CE Pollution Data Inaccuracies

Internal audit to determine pollution data inaccuracies

Cheshire East Council has begun an internal audit to establish why incorrect pollution data was submitted to the Government.

As part of the Council's on-going work to improve air quality, the Council undertakes monitoring for nitrogen dioxide at more than 100 sites across the Borough and submits this to data to the Government's Department for Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) annually.

In June 2016, as part of the preparation for the 2015 report, a number of inaccuracies were discovered that impact on the 2015 report and so the Council will now also review the 2014 report – which has already been submitted to Defra.

All of the air quality data is currently being reviewed to identify any further issues.

Cheshire East's public health team has confirmed that no immediate health protection measures are needed as a result of these inaccuracies.

The matter has been reported to the Council's Cabinet today (July 12) and a further report will be brought to Cabinet detailing the extent of the inaccuracies, the consequences and any remedial action.

The aim is to ensure that the monitoring results sent to Defra are accurate and timely and that members of the public are both fully informed and reassured.

Councillor Paul Bates, Cabinet member for communities and health, said: "We would like to reassure residents that the Council is looking very closely into how these inaccuracies occurred and will provide a full and open transparent appraisal at a future Cabinet meeting.

"We've spoken to our health teams who are confident that the inaccuracies have no health impact on our residents.

"Understanding where air quality is poor continues to be our focus and we will continue to try to alleviate this for the benefit of local people."

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