The Association of London Environmental Health Managers (ALEHM) reviewed the LAQN during autumn 2011.

Stakeholders, including London boroughs, King’s, the Health Protection Agency, DEFRA and the GLA, presented at a meeting on 17 November 2011. Topics included the history and operation of the network, provision of public information, LAQN support to the Health Protection Agency during emergency incidents, and during the Olympics, and costs of network membership in relation to other monitoring site costs. The strategic value of the LAQN measurements at both London-wide and UK level was also highlighted in presentations from the DEFRA and the GLA. In their statement ALEHM concluded:

• The network provides high quality air pollution data and information to support borough level local air quality management and the Mayor's strategies, and also provides important public information on local air quality to Londoners.
• The network benefits from its valuable partnership with King's College London, which not only co-ordinates the LAQN, but also undertakes research that informs and shapes policy and strategy at local and regional levels and is recognised at a national and an international level.
• ALEHM members will continue to support and promote the LAQN, and ensure it achieves London-wide coverage wherever possible.
• ALEHM also called for greater partnership between the Mayor and the London Boroughs on the LAQN in the future, with long term financial commitment for the LAQN to support existing monitoring and to address the funding of additional sites in order to ensure that the network is able to provide appropriate coverage in the future.

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Item date 19/01/2012