The Institute of Air Quality Management was a consultee on the consultation over the Air Quality Strategy. With the publication of the Strategy on 17 July 2007, a Summary of responses to the consultation on the review of the Air Quality Strategy was also published.

One concern of the IAQM was the role of local authorities, especially under the new exposure reduction system for PM2.5. The response to this in the Summary of responses, was:

The UK Government and the devolved administrations fully recognise the importance of local authorities in helping to deliver air quality improvements. The new Strategy discusses these at great length and highlights the significant contributions they have made under the Local Air Quality Management system and describes some of their local actions to improve air quality and main regulatory functions.

A big issue here is how will the exposure reduction target be delivered? Local authorities through development planning and other local action should play a big part in this, but currently the mechanism for this to work remains unclear.

A key statement in the Written Ministerial Statement by Jonathan Shaw  (The Minister for Marine, Landscape and Rural Affairs and Minister for the South East on the Air Quality Strategy) was:

Two members of the IAQM, Committee Member Nikki Trought of Peter Brett Associates and Angela Spanton of Envirobods, braved the grueling heat during this years London marathon to raise money for charity. A total of 36,936 runners started on the race and the hottest race‑day for 11 years. Congratulations to both Angela and Nikki who both completed the race in great time.

It was Angela’s first marathon, which she ran in aid of Breast Cancer Care and raised an impressive £1,200.   Angela’s training regime was called to a premature ending by an ankle injury just a month before the race, so to finish in 6 hrs, 18m and 22s, was a superb achievement.  Angela said of her experience  “I had a great time, the atmosphere was fantastic. My husband, daughter and son, and some friends came along to support me and seeing them every now and again along the route really kept me going. In fact the support from the crowd all along the route was great and helped an awful lot!”