Hampshire County Council

Executive Member, Policy & Resources Item

8 May 2003

Telecommunications Base Stations at County Council Schools

Report by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

1

Summary

1.1

The following decisions are sought:

That the information contained in the report be noted.

2

Reason(s)

2.1

The continuance of monitoring of telecommunications base stations.

3

Other options considered and rejected

3.1

None

4

Conflicts of interest declared by the decision-maker or a member or officer consulted

4.1

None

5

Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

5.1

None

6

Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent

6.1

Not applicable

Approved by:

..........................

Date of decision:

.........................

Councillor T K Thornber

Hampshire County Council

Executive Member, Policy & Resources Item

8 May 2003

Telecommunications Base Stations Audits at County Council Schools

Report by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

1

Introduction

1.1

This report details results of an national audit scheme of the County Council`s six schools that are affected by base stations by the Radiocommunications Agency (RA) on behalf of the National Radiological Protection Board.

1.2

Since 13 June 2002 when the policy relating to the development of telecommunications base stations on County Council owned property was reviewed, we have successfully encouraged the Radiocommunications Agency (RA) to include the six schools affected by existing base stations in their national audit scheme.

1.3

In the past the County Council conducted its own surveys, but the equipment used by the RA is more sophisticated and the results of the audit can, therefore, be said to have even greater validity than the County Council`s own investigations.

1.4

The independent surveys conducted by the RA measure the electromagnetic field emissions from the equipment being operated from base stations and relate to the results to internationally recognised maximum exposure levels accepted within the telecommunications industry. The results are referred to as being a percentage of the permissible International Commission for Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) standards. The audits at five of the Hampshire schools have been completed whilst, in the case of the sixth school, it has been decided that no further audit was necessary at this time.

2

Results of the Audit

2.1

The results of the audit, which have been scrutinised by the County Council`s Head of Science and Food Standards, are listed below:

The Vyne Community School, Basingstoke

0.009% of the ICNIRP limit

Richard Aldworth Community School, Basingstoke

0.054% of the ICNIRP limit

Cove Secondary School, Farnborough

0.053% of the ICNIRP limit

Crestwood Community School, Eastleigh

0.004% of the ICNIRP limit

Henry Cort Community School, Fareham

0.002% of the ICNIRP limit.

2.2

With regard to Meadowlands Infant School, Waterlooville, the RA has concluded that there has been no significant change in the characteristics of the base station since the last audit carried out in October 2001 when the highest level of emissions recorded was 0.032% of the ICNIRP limit.

2.3

It is apparent that the levels recorded at the schools remain significantly lower than the permissible ICNIRP standards, and these results have already been communicated to the schools. It is hoped that the information they have received will have given greater comfort to the governors, staff, pupils and their parents.

2.4

The issue of potential health risks associated with emissions from telecommunications base stations is very emotive and, in the continuing absence of any scientific evidence proving that the risks to health can be ruled out, the County Council`s precautionary approach to the siting of telecommunications base stations, is being maintained in accordance with the approved policy.

Recommendation(s)

That:

1

The report be noted.