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| To advance the science of arboriculture for the public benefit |
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| To advance the science of arboriculture for the public benefit |
Up Front
Industry news and views, events, technical developments and people.
A Quarterly message from the Arboricultural Association by Nick Eden, posted December 2004
(This message is published in the Arboricultural Association's June Newsletter. For your regular copy, join us)
What's in a name? (Re-registration of the AA logo)
The name of the Arboricultural Association is worth protecting - that's why the name and the logo is trade mark protected. But has it worked for us?
Approved Contractors and Registered Consultants enjoy the benefits of being certified a competent contracting company or competent consultant and use the AA's logo accordingly.
There are others who use our logo without permission. Seeing people using the AA's logo without permission is a source of continual annoyance to both the AA and members who play by the rules (and pay good money for the privilege). County Council Trading Standards departments are the body with the power to enforce against trade mark abusers and we have been moderately successful pursuing some - but not as effective as we would like to be.
So - we have upgraded the legal protection afforded to the logo. The AA's logo is now a Collective Mark (subject to a satisfactory result once the Trade Mark's Registry has completed its public consultation in the New Year). By upgrading to a Collective Mark we will be able to pursue people who use the logo outside the rules of registration more vigorously - and I expect to be able to report results to you in the next Up Front in March.
For now, just remember, the only bodies authorised to use the AA's logo are the AA itself and anyone specifically authorised to do so by the Association - and that means AA Approved Contractors and AA Registered Consultants!
Code of Practice for Highway Maintenance Management
Of significance to local government officers John Booth (AA Chair Elect) is representing the AA on the revision of a document "Code of Practice for Highway Maintenance Management". W S Atkins is heading up the government-funded revision and is gathering views by a series of meetings throughout the country. It is likely that these meetings will be dominated by Highway personnel so John's presence is of immense importance.
John took the opportunity to question delegates at the recent ISA conference and raised concerns. For a start the document makes little reference to trees, and when it does the code's recommendation for inspections is an annual examination of all trees within and adjoining the highway. How realistic and necessary is this?
He will be submitting a written representation which will be used to influence the revision.
New Qualifications and Careers leaflet
You can access a copy of this new leaflet from our Publications page - particular thanks to Mick Cottam, Jonathan Oakes, Simon Richmond and Guy Watson for their input into this. Everyone seems unable to recruit enough staff so this is one part of an attempt to attract people to arboriculture, as well as mapping out routes to career progression. It also matches a miscellany of arb and arb-related qualifications to a common datum - the National Qualifications Framework
Arboricultural Association Trading Limited
This new company, set up in July 2004 is a subsidiary trading company wholly owned by the Arboricultural Association. Setting up the trading company was a requirement of the Charity Commission and its remit is to run the Approved Contractor and Registered Consultant schemes, which the Commission said was not a charitable activity.
It won't make any difference to contractors or consultants in the scheme, new applicants or people using their services. In simple terms it is little more than an accounting system set up to ensure that the running of the schemes does not impinge on the Charity's finances. In all respects it's 'business as usual'.
Work at Height Regulations and New Climbing Guidance
Latest information suggests that the WAH Regulations will be published early in the New Year, and following closely behind that will be the AA Guide to Good Climbing Practice.
By the time you read this Mick Cottam, as technical coordinator for the production of the new Guide will have submitted the second draft for peer review to representatives of the Health and Safety Executive, Lantra, Forestry Commission's Safety Advisor, Lantra's arboriculture Training Standards Verifiers and a handful of arboricultural contractors and managers. Thanks to all who took the trouble to download the first consultation draft from this website and make comments.
The Guide will interpret the WAH Regulations and contain clearly laid out industry best practice, particularly in relation to two areas causing most concern: the use of Mobile Elevating Work Platforms and twin rope working. The launch date is expected to be March 2005. Treevolution's Liam McKeown and Chris White have been the main technical authors.
The New British Standards. Where are they?
I sincerely hope you will have been able to see the public consultation copy of BS 5837 available from the home page of this website. The latest information suggests BS 3998 will be available in about April 2005 - keep an eye open for this also on our website.
But remember - these are consultation copies and have no authority whatsoever until published in final form by the BSI. Until such times you must continue to use the 1991 and 1989 versions respectively. Consultation responses are being accepted by BSI until 31st December 2004.
A Review of Tree Preservation Orders and Planning Conditions
Why is the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister continually asked for clarification and interpretation of TPO legislation? Why is it that some Local Authorities issue and enforce excellent planning conditions, but others come nowhere near their standards?
With ever increasing development pressure and at the same time increasing public awareness of the importance of trees these two methods of protecting trees deserve some profile. The Stop Press clip in our September Newsletter announced that the AA is undertaking, in cooperation with the ODPM a major project to prompt a review of TPOs and Arboricultural Planning Conditions. Consultation documents will be available soon.
AA Membership Restructure
Further to consultation via the June Newsletter and again at the AGM in September the AA is changing its membership structure in order to bring it more in line with other professional membership organisations, to encourage progression up through the membership grades and to consolidate a miscellany of general membership classes.
The main changes will be:
This takes place from 1st January 2005 - further information is on the membership page of this website.
Student subscription rates to full member rates and to help part-time students
arboricultural employment into one new grade 'General Interest'.
A National Standard for Tree Inspections?
Finding training outside a recognised qualification such as for the Technician's Certificate in Arboriculture or RFS Professional Diploma in Arboriculture is not easy so for 2005 the AA is launching two levels of training in this important area.
National Occupational Standard Level 1 training will be aimed at highway inspectors, park rangers and the like who may be required to inspect trees and identify basic faults for referral to a competent person for a thorough inspection.
NOS Level 3 training will be aimed at arboriculturists who have to make the final decision on tree safety issues - they have to identify and interpret all the appropriate signs that lead to a proper diagnosis and prescription of remedial works when necessary.
Importantly the training will be accredited by Lantra Awards so attendees will be given a certificate of attendance by Lantra. Keep an eye on the website for the launch - further details will also be in the March 2005 Newsletter. If you want to register an interest phone HQ on 01794 368717 or email admin@trees.org.uk and we will let you know as soon as the training is finalised and dates are available.
New 'Arb' Member for TTIG
The Trees and Timber Industry Group which steers the work of the Lantra, the Government's Sector Skills Council for our industry is chaired by Rhoderic Taylor and now has another arboriculturist appointed to its Committee: Paul Hanson of AA Approved Contractor Arboretum Internationale. Paul brings to the team considerable expertise in general arboriculture and a particular emphasis on utility arboriculture.
AA Award
Congratulations to Rhoderic Taylor who received the AA Award for 2004. A full citation will appear in an edition of the Arboricultural Journal soon.
And for 2005?
2005 looks set to be another year set with opportunities and challenges. New for 2005 will be:
Trade Fair, publications and support to members and the general public to help us care for trees better, and advance the science of arboriculture for the public benefit.
Nick Eden
Director