kevinjohnsonmbe

There's nothing to stop you identifying a tree that you think is worthy of consideration for TPO to the LA. No good in this instance but worth a thought for the future. I think there are 2 deficiencies in the application of current TPO regulations, (1) existing TPOs are not (generally) being periodically reviewed by LAs and (2) not enough people are proposing potential trees for consideration. Worth a thought now you have access to the online mapping tool... No good worrying about that which has already happened unless you take some measure to avoid future recurrence.

Not sure from what you've written how much of the case you're presenting is consequential to your recent diversity training? Diversity & Equality and immigration policy are 2 fairly distinct and separate subjects. If the majority of your diversity training was given over to discussing immigration it might be worth questioning the value and delivery of the training?

Ah, but you haven't really addressed the key point! Is the NHS cost effective & good value for money now, or is it possible that it could be done better for less? We'll have to agree to disagree regarding Mr Hunt. JDs seem to be advancing the argument that there are insufficient staff to run at full operational capacity 365. Well, if true, fine, the system will not deliver and Mr Hunt will be called omelette face. However, i don't see it as JDs role to kick off about manning levels, that's for administration / management to address. I agree, it's uncharacteristic for medical staff to strike and that's the bit I don't fully understand. From all IV read / heard about it, I really don't understand the need. I've paid tax & NI since age 15 a good portion of that time at the higher rate. Now I'm self employed and 6 years into a battle with HMRC that went to Tribunal last September which found about 70/30 in my favour and is awaiting Upper Tribunal, and I'm confident of getting the other 30% too. So to answer your question, I'll pay what's due, and die fighting over a penny more than I think right. Maybe if so much tax revenue wasn't pissed up the wall I'd be happier paying a bit more!

I have to admit Eggs, I may have set a bit of a trap there.... You may have jumped into it! In my example, I personally paid <£100 for a specific service which I was really happy with. It was efficient, timely, professional and profitable (for the service provider.) All those that have made tax & NI contributions, often over many years, are probably paying a good deal more, over the years, for a service that perhaps wouldn't be as efficient, timely and professional - and runs at a considerable loss, rather than at a profit (and unless I'm mistaken, there are the usual concessions available at Specsavers for the ever growing cohort of non tax & NI contributors (I had to try really hard there.)) It's a tough call, I appreciate that. I salute Jeremy Hunt for having the kahoonas to finally take the bull by the horns and attempt to grip a problem that so many previous politicians, doubtless mindful of their own reputation & career progression, have kicked into the long grass for way too long. There's certainly something I can't reconcile with this Doctor's industrial action - I think I've got it, but I'm not 100% sure. Junior Doctors...... Not your stereo typical ex German military parka, Che Guevarra T-shirt, shemagh and cnd pin badge wearing bearded commies that one might expect to be singing "the Red Flag" in the student union bar... So why has it come to this? I think the answer is that the NHS, and possibly some of those in it, have assumed a form of unassailable superiority which believes it, the NHS, to be somehow above criticism, budgetary control or political direction. And I think the general public are, by and large, so fickle as to crucify any politician that seeks to modify it whilst canonising those that spout the loudest about "protecting" it. Hence we end up with this deeply ingrained Labour + NHS = good, Tory + NHS = evil incarnate. Politicians avoid the difficult task in the name of self preservation, Joe Public accepts what they think is a status quo (which in real terms is a progressive decline) and the NHS maintains it's enviable image as the crown jewels. Who loses out..... Well let's see what state the NHS is in in 10-20 years time if nobody does nuffin about it now.

You having a "sensitive" day Mr Eggs?? 😆

I think I follow your line there Eggs. It was less than £100 for 2 pairs of reading bins. Now that might be a lot of paper for some folks and result in those with a need not getting what they need - I appreciate that potential could exist. But (some) people (I've seen shocking examples of it first hand) seem to treat the NHS as a right / entitlement that they can use, abuse and neglect at will - because it's free. Of course it's not free, it's eye wateringly expensive, but, because nobody pays at point of delivery, it appears to be "free." People (sweeping generalisation alert) tend to take better care of kit / equipment that they own compared to stuff that is provided by the employer or hired - there was a thread about lawn mower maintenance costs a while back. I think part of the problem is that too many people take the NHS for granted because it appears free. There's a lack of respect, appreciation and personal responsibility - missed appointments for example. I have to visit the GP later today. An uncommon event but I'm already starting to feel the rage building as I anticipate a waiting room full of lazy, selfish, ungrateful bstards (on the off chance someone is reading this and will be in the GP surgery, and isn't a lazy, selfish, ungrateful bstard - please disregard, it doesn't apply to you!)

:lol: Never let common sense get in the way of political in-fighting! And an absurdly multi-cultural juxtaposition of Caribbean street slang, Geordie twang and Etonian plum!

Bring him along!! 🍻

Thanks Steve, it's a neighbours outfit. Deals always available off season and by booking direct rather than through an agency. I'll pass on phone number if anyone wants it. http://cornwall-holidays.com/merryfield-manor/

I think you've lost the plot here fella and have potentially become blinded by your own core political allegiances to the real "danger" to the long term sustainability of the NHS which is really from the fundamental "Left" who unashamedly capitalise (ha, ha!) on the national phobia of anything that proposes change - or to put it another way, evolution, of the NHS. Before you spit out your coffee, please look to the perilous state of the NHS in Wales under Labour management. Firstly, I need to say that I support the NHS as much as the next man just to establish a baseline and avoid the claim that only socialists can possibly be in favour of the NHS. You seem to be proposing a simple polarised argument which suggests Labour = sustainable and effective NHS / Conservative (or UKIP) = destruction of the NHS. I would argue that exactly the opposite is true. Assured destruction will be the result of hysterical, irrational and fundamental opposition to evolution. It defies logic with an ageing population, greater life expectancy, increased demand and advances in medical science - not to forget but intentionally avoiding population growth as a threat. The solution is not to simply pump more money in - it doesn't work and is unsustainable. I experienced an impressive and efficient example of NHS privatisation recently. Rather than costing (the tax payer) a bundle, it cost me a reasonable price, left me feeling well served and having achieved value for my money for the service I received. I went to Specsavers, I had a timed appointment for an eye test which started at the designated time and took about 30 minutes, the admin girl did her work and preliminaries, then the optician did their bit. I chose from a dazzling array of frames and 5 days later got a call to go and collect the glasses. All in, done in less than an hour over 2 visits. Quick, efficient, professional, cost effective (to me) and with enough margin for the shareholders of Specsavers to make a profit. What's not to like? I can't really be bothered to describe how the glacial inertia of a colossal public sector organisation would manage to deliver a fraction of the satisfaction at an eye watering multiplication of the cost, but I hope you might see the point.... To suggest that some privatisation of appropriate services should be opposed on the basis of political allegiance is a folly that will lead to the demise of an institution that actually belongs to all, regardless of core politics.

Is it OK to post a link to a recommended UK holiday accommodation website (Cornwall)? There is a (tenuous) link to Arb since the owner would likely accept barter payment of specialist skills in return for discounted rates. Could be an attractive family holiday option for someone willing to bring their saw on holiday! It's a cracking venue with 2 accommodation options, 1 has capacity for 9, the other for 7 providing some great value for money as a group or large family. I won't post the link until it's confirmed as OK or not.

:lol: :thumbup:

I think Swampy may take a different view.....

Could go right, could go left, might be in the middle......

Slippery bar stewards!

It's already out there Matty - Ancient and Other Veteran Trees: further guidance on management (http://ancienttreeforum.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/ATF_book.pdf) - to name just one example. I'm sure there are more....

Anyone watch it? I know it's trash TV but there were some relevant issues: Noise from leaf blowers.... Basement developments.... CA area paint jobs... Some big money battles going on there....

Bloody good film - dreadful special effects, awesome tension, drama and delivery. Don't make 'em like that anymore!

Not that unrealistic - certainly not a wasted effort or un-needed, I'd argue. Wether it be the TO or the FC field officer, SOMEBODY needs to try and educate the people that are so desperate to wring every last ounce of efficiency out of the land - at any (environmental) cost. Instead of whining, on the one hand, about the perceived burden of overtly restrictive EU cross compliancy requirements, whilst on the other, claiming ignorance of the 1967 Forestry Act when smashing out hedges (yes 1967 - it's been in effect THAT long (and people STILL claim "ignorance")), and yet still claiming to be "custodians" of the countryside (and greedily hoovering up a plethora of tax payer funded concessions and benefits), the agriculture INDUSTRY might stop whining and take some responsibility for it's actions....

An all too common sight - even on LA tied farms where TPOs may be considered inappropriate since an LA is generally presumed to be a "responsible" tree custodian. A fine example of one of the reasons I find the "farmers are the custodians of the countryside" rationale so blatantly inappropriate.

True Steve, it's not a mini digger where the job calls specifically for a mini digger. Either the fixed back hoe, with the implication of having to move the vehicle to slew, or the slew arm variant where you'd have to change seats to move the vehicle, are not as good as a mini digger but for versatility, utility and perhaps less complex or occasional jobs.... The question would be, hire a mini digger or buy the attachment??

There's an ap for that! Mini digger - MultiOne

:thumbup1:

Per man? 3 man crew??

Cheeky monkey! That's a blatant sales pitch!! And, likely to re-ignite a whole nuther line of debate!!