Continuing Professional Development

Planning & Surveying Seminar held on 27th February 2007

The National Society of Master Thatchers is running a series of seminars aimed at providing thatchers with a record of training and continuing professional development (CPD). This seminar was the first for 2007 but is third in the current series.

In a climate of increased and changing legislation it is important that members know about changes and where possible, utilise those changes to their own business advantage.

The insight into surveying thatch provided by Bob West (photo, left!) gave delegates the opportunity to extend their professional capabilities. Guidance was given for surveying thatched roofs as addenda to structural surveys by Chartered Surveyors, or as stand alone surveys (usually for buyers of thatched properties).

Guidance was also given on surveying thatched roofs for the purpose of adding a specialist report as an appendix to a Home Condition Report, within a Home Information Pack, conducted by a qualified Home Condition Report Surveyor. From the 1st June 2007, these reports will be a legal requirement for any property offered for sale in the UK.

Conservation and Planning legislation has long been a controversial subject amongst members and between those that administer the law. Sally Stradling is a freelance conservation consultant and is very much involved with assisting NSMT members with making the application for listed building consent as painless as possible. The role of conservation officer covers a wide range of specialist areas it is impossible for them to be experts in them all. As craftsmen, thatchers are frustrated when the intervention of local authority conservation interferes with what thatchers consider is not in the best interests of the property. It is acknowledged that some parts of the legislation regarding thatch are in desperate need of updating. The Society is working to address these through its own Guidance notes. The NSMT, as a responsible trade body cannot condone breaking the law, but it is important that we communicate clearly to the law makers and enforcers when and where the law, in ignorance, compromises the craft.

24 Continuing Professional Development Certificates were awarded to attendees, and interest was expressed in arranging future Health and Safety Training in the South West & the East Anglia Region.

A fairly attentive audience......