National noise policy is finally starting to rise up the political agenda as part of the Anti-Social Behaviour Bill. Neighbourhood noise issues undoubtedly present local authorities with one of their most demanding challenges, particularly as there appears to be a strong public perception that noise levels are increasing and that local authorities should be doing more to deal with “unreasonably high” noise levels.
According to the available statistics, neighbour noise, in the guise of music, parties, televisions, raised voices and barking dogs, is the largest single category of noise complaint made to local authorities. Yet, it is also recognised that there is an ever widening gulf opening up between the public’s expectation of peace and quiet and local authorities’ abilities to resolve problems through the statutory process of nuisance abatement.

Concern within government about disparity in noise services and performance among local authorities has led to the CIEH and the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) revising the guidance available to local authorities on the creation and maintenance of effective noise management policies and practice. The new noise management guide is much wider in scope than the old guidance I take a look at the draft document. Primarily aimed at managers of local authority environmental health services in England, Wales and Northern Ireland responsible for enforcing statutory controls with regard to neighbour noise, it is nonetheless an essential tool for all EHPs with an interest in noise issues.

Still on the subject of noise, the debate around fireworks tends to amplify in the run up to bonfire night.We report on the new enabling act on the control of fireworks, the imminent European Standards and some of the inherent problems local authorities face when the issue of enforcing noise nuisance from fireworks crops up.

On a totally different note, Stewart Brock takes the opportunity to respond to the recent threats from the Health and Safety Commission to “name and shame” poor performing local authorities.

Finally, the CIEH held another highly successful annual conference last month, this year at the Belfast Waterfront Hall, and the parallel new professionals conference was attended by around 120 newly qualified and student EHPs. A handful of these new professionals were at the CIEH annual gala awards event at Chadwick Court in September to be congratulated on their outstanding final year performances. For those keen to spread the environmental health word, Harold Harvey gives a step-by-step guide to converting a dissertation study or research project into a publishable paper. Invaluable advice on how to get all that vital research out a wider audience

Tracey Khanna
Editor