Local government has a specific role to play in developing Labour's "e-government" strategy, which plans to transform the delivery of public services for the wider benefit of the community. It has been tasked with the development of new technologies in implementing strategies to promote economic, social and environmental wellbeing.

Tower Hamlets is one local authority that is actively embracing the concept of electronic government. Alan Hawes looks at the use of IT within the environmental health department, in particular how databases and a geographical information system (GIS) are being used to manage vast volumes of information. Mike Coldrick explains how Huntingdonshire DC has also successfully used GIS for the storage, retrieval and verification of data linked to contaminated land.

Elsewhere in this issue, Nick Warburton investigates the Government's controversial plans for a fifth terminal at Heathrow. It's a plan that is seen by many as meaning only one thing: the construction of a third runway and an increase in noise exposure for local residents.

On the topic of health and safety, Richard Jones argues that investigations into serious accidents could be assisted if the EHOs involved enlisted the services of forensic medical examiners, who can help determine the cause of an accident from injuries sustained. While Andy Lucas questions how consistency in health and safety enforcement can ever be achieved when different local authorities devote significantly different resources to investigations and enforcement.

This issue launches a new, regular column, penned by David Statham of the FSA. He will share some of the agency's plans and strategies and try to keep you up to date with key developments on food matters.
Finally, remember that this is your magazine and the profession's only dedicated environmental health journal. If you want to share your views, opinion, comments and ideas with other members, visit the Forum page and get interactive now.

Tracey Khanna, Editor