AA Teccie (Paul)

Hi there, whilst I'm not aware of any specific 'HR' software, although I'm sure there are many options for such out there, we suggest the Approved Contractors consider membership of 'FSB' (www.fsb.org.uk) to access competent advice. This starts from about £130 per year as a sole trader. Other than that others either do it themselves or use external consultants. Sorry, not an answer to your question but perhaps "of interest" anyway. Cheers, Paul

Meaning the PTI course is before the AK course yeah?...understood and hence prior reading is the best option...unless you could consider delaying / postponing it which might be in both the LAs and yours interest (just a thought.)

In part, the other part being for those presenting as nominated manager in an ARB Approved Contractor business, the AA 'Arboricultural Knowledge' course (see https://www.trees.org.uk/Training-And-Events/Course-Detail?id=F70A1D98-B824-4229-B1E0-68C2C283EF6F ) was developed as a "bench-marking" opportunity for the PTI course. In general it's pitched at (academic) level 3.../4 and may be an option worth considering as a precursor if you're unsure (sorry if that sounds like a sales pitch, not meant to be!) Additionally, and a key aspect, is some prior experience of tree surveys and tree inspections...including recording the findings. Hope this helps. Cheers, Paul

In terms of "what should we have in place insurance wise", of course Employers Liability is the answer BUT then better reply relates to avoidance in the first place, and certainly avoiding a recurrence of a similar accident. This would include training / refresher & update training, information and instruction and good, effective, and knowledgeable, supervision...even if by the team leader / senior arborist etc. Presume HSE have been informed via RIDDOR and they too will doubtless have some say / guidance on identifying "root cause" and "preventative action"...all posh terms fer making sure it doesn't happen again. Also, don't forget emotional / mental impact on the work team and consider counselling. Tc, and I sincerely hope the injured party makes the best recovery they can and as soon as they can...so sorry to hear. Paul

Yes, no, probably I would say. However, if they can get you to formally withdraw your Sect. 211 notice and reissue with more acceptable proposals that can sometimes / occasionally be an option. No 'other powers' under Planning legislation unless perhaps a condition prevails...unlikely generally. If they, then LPA, consider your Sect. 211 notice to be vague / ambiguous they shouldn't register it in the first instance so the 6 weeks time period doesn't start running. I'm sure other will clarify further...hopefully not disagree tho unless a dumbarse reply :/ Cheers. Paul

Hi Oli, I've just spoken with Jess, our Membership Officer, and her comment was it needs to be accredited, i.e. backed up by a recognized awarding body as Stuart has mentioned, and if this was not UK based it would need to be demonstrated it was at the same UK level...and that would probably be your responsibility via, for instance, an organization such as NARIC (www.naric.org.uk) for which a cost would be incurred (circa £120 I think.) Further, and importantly, she suggested that if for instance you wanted to progress to the ABC Level 6 Diploma they, ABC, may not recognize it / accept it...might be worth enquiring too. Just some further thoughts to ponder and it might be worthwhile making the NARIC enquiry up front perhaps? Regards, Paul

Hi all, if the above is of interest, if only to "find out more", please come along and join me (see https://www.trees.org.uk/Training-And-Events/Course-Detail?id=F1C688CC-ADED-476B-B239-E99D9C17748A for further information and booking.) I will also cover the 'new' Affiliate Contractor Membership, as a "working towards" opportunity for ARB Approval, and the 'new' Utility Approved Contractor Scheme. Looking forward to seeing you, "and a friend" there Thanks all, Paul

Never heard of this organization, be interesting to know who tutors their arboriculture course(s.) Personally, but then I am "old school," I'd stick to tried n tested ones, e.g. TreeLife / The Training Tree / Myerscough or other colleges. Just my tenpenneth. Cheers, Paul

HI Tom, respectfully, I think its the work activity that pertains to the role that determines "what" we are, or rather how we refer to ourselves. Your staff with degrees, in arb or related presumed, could indeed be arborists or arboriculturists dependent on whether they are cutting trees or inspecting them and writing associated reports etc. A previous thread suggested that a (qualified) tree surgeon is someone who know 'where' to cut, the arborist being the tree surgeon who understands 'why' (perhaps supported, for instance, by the ISA Cert Arb or RFS or l2 'academic' qual.) When we previously revised the 'Choosing Your Arborist' leaflet, I pressed to change the title to 'Choosing Your Tree Surgeon (Arborist)' because it's aimed at the general public as tree owners and, predominantly, that is how most still refer to / know us. Just my tenpenneth, FWIW. Cheers, n hope you're well, Paul

Hi all, just a 'heads up' that the previously "open to all" online Help for Arborist resource has been closed and is now only available as an AA Member benefit. Ordinary Member (£60 per year, pro-rata) is the minimum level of membership that gives access and this also includes: - Access to the ARB Show (both days) - The quarterly ARB Mag - Access to the Member Benefits Discounts (but not for AA Training Courses - that requires Associate Member @£130 per year) - Access to AA Technical Help see https://www.trees.org.uk/Membership/Ordinary I acknowledge this is a significant change that will impact on many of you, or at least I suspect it will, but I hope the £60 per year will be viewed as 'value for money.' Thanks for reading and any questions I will try to answer promptly but please bear with me as I familiarize myself with this new website...very impressive. Paul

Hi Joe, thanks for coming along to the workshop, it was good to meet you. Regarding CPD please see https://www.trees.org.uk/Membership/CPD-Guidance and the attached. Hoping this answers your question. ATB n look forward to your application for assessment in due course Paul

Possibly. My (anecdotal) understanding is its the NI contributions they look to recover as tax will have / should have been paid by the sub-contractor. That said it all equals deductions and is all a 'form of' taxation anyway. Paul

Great, "I'll see you there" Paul

Hi Nikk, thanks for the post. If you're talking about this course specifically I'm delivering it at Askham Bryan (York) tomorrow ...if you're free please come along I did deliver it in March at Reaseheath College (Cheshire.) Nothing else planned for this year "up norf"...sorry, but likely for Myerscough next year sometime. Paul

Hi all, hope yer well.. If the above, FREE, event is of interest please see https://www.trees.org.uk/Training-And-Events/Course-Detail?id=5BAB931C-9710-452E-9F0B-189E4F26AB50 for further information and to book. I will also present about the 'new' Affiliate Contractor Member and how this acts as a "stepping stone" towards ARB Approved Contractor accreditation. Thanks all n hope to see you there.. Paul

I think the phrase is 'actionable nuisance', e.g. a branch from a TPO tree crosses a property boundary and impacts, and rubs, of the roof-tiles etc. (thereby potentially causing damage / harm.) Further, the nuisance exemption cannot apply to the same property, i.e. from where the tree grows (meaning a tree cannot be a nuisance to its owner.) If in doubt I would recommend seeking agreement with the LPA / Council and/or taking further advice, e.g. arb consultant (with experience in TPOs and legal stuff.) Cheers. Paul

Hi Kevin, hope you're well..."AIA"??? Cheers, Paul

A restrictive covenant perhaps? (this is not a LPA issue but a private legal issue.) Paul

Hmmm, 'reasonably' (whatever that really means...which of courses changes dependent which side of it you are) if you have made CA/TPO checks with the LPA and they've given the all clear then I would crack on. Any subsequent 'pc' issues would be for the LPA to consider...but would they really??? Cheers, Paul

Planning conditions are an ideal tool to retain trees/hedges/hedgerows etc., and usually located around the perimeter of a development site, whilst the construction process takes place, i.e. as a screen / buffer, and to soften the visual impact for a (short) period of time. It is generally accepted (I believe) they would be difficult to enforce after 5 years, and definitely after 10 years, dependent upon the wording to some extent...and perhaps what they were protecting, and perhaps on the will of the LPA to pursue action if breached. As is quite rightly stated, unless Conservation Area applies, the appropriate mechanism for long term 'tree' retention is the TPO. Just mi'ten'penneth FWIW. Cheers, Paul

"A DEAD tree, believed to have been declared safe by Basildon Council just weeks ago, has come crashing down...writing off one car and badly damaging another. Half of the tree, in Renacres, Basildon, had already fallen, but the rest had been declared safe by tree surgeon acting on behalf of the council. " Hmmm, don't always believe what you read in the press...what's the old adage about not letting the truth get in the way of a good story Of course it might be accurate. Paul

Probably Armillaria is involved too..

Hi all, I hope yer well n not melting too rapidly An "up norf" event that'd be great to see many of you at For further info and booking please see https://www.trees.org.uk/Training-And-Events/Course-Detail?id=2165BFB0-5EFD-4DD7-9FE0-7C2DDCE6464A Any questions "gis a shout" Thanks all.. Paul

Simplistically the fact that they offer 'repeat business' opportunities, talking topped / 'pollarded'(?) trees here, perhaps every 3-5 years...and then ultimate removal. I know one contractor who has a database of both hedge owning customers he's worked for, and 'topped' tree owners, and he contacts them annually / regularly reminding them their hedges / trees need cutting...works very nice indeed. That's why Paul

Mick, you've misinterpreted my post. The reality is it is more lucrative - a fact, not a snarky comment at all. Secondly, I just sought to add an alternative, possible / viable in some, but not all admittedly, approach which I do think is often overlooked. This is one of a range of options available to the client. I live in a different world to you Mick, admittedly, hence I do sit more on the theoretical side of the industry perhaps but I was merely adding my ten-penneth...take it or leave it. Respectfully Mick, I could challenge you for the constant polar opposite approach...hence a balance, and mutual respect, will hopefully be reached Be happy...at least your not affected by the political farce here in the UK TTFN, Paul