Notice of Freedom of Information Request for 5G Infrastructure
To: Chief Executive's Department
Date: 10th June 2023
Notice of Freedom of Information Request for 5G Infrastructure
(Notice to Agent is Notice to Principal, and Notice to Principal is Notice to Agent)
To: Freedom of Information Officer c/o the Chief Executive's Department,
Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, please supply me with answers to the following questions as stated below:
1) On the installation of 5G equipment and the large monopole installation can you confirm the environmental and health impact analysis?
2) Provide insurance details of harm against the person indemnity?
3) Provide the structural integrity data for the monopole and product insurance for structural integrity collapse?
4) Provide details of the self-certification in line with ICNIRP guideline and output from each transmitter in dBm or watts to confirm compliance with the self-certification that the council have allowed for planning?
5) The mortality rate (all-cause mortality) of people who died in Northern Ireland during the years; 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.
I would appreciate your immediate attention, as safety to all things living is imperative and paramount.
Yours faithfully,
K. Barnes
Dear K Barnes
Ref: Information Request No. NR-2023-304
Thank you for your request for information received by Armagh City,
Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council on 12 June 2023.
5G Infrastructure
Please note that Local Councils in Northern Ireland do not have
responsibility for the installation of 5G infrastructure; this is carried
out by mobile telecoms operators such as O2, Vodafone and EE etc.
Mortality Rate
Please note that this function does not fall under the remit of Local
Councils in Northern Ireland, you may wish to contact the Northern Ireland
Statistics and Research Agency: [1][email address] who may be able
to assist you with this part of your request.
Council will take no further action and your request will be considered
closed.
If you have any queries about this communication, please do not hesitate
to contact us. It would be helpful if you could quote the reference
number above in any future communications relating to this request for
information.
Yours sincerely
Information Governance Department
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council
Old Armagh Hospital | 39 Abbey Street | Armagh | Co. Armagh | BT61 7DY
telephone: 0300 0300 900
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Dear FOI,
Your Ref: NR-2023-304
Thank you for your response, I have noted its content. However I am concerned your Council is admitting it has absolutely no say or control over the planning and environmental impacts of companies erecting and installing equipment within public property and public spaces, this is most concerning.
Please therefore clarify the following;
1. Why would Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Council not carry out risk assessments, environmental and health impact analysis on potentially dangerous 5G infrastructure, equipment and monopole etc. located within public areas and footpaths?
2. All equipment fitted to public areas has a potential to cause harm, injury and death to people and therefore must be adequately insured for risk of harm against the community with full commercial / public liability insurance, please advise why your Council does not have adequate insurance in place for this equipment?
3. The 5G monopole and associated equipment must fall within the ICNIRP Guidelines, your Council has a responsibility to ensure the safety of all people / residents / citizens and the environment, please therefore advise why your council is not concerned about the output and possible harmful EMF emissions from this equipment?
May I suggest you speak with your Planning and Environment Departments. May I suggest you take into consideration the ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION REGULATIONS 2004 - 5G PLANNING EQUIPMENT.
As your initial response was extremely flippant, I wish to escalate this matter by way of a complaint to the C.E.O. of your Council.
Please advise of your complaints procedure and acknowledgment of my complaints.
Yours sincerely,
K. BARNES
Dear K Barnes
Re: NR-2023-304
Thank you for your email below, please accept our sincere apologies for
the delay in replying to you.
Having reviewed your email below, it is unclear as to whether you wish us
to initiate our internal review process regarding the handling of your
original information request or wish to submit a corporate complaint.
By way of assistance, we have reviewed your emails dated 11 and 12 June
2023 and Council can provide the following commentary in relation to the
points you have raised in your second email.
Where planning permission for telecommunications equipment is required,
proposals will be assessed against the provisions of Planning Policy
Statement 10: Telecommunications. This document sets out current planning
policies regarding telecommunications development, the aim of which is to
facilitate the growth of new and existing telecommunications systems
whilst keeping the environmental impact to a minimum. It also addresses
health issues associated with telecommunications development.
As part of the planning process, developers are required to demonstrate
that proposals for telecommunications development, having regard to
technical and operational constraints, have been sited and designed to
minimise visual and environmental impact.
In relation to the health concerns around the siting of telecommunications
apparatus, PPS 10 advises that applications for the development of
telecommunications equipment should be required to be accompanied by a
statement from the applicant declaring that, when operational, the
development will meet the International Commission on Non-Ionizing
Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) guidelines for public exposure to
electromagnetic fields. It also states that while health considerations
and public concern can in principle be material considerations in
determining applications for development proposals, the planning system is
not the place for determining health safeguards.
It is for the Department of Health to decide the measures that are
necessary to protect public health. According to regional guidance, the
Department for Health considers that the guidelines of the ICNIRP for
public exposure to electromagnetic fields are based on the best evidence
available to date. Accordingly, where concern is raised about the health
effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields, it is the view of the
Department of Health that, if the proposed development meets the ICNIRP
guidelines in all respects, it should not be necessary for the planning
authority to consider the matter further.
Therefore, any information Council may hold in relation to 5G equipment
and the large monopole installation, such as environmental and health
impact analysis, insurance details etc., would be site specific.
We hope this provides some clarification, however, please do not hesitate
to contact us if you wish to proceed with an internal review of your
request. Alternatively, should you wish to submit a corporate complaint,
details of our complaints procedure can be found on our website via the
following link: [1]Corporate Complaints.
Yours sincerely
Information Governance Department
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council
Old Armagh Hospital | 39 Abbey Street | Armagh | Co. Armagh | BT61 7DY
telephone: 0300 0300 900
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Dear FOI,
Thank you for taking the time to respond to my FOIA requests.
I need to conduct further research into these matters.
I may therefore need to make further requests at a later date.
Yours sincerely,
K. BARNES
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