In your weekly PCA update this week:
- Japanese knotweed webinar – 3 weeks to go!
- PCA to be guest editor on ‘Buildings’ journal
- Regional meetings to start next week
- Annual General Meeting 2020
- Complete the online self-assessment to avoid a fine!
- Structural Waterproofing Group meeting
- Successful Invasive Weed Control Group meeting
- Are you up to date with Ground Gas standards?
- Calling all Surveyors
- In the News
Japanese knotweed webinar – 3 weeks to go!
The next webinar in the series of professional development events is only 3 weeks away! For all our invasive weed members, this is definitely a webinar you will want to attend and share with your clients – let them see why they should procure a professional PCA specialist like YOU!
Register now for the Japanese knotweed ‘Problem Plant or Just a Weed?’ webinar. Presented by PCA’s Technical Manager, Peter Fitzsimons, the webinar takes place on Thursday 26th March between 8-9am and asks, ‘Does the real impact of Japanese knotweed live up to the hype’ and ‘how can we control its spread?’ .
Click to Register Now >>
PCA to be guest editor on ‘Buildings’ journal
Your resident researcher Paula Lopez-Arce has been invited by the scientific International Journal “Buildings” to be a guest editor for a special issue on “Protection of Buildings with Historic, Architectural or Cultural value”. This is a fantastic opportunity for members who are interested in submitting a paper on case studies/research/works relating to the protection of buildings – and also provides your Association with the opportunity to inform the international community about the new joint methodology document “Investigation of Moisture and its Effects in Traditional Buildings”.
We’re keen to hear from members, so get your suggested topics/papers in by clicking the button below. Paula can assist members with their article and also has been given an invitation to extend to members offering this ‘free of charge’. If you are interested or have any questions, please contact Paula direct on [email protected].
Click for More Info >>
Regional meetings to start next week
The next round of regional meetings are a fantastic opportunity for YOU, our members, to catch up with friends, colleagues and engage with your Association. Kicking off next week in Scotland on 10th March, ‘hot’ topics on the agenda include:
- Looking at ‘Investigation of Moisture and its Effects in Traditional Buildings’ methodology in more detail
- How we can protect against ‘Occupational Respiratory Hazards’
- Networking Breakfast – on trial at Northern and South East events
Find out more and read ‘what to expect’ by clicking the button below. To help us with numbers, please confirm your attendance to James Berry: [email protected].
Click to Read More >>
Annual General Meeting 2020
Our Annual General Meeting will be held at the PCA Head Office on Tuesday 21 April at 2.15pm. This year there are two directors retiring by rotation, in line with our Articles of Association, and one other vacant board position due to the resignation of Annabelle Webster. To remind members, the main purpose of our Board of Directors is to:
- take part in the formulation and ongoing review of the strategic aims of the Association
- ensure that as a Board, the Association functions within the legal and financial requirements of a ‘not for profit organisation’
- to provide oversight and guidance to the Executive team
It is key that the Board are made up of a representative cross section of the membership and imperative to have diversity on our Board and with this in mind, we are looking for nominations from members who feel they have a variety of skills, expertise and some time to offer the Association.
If this interests you, but you would like more information, please contact Sue Uttridge for an informal chat on 01480 400001. If you wish to nominate yourself then please complete the Nomination Form, provide a biography (and photograph) of no more than 200 words and forward to Sue by Monday 23 March 2020 – by post or via email to [email protected].
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Complete the online self-assessment to avoid a fine!
It has come to our attention that a number of our members have recently received letters from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) highlighting that their companies are not registered. The letter states that the ‘Data Protection (Charges and Information) Regulations 2018 require every business that processes personal information to register and pay a data protection fee, unless they are exempt. Failure to do so will result in a fixed penalty.’
Although the letters received look a little ‘suspicious’ they are very real and the information contained is mirrored on the ICO website. We would advise members that have not already completed the online self-assessment to do so to avoid a substantial fine. For more information and to complete the self-assessment, click on the button below.
Click for More Info >>
Structural Waterproofing Group meeting
Continuing the busy week of meetings and training here at the PCA, we held the first Structural Waterproofing Group meeting (SWG) of the year. It was fantastic to see this meeting so well supported and thank you to all of our members who attended and contributed to the interesting topics discussed, which included:
- The ongoing push for a review of BS 8102 – BSI have now published a proposal for this review and is urging everybody to express their support for the review here by 3rd April
- How the PCA should respond to the review of the ban of combustible materials in and on the external walls of buildings – which currently looks to make an exception for below ground waterproofing materials
- How our industry should look to embrace increasing concerns about sustainability within the construction industry
There are two further meetings planned this year on 9th July and 1st December. Please contact [email protected] for more information.
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Successful Invasive Weed Control Group meeting
Our first open meeting of the year for the Invasive Weed group gave us a chance to update members on the progress of the RICS Working Group on the review/revision of IP27; the Law Society’s new TA6 Property Information form; our proposed expansion of the training programme; the plans for this years conference and a PCA proposal for the BES Invasion Science Symposium in April.
We reported on discussions with GPI, the priorities for document review/creation, marketing activities and the impact of the Amenity Standard launch. The importance of PI insurance was also discussed following concerns raised by members about sourcing cover at sustainable premiums.
We’d like to say a big thank you to Richard Schofield for chairing and to all of our members who attended and contributed – your input really does help!
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Are you up to date with Ground Gas standards?
For anyone involved in ground gas, this is definitely one course you will want to get your technicians booked onto!
This is a highly practical one-day workshop which takes a look at best practice and the latest CIRIA C735 guidance on the verification of gas protection. Designed for on-site technicians who wish to keep up to speed with the requirements of good membrane installation practice and gain an understanding of the verification process to achieve a fit for purpose end product, and a safe property!
Contact the training team today on 01480 400000 or email [email protected].
Click to Contact Us >>
Residential Ventilation Masterclass
Are you passing on profit and revenue to others? Why not develop your understanding of dampness and ventilation in buildings and get more involved in residential ventilation issues! Maximise your chance of return on investment!
Contact the training team today on 01480 400000 or email [email protected].
Click to Contact Us >>
In the News
In the news this week:
We provided The Times with information for their article on how to deal with damp. This has appeared both in print and online.
Steve Hodgson was interviewed for the Weather Show, with Paul Hudson, about Floodplain’s and about what can be done to protect homes built on them (44mins in). The recording was aired on: BBC Radio Humberside, BBC Radio Leeds, BBC Radio Lincolnshire, BBC Radio Sheffield and BBC Radio York. To tune in, click on the link above.
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