Paul Jenks

I concur. Each situation is different and to apply a one size fits all approach is both unprofessional and inappropriate. Learn to listen to the client needs and concerns and then give guidance. If they wish to retain the tree explore the reasons why and explore the options available along with the potential physiological, structural and management implications of the recommended works.

I've just received this from the Head of Tax and Business Law at the ACCA Where a company has multiple directors then any who are paid through PAYE can be furloughed provided that at least one individual remains in office for statutory purposes. Unfortunately we still don’t have a definitive position for sole director/employee companies. Some commentators have indicated that they might have had particular views expressed by HMT sources etc but that’s not particularly helpful when we don’t have formal guidance in place. The issue of sole director/employee companies is one that ACCA (along with the other professional bodies and the IoD) is pressing hard on with HMRC/HMT. There has been a lot of discussion around the technical distinction between the director as employee and the Office of director and whether the duties of the two can be separated within the existing guidance so as to allow the employment to be furloughed without the company/director breaching Companies Acts requirements. As soon as we have a clear, published official position to share we will let members know.

A democracy works by consent. There is no way the British government could hope to enforce the type of lock-down seen in China. The current restrictions are only possible to enforce because of a gradual increase in awareness through the population as to the looming potential of the virus to affect each of us individually as well as the wider community. The majority of the population has to see the sense of the restrictions for them to work, however imperfectly they're implemented or adhered to. The management of the fear the population has around their health, the health of their families and friends, their livelihoods, paying the bills and food security is, in my view, one of the significant factors the government has to take into consideration when imposing new regulations. Combine this with the potential catastrophic effects on the NHS, the economy, national security, food and fuel supply chains etc, the government is always going to appear to be on the back foot, notwithstanding any oversights and mistakes they make along the way(real or imaginary). Fortunately, most folk see that the time for political retribution or sniping is not now. Illness aside, most of us will get through this with our physical ability to create economy and will thus be able to contribute to the re-booting or, depending on the scale of the crisis, re-building our economy. How are people faring with regards to their mental health and well-being? There are some big worries some of us are dealing with. We're using houseparty and zoom to keep in contact with friends, family and work colleagues. Staying connected is, in my view, the most important thing to maintain, not just at this time but ongoing. We use it to continue our work, maintaining contact at points throughout the day with the operations, surveying and administrative departments. It really helps us to acknowledge fears and concerns and keeps us all grounded so we can make discerned decisions without preoccupation. We can effectively bring our team to us if we've encountered a problem with our job or are concerned with some other facet of our lives that inevitably pops into our head.

There is little clarity on this matter from UK Government. The CBI and the IOD say directors are allowed to carry out their statutory duties. Alas, this doesn't mean quoting and answering the phone. (how much investigation will be done to check your adherence to the activity limitations during or after this current crisis, is a moot point.)

If it was a problem for the crematorium, they wouldn't allow them or would specify a wooden coffin at the time of booking. The undertakers, if they didn't have such a monopoly(thus creating lazy thinking), would develop a padded plank to sit under a cardboard or wicker coffin that would also make the carrying more comfortable for the pall bearers.

With the strange times we're now living through, that is a great idea.

I think you do have to be a member to access a lot of the bits and bobs that used to be freely available. Part of this is because, whilst The AA is endeavouring to shape and enhance the industry, there are many factors that affect the diffusion of information and documentation. Cost is one of them. Misuse and/or misunderstanding of health and safety systems, protocols and data capture is another. There are more. The cost of membership is more than made up for by the documents, supporting information and other benefits that’ll allow the end user to apply them appropriately and should improve awareness around the why of health and safety, not just form filling. Peace, courage and respect paul

Great energy there. Thank you for reacting. I see that I may not have got the balance of responsibilities appropriately distributed in my post. My addition below is a small snapshot of my interpretation of the way BS5837 surveys work in the reality of the world we’re in. It’s not meant to be definitive, absolute or combative. Local authorities, and perhaps, more specifically tree officers(though not always), currently determine the parameters for what is considered or deemed to be a sufficient level of quality to satisfy planning requirements. There are are many variables between departments in the same local authority let alone between different authorities in different regions. Architects work in a different realm, as do surveyors and consultants. This arena, too, has it’s own variables and quality standards. As they work with, and often against, the LA a lot, they should be in a position to guide and give insight into what might be expected by the LA with regards to tree surveys. Clearly, even an enlightened person is unlikely to be able to predict how a planning officer or tree officer might be disposed to view a site survey on any particular day. A person with integrity will aim to serve their client by sharing insight into a situation gathered from their years of experience. They would endeavour to open out a discussion around the type of requirements and conditions the planning authority or other stakeholders, (infrastructure providers, ecologists etc), need to make a decision. Notwithstanding the the variables in quality of product or the quality of interpretation, my experience is that most architects avoid these subjects with their clients. Perhaps this is because of the variability of the product, the interpretation and thus the unpredictability of the outcome. Peace and respect Paul

The same process applies. When you’re stepping into entrepreneurship, you learn how to engage with people. You learn fast how to be effective and gradually you’ll learn how to build long-term symbiotic relationships with other contractors. If your values and and actions align with others, you’ll soon build a credible team of contractors who’ll support you and who you’ll support in turn. Youll gradually work out the type of work you prefer, how to price it properly and how to gently pass on or refuse work you don’t. When starting a business, most people who’re pretty handy will do just about anything to turn a shilling. Once your economy is sustainable, you can start to be selective about who you work with and the type of work you want to do. P

Usually the lpa will require a cad or similar site plan based on a site topographic plan, along with a tree survey and any protection measures that may be required to ensure the root zones of any trees are kept intact. Builders are reknowned for ignoring trees trees and roots and the damage can be minor to catastrophic. The lpa lpa has a responsibility to any future owners of the tree or house or third parties that may be affected by the tree to ensure its continued viability. Architects should, by now, know that any proposed development that has the potential to affect trees or be affected by trees will likely require a BS5837:2012. Alas, because most are too attached to actually getting the commission, they tend to omit this in their brief, because of the extra cost to the developer or householder and the risk this has to them winning the commission. Because the lpa pick this up after the planning has gone in, they are seen as the bad guys and then the professionals asked to submit quotes for surveys are also victimised for their prices. Arb surveys are not simple paper trails and there is a lot of intelligence, insight and consideration that goes into them. £800 could be over priced or could be very good value. Sometimes the price of a survey has a bearing on its quality and sometimes the quality has a bearing on a councils decision and sometime it doesn’t. There are a lot of variables. Paul

There are a lot of subcontract climbers out there that pick up bits and bobs of work for themselves and then struggle to parcel works together to make it worthwhile. Im sure that once you get to know some of the freelancers around, spending a day with one doing his small jobs and then the next with another is a commendable way to start pioneering your way into business. Make sure you know your baseline costs and work out work out a day rate that works for you and delivers some profit over and above allowances for breakages and general servicing and replacements. Communicate what you you expect from any climbers you’re preparing to work with and also what they can expect from you.

Any 3.5tonne vehicle with a tipper is going to have a maximum load capacity of 1-1.1 tonnes and that's assuming you have a lightweight chassis and an aluminium body. By the time you have tools and manpower loaded this is usually down to 800-900kgs which amounts to 3-4 cubic metres of chip. I think £600 would be on the conservative side for a fine if VOSA really wanted to get started. They have to self fund after all. As for a full roof cover, a tarp can be expensive, but a bit of chip in a passerby' face might cost a little more.

I'm guessing that the area would be occasional use? If so then use a membrane and cellweb solution. This will minimise the compaction whilst retaining the porosity of the ground to allow the roots to breath and moisture to percolate. [ame] [/ame] If you can use the same holes for the fence then there should be no need to damage the existing root structure.

You could get a cardboard box from a washing machine or perhaps a dishwasher. Use that and then you won't be overweight. Bio-degradable too

Most of what I burn is ash. Usually because it's bloody good stuff and because it can be burnt pretty well straight away. Clearly, it won't burn as well as if its had a few months seasoning. If it's all you've got, get it on the fire. It'll sizzle a little bit. Get the next lot you want to chuck on the fire in the warm and dry. I stack mine alongside the log burner for a few hours. Good to go.