Yorkshire and Lincolnshire Pollution Advisory Group formed

The former Yorkshire and Humberside Pollution Advisory Council (YAHPAC) has been renamed as the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire Pollution Advisory Group (YALPAG).

The Yorkshire and Humberside Pollution Advisory Council has been renamed as the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire Pollution Advisory Group (pictured: the Humber Bridge)

According to YALPAG, the new name reflects the composition of the group, which includes local authorities from Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, and the constitution has been updated to incorporate contemporary local authority governance.

YAHPAC was established in 1974 after local government reorganisation to provide a support network for local authority pollution control activities, to foster relations between agencies, deliver training and provide advice on implementation of environmental law.

Aims

YALPAG’s aim is to improve the quality and performance of service delivery for local authority pollution control functions by maintaining high standards of knowledge and fostering collaborative working between relevant stakeholders.

The Group will continue to support member local authorities to deliver consistency in regulation of environmental pollution, encourage dialogue and collaborative working relationships, and coordinate regional consultation on changes in legislation as well as regional training and education initiatives on environmental issues.

It will also provide advice on matters of environmental pollution law and practice and report to member local authorities and relevant Chief Officer Groups.

‘Opportunity’

Sarah Greenhough, secretary for YALPAG, said: “This is an exciting time for YALPAG and an opportunity to publicise the work we do. We currently have Technical Groups on air quality, contaminated land and environmental permitting with possibly a noise group being formed in the very near future.

“The change of name has come in tandem with a revision of our constitution however the main changes are administrative and the Technical Groups (formerly known as sub-committees) will continue the valuable work as they have previously.

“There are approximately 35 member local authorities covering Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.  We continue to support each other through knowledge sharing, training and identifying opportunities to encourage consistency in the regulation of environmental pollution matters.

“As changes to regulation and scientific knowledge come about we identify where there may be areas we can do further work to benefit members.”

More information 

Contact Sarah Greenhough, Secretary at YALPAG
sarah.greenhough@lincoln.gov.uk