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Eastern

The last Eastern branch meeting and AGM was held on 3rd April.at The Limes Hotel, Needham Market.

The event started off with tea and biscuits and proceeded with the formal arrangements of the AGM which was to elect officers for the coming year 2003/2004. There were no nominations for Chairman so Brian Baker volunteered to stand for another year. Anton Martiniussen was re-elected as the Secretary and Treasurer and all others on the attached list were also re-elected another year for the same positions. The accounts were approved ant the auditor Mike Alston re-elected.

The meeting was well attended by approximately 30 delegates and we had the following speakers who talked about:

Brian Baker - Milton Keynes County Council talked about Safety Training programs, course details and benefits to the industry. There has been a wide take up of these courses since they were launched last April

Mike Jennings - Gilbarco VeederRoot gave a comprehensive update on his company and talked about remote Fuel monitoring and how this could effect site inspections in the future.

Harold Ross - Ross Environmental Ltd another fascinating subject about bugs that eat oil from reclaimed cotton fibres. The product absorbs oil based liquids and most chemicals while repelling water.

Rodney Carter - Petroman talked to us with great enthusiasm about the Acumulus valve used for fuel deliveries and retains vapour in the tank by putting the tank under negative pressure.

A big thank you goes to all the speakers who made it such an interesting event for the branch members and a special one to. Mike Jennings for giving us extra of his time as Ian Taylor of Hytek unfortunately had pulled his back. We wish him a speedy recovery.

The APEA name came up as a subject in moving with the times there should be a redefining of it under the banner of the APEA.with a recognition of the environment From Eastern branch came the view that aims and objectives should be clearly agreed first.

Anton Martiniussen Branch Secretary

Midlands

Dear all

After another successful meeting which was held by the Midland Branch on the 28th January at BMW, Hams Hall, with the attendance of 31 members.

After a number of entertaining speakers we held the Midlands Branch AGM which elected the following people:

Tom Hocking Chairman Jeannie O'Beirne Secretary Rex Wheeler Treasurer And last but not least myself Richard Quarmby Branch Rep

'Sorry the same old group as last year.’

Committee Members:

Rob Tunnicliff Peter Godfrey Jeff Cumiskey

We are planning to hold two further meetings of which one will be on 21st May,venue in Malvern TBA . However, near enough for the Welsh branch members to attend. Secondly also again I'm afraid venue TBA in August.

Richard Quarmby Branch Representative

North East

Nothing to report at present

The format of NW Branch meetings is a morning meeting concluded with lunch and an opportunity to network.

During 2002 the NW Branch held two meetings. The first, on 21st March was the AGM and Technical meeting, held in Skelmersdale, Lancashire. The topics which were presented ranged from:

• DEFRA Code of Practice for

Groundwater Protection at

Petrol Stations • Control of Pollution (Oil

Storage) (England)

Regulations 2001 • The IP "Guidelines for Soil, groundwater and surface water protection and vapour emission control at Petrol

Filling Stations etc.

With over 40 members in attendance a lively discussion ensued prior to the buffet lunch.

In November we held a joint meeting in association with the Institute of Petroleum at the Holiday Inn, Haydock entitled The Cost of Loss. Another well attended event, topics covered many aspects of business loss including:

• Minimising losses by embracing energy efficiency • The Underwriters point of view • An early warning system with

Wetstock Management • The changing scene of

Legislative factors • Can it happen to you, theft in the workplace • Lost time in the workplace, how much can accidents cost

An added feature of this event was an exhibition with a number of member companies taking exhibition space

We kicked off the 2003 season with another dynamic AGM and Technical Meeting on 20th March. Topics presented this year were:

• Meantime to corrosion failure techniques and tank farm cathodic protection