to thank Food Standards Scotland for generously match funding our schools food hygiene initiative, which will be fundamental in supporting its delivery in schools across the nation.

“Young people benefit widely from the initiative which provides them with an industry recognised qualification for future employment. Some students have found it useful when looking for part-time work during the school holidays or for supporting certain areas of the SQA Curriculum, such as Home Economics.”

Please contact Jackie McCabe, Director of Training at jm@ for further information.

Businesses in Scotland of all sizes and sectors are urged to enter the accredited environmental awards scheme VIBES – Scottish Environment Business Awards.

The VIBES Awards recognise businesses which have shown commitment, action and achievement in their aims to improve their environmental performance, enhance the competitiveness of their business and support wider goals of sustainable development.

The 2018 categories are:

• Innovation
• Management (250+ employees and <250 employees)
• Environmental Product or Service
• Hydro Nation Water Innovation
• Sustainable and Active Travel Award
• Circular Economy
• Green Team
• Best Micro Business

Entering for VIBES is free and simple. Businesses are offered support throughout the process to ensure things run smoothly. The application process for VIBES 2018 will close on 27 April 2018.

VIBES are holding nine free information events all across Scotland so you can learn all about good environmental practices, support available and their application process. Hear from other businesses who will give a personal insight into their experience and the innovative work that won them recognition.

Meet them at one of their free launch events:

• 22nd March 8-10:30 am – Fife At DoubleTree by Hilton – Queensferry Crossing (St Margarets Head, North Queensferry, KY11 1HP)
• 22nd March – 4-6pm – Glasgow At ScottishPower (320 St Vincent Street, Glasgow, G2 5AD)
• 26th March – 3-5pm – Glasgow School of Art – focus on textiles industry (The Reid Building, 167 Renfrew Street, Glasgow, G3 6RQ)
• 9th April – 2-4pm – Fort William at Blas Restaurant (147 High St, Fort William, PH33 6EA)
• 10th April – 4 to 6pm – Inverness At Highlands and Islands Enterprise (An Lòchran, Inverness Campus, Inverness IV2 5NB)
• 11th April – 3-5pm – Aberdeen At EC-OG (Davidson House, Aberdeen Innovation Park, Balgownie Road, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen AB22 8GT)
• 16th April – 3 to 5pm – Duns (Scottish Borders) At Greenvale AP(Craigswalls, Duns TD11 3PZ)
• 18th April – 4-6pm – Perth At Glaze and Save (Unit 9 Mercian Buildings Shore Road, Perth PH2 8BD)

To book your place contact vibes@sepa.org.uk or register through Eventbrite.

A report assessing which of Scotland’s protected geological features are at risk from climate change was published by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). The report, possibly for the first time, analyses important geological and geomorphological features on all legally protected Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Scotland.

The researchers found that 97% of sites are in a favourable condition currently, with 73% at relatively low risk when it comes to climate change. However, 17% could be at moderate risk and 10% could be at high risk from climate change impacts. These impacts include increased erosion, coastal flooding, changes in rainfall and storm frequency and intensity, changes in vegetation cover, and reduced freezing of the ground in winter.

The report develops a risk-based way of assessing future impacts of climate change on geological and geomorphological (landscape) features in Scotland. The assessment involves a combination of current understanding of how climate change will affect the features, as well as the knowledge of the characteristics of geological and geomorphological features in Scotland. This is a new approach and could be adapted to apply elsewhere, both in the UK and abroad, in the future.

The results of this report will feed into the Scottish Government’s second Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme. It is hope that this will help identify the consequences of climate change for all protected areas in Scotland and put in place mitigation or adaptation measures. The work was undertaken as part of a wider ClimateXChange project dealing with these issues, which are highlighted as actions in the Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme.

Overseas Scottish food and drink exports were worth approximately £6 billion in 2017 – almost £570 million more than 2016.

Food exports were valued at about £1.6 billion – a rise of 15% (£214 million) during the same period. Exports of food to Europe were worth £1.1 billion after an increase of 13%, or £125 million.

Fish and seafood accounted for the majority of food exports and were worth approximately £944 million, up 23% from last year. Scotch Whisky exports also increased by around £356 million compared to 2016.

Rural Economy Fergus Ewing said:

“Scottish food and drink exports are at an all-time high – with world-renowned Scottish goods like salmon and whisky being consumed across the globe at record levels. That’s due in part to sectors working together to sell our remarkable products, and creating or enhancing our national brands.

“The statistics highlight the importance of the EU single market to our food and drink success, with the EU buying more than 40% of our produce. The continuing uncertainty surrounding the UK Government’s Brexit plans, and the prospect of losing tariff free access to that market would be potentially devastating for our food and drink industry. 

“Confirmation by the UK Government that it wants devolved powers over food labelling to transfer to them creates further risk and uncertainty, when much of our success depends on our ability to market Scottish produce and provenance effectively. That’s potentially a huge problem in the long term to our food and drink sector, who share our ambition for further expansion, and to protect our national brands.

“The Scottish Government is doing all we can to support the growth of food and drink exports: working with key sectors to develop new and existing markets, boosting innovation and skills, and supporting Scotland’s local producers via business rates exemptions and grants for example.

“Our aim is to support the food and drink industry’s ambitions to double its value to £30 billion by 2030.” 

James Withers, Chief Executive of Scotland Food & Drink said:

"The world is increasingly developing a taste for Scottish produce and it is driving incredible growth for Scottish food and drink businesses and the economy as a whole. A few years ago, reaching £6 billion in annual export sales was just an ambition. However, industry leadership and a crucial partnership with government has made it a reality.

"It is particularly important to see our food exports increasing in Asia and North America, following in the footsteps of our number one export, Scotch Whisky, which is firmly back into its growth phase. However, Europe remains the top destination for many of our products, emphasising the need for a Brexit process which protects this vital trade.

"Sales of Scottish food have now risen more 130% in a decade, but we have greater potential still. Our industry has an ambition to double the value of its sales overseas and in our home market to £30 billion by 2030. Today marks an important step along that road.”

Table 1: Scotland Food and Drink Exports, 2017, 2016 and 2007 £m

Source – HMRC Regional Trade Statistics and Overseas Trade Statistics.

[1] Drink exports are defined as exports of Scotch whisky from the UK as per SFD target. 

The UK Supreme court has published its judgement in the case of Health Safety Executive(HSE) v Chevron North Sea Ltd which dismissed the HSE appeal.

The case relates to a Prohibition Notice served by HSE on an offshore installation where inspectors formed a view that corrosion had rendered parts of the helideck structure unsafe so that there was a risk of serious personal injury. The company appealed but also made arrangements to test the metalwork, the results of which were set out in an expert report almost a year later. The metalwork passed the relevant British Standard strength test.

At the Employment Tribunal, the decision for the appeal of the Prohibition Notice went in favour of the company despite HSE arguing that the tribunal should focus on the information that was available, or ought reasonably to have been available, to an inspector at the time of service of the notice.

HSE appealed on the basis of a different case in England (Hague (one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Health and Safety) v Rotary Yorkshire Ltd (2015) in which the Court of Appeal decided the case on the opposite interpretation (i.e. that the tribunal should decide the case on information before the inspector at the time they formed a view). 

In view of those contradictory positions and the possibility of confusion in Tribunal appeals north and south of the border, HSE was given leave to appeal to the Supreme Court. The judgment itself is available on the Supreme Court website.

 In light of this outcome the Supreme Court has said specifically that there is no criticism of the inspectors involved. In particular, the Court recognises that decisions often have to be taken as a matter of urgency and without the luxury of comprehensive information.

The Court goes further to say that ‘there is no reason for him (sic) to be deterred from serving the notice by the possibility that, should more information become available at a later stage, his concerns turn out to be groundless. Indeed, he might just as well feel less (original emphasis) inhibited about serving it, confident that if it turns out that there is in fact no material risk, the position can be corrected on appeal’.

The above judgement should not lead to a change in decisions made by inspectors from HSE and local authorities. Inspectors will continue to consult upon its own internal procedures and the National Code which requires local authorities regulatory practice to be consistent with the national guidance and procedures shared by HSE.