Chairman’s Report

The fact I am penning my usual rant it seems to me that it has come around quickly this time with the half year fast approaching. To put every issue together depends on submissions received and much of my time is spent seeking out news or technical items that are of importance to the membership so we can all learn, occasionally through the misfortune of others.

One thing I can say is that after several attempts, I have not managed to secure an article on the infamous “Morrison’s” fire in Livingstone, Scotland that occurred towards the end of 2008 despite numerous requests.

It seems odd that in an industry quite insular, but priding itself in its ability to share issues with everyone, as well as its activities and sense of achievement, irrespective of good or bad news, has not been forthcoming on this occasion. Maybe I can shame someone into writing an article about this fire as I suspect there are genuine lessons that can be learned, judging by the video footage dramatically shown on the internet showing a large column of black smoke issuing from the forecourt - but there is one big question that the industry should ask itself –

What if that particular supermarket operator had operated an Unattended Self Service Site?

The quick thinking of staff and contractors alike who were on site, ensured that the emergency services had been summoned and that an evacuation took place so there were no injuries reported.

The issue of unattended self service sites in their own right has instigated a national inspection campaign that has recently taken place with disturbing findings of non- compliance, failings in risk assessments and numerous prohibition notices being served. Is it time for a re-think on how these sites are controlled? I hope to obtain a factual article for a future issue of this Journal but needless to say the findings of many Petroleum Licensing Authorities will probably be discussed at the Petroleum Enforcement Liaison Group (PELG) that may result in further guidance being published.

Talking of published results, the final outcome of the Buncefield Investigation has stated that Total were found responsible for the series of explosions that occurred in December 2005 and claims of £750 million have been recorded. This might be one of the largest fines ever in the UK and a strong reminder to us all in exercising diligence in what we do.

The same can be said of BP in terms of a leak from a former service station in Luton back in December 2001 as a local newspaper recently reported (The Luton News April 15 2009) a leaking underground storage tank lost nearly 40,000 litres of unleaded grade that was just 230 metres away from a main water abstraction plant serving the town of over 100, 000 people, despite a substantial fine in 2002 there has been little activity in the continued clear up that now enters its eighth year. It is alleged that BP are pumping 250,000 litres of water a day out of the ground to prevent the fuel spreading further and to ensure that the fuel does not reach the water table. The local authority is now starting to demand further action as frustrations mount.

Now looking ahead, we have our Annual Conference in October, as we finalise our proceedings and with the speaker line up nearly complete it includes what may turn out to be a controversial day with the present UK Government showing increasing support for the electrification of vehicles, it makes me ponder the thought – will filling stations be a thing of the past? It is conceivable that you could fill up (charge) your own electrical supply from your own home and its cost added to the domestic electricity bill making the “motorist” self sufficient. I do not think that is a million miles away from reality. What do you say about it? Ever more reason to come along to the APEA Conference 2009.

Personally I have had a couple of trips to Northern Ireland lately and have to say I really like the place with some fine countryside and hospitality given by my hosts. The supermarkets are having a substantial effect on the petrol station market there and already one independent retailer has gone for unattended self service provision as evidenced by the front cover of this issue.

That said there are signs of serious investment and a lot of building work can be seen though in more recent months, the local economy has slowed to pretty much across Europe and for that matter, globally.

There is glorious sunshine outside at the moment and it is an ideal time to get my potatoes in the ground, pot some fuchsia’s and generally relax in the garden. What a lovely time of year!

Until next time

Brian

Letters to the Editor

FAOBrian Baker Dear Sir

I don't know if you will remember me . I'm the PO for Bristol, and we met at one of the APEA courses a year or so ago.

I thought I'd feed back my appreciation for your artcle re M & M Mart garage in the recent bulletin. Since starting here I tried to dig out the story, but was unable to find the detail I wanted ( I wanted to use it to show Councillors the importance of the role). Most of my colleagues, who mostly grew up in Bristol, were unaware of it, so I passed it on to them with a note.

Regards Nick Evans Senior Trading Standards Officer/ Petroleum Licensing Officer Bristol

The last few months have been very busy compiling the 2010 Yearbook and this issue of the Bulletin.

Arrangements are also well under way too for APEA 2009, details of which can be found below and in this issue of the Bulletin on page 39. It looks to be a very exciting event at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.

2010 Yearbook

Thanks to all of you that returned your Registration forms for the 2010 Yearbook and also those of you who booked advertising, the artwork is now at the printers and the Yearbooks will be distributed on 1st October.

If you have not received your copy by the end of October please let me know and I will chase up your delivery. We will be sending all Yearbooks by Royal Mail recorded delivery and by courier so that we can follow up any non deliveries.

2009 AGM, Conference, Exhibition and Awards Dinner

Following the success of APEA 2008 we will be repeating the format for APEA 2009 but at a new venue in Coventry.

It brings together equipment suppliers, service providers, oil companies, independent retailers, supermarkets and regulators for a day of conference debate, new technology and product display, networking and industry recognition.

APEA 2009 takes place on 15th October at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry.

The event takes place in a dedicated conference and function centre, boasting top class facilities.

Anyone wishing to book for the Conference, Exhibition or Awards Dinner should contact Annabel Daley on +44 20 8222 8837 or email annabel@downstream-events.com

If you would like to enter any of the awards please contact me for an entry form at admin@apea.org.uk, please specify which award you wish to enter so that the appropriate form can be emailed to you. Details about the awards can be found on page 40.

I will be managing the AGM part of the event and information and nomination forms will be posted to all members with the September issue of the Bulletin.

Thank you to all of you that have contributed to this issue of The Bulletin.

Please send me any news items, press releases or articles for the September 2009 issue and I will pass them onto our Editor for approval.

We are always pleased to receive contributions from our members and it ensures that the Bulletin remains an interesting and informative read.

Bulletin Advertising

Thanks to all of you that renewed your advertising for the 2009 issues of the Bulletin and thanks to new advertisers too.

Remember that if you book in all four issues you receive a 25% discount and we are able to offer discounts for those of you that wish to book for more than one issue but less than four issues too.

The advertising rates remain unchanged for 2009 and are listed on our website on the ‘Publications’ page at www.apea.org.uk

If you would like to book advertising in the Bulletin for 2009, please call me on 0845 603 5507 or email me at admin@apea.org.uk for a booking form.

Publications

The Blue Book is available at the discounted rate of £40 to APEA members.

If you wish to purchase a copy please contact me on 0845 603 5507 and I will be able to provide you with details on obtaining a copy.

We also publish the Code of Practice for Ground floor, multi storey and underground car parks. This can be purchased and downloaded directly from the APEAwebsite at www.apea.org.uk.

APEAMembers £10.00 plus p+p Non APEAMembers £20.00 plus p+p

Training

Thanks to all of you that have booked on the APEA training courses, the last few months have been busy with bookings.

The 2009 dates are detailed on page 62 of this issue of the Bulletin and are also on the APEAwebsite at www.apea.org.uk where you can book online or download a booking form.

I am arranging bespoke courses for various companies which enables members to receive training at a discounted rate and at a time and location suitable to them.

If you are interested in hosting a bespoke course for your company please do not hesitate to contact me.

We can offer discounted rates for these courses if you are able to provide a venue and catering.

Thanks go out to all our trainers who often travel long distances to provide their valuable services.

You can book online from the Training page on the APEAwebsite or you can download a booking form from our website training page, just click on the course you are interested in and the course details and form are displayed or please contact me by email or by phone and I can email you a copy.

New Members

There have been 48 new members joining during January, February and March and details can be found on pages 9 and 10.

Website

The website continues to be a useful site for information and to make online bookings and payments. I am glad so many of you are using it.

If you wish to contribute anything to the site please feel free to log on and go to the APEAResource Centre where you can submit your article for approval.

There is a ‘Help’ pull down menu if you need some assistance. If you need any assistance please do not hesitate to contact me.

You can also use the website to change your contact details, just logon and you will be able to access your record. If you cannot remember your logon details please contact me.

General Assistance

Finally if any of you need any assistance with general or technical matters, please do not hesitate to contact me on 0845 603 5507 and I will endeavour to help.

Detailed below are new members that have recently joined the APEA during January, February and March.

January

Peter Emery Anchor Safet 19 Adonis Close Tamworth Staffordshire B79 8TY

Stuart Whatley AECOM Environment Marlborough House Upper Marlborough Road St. Albans Hertfordshire AL1 3UT

Lee Papper TLM Group Ltd Unit 8 Wyndmere Park Ashwell Road Steeple Morden Hertfordshire SG8 0NZ

Raymond Renucci Co-operative Group 7 Robert Owen House 87 Bath Street Glasgow G2 2EE

Russell Fowler Rocklodge The Hollow Washington Pulborough West Sussex RH20 3DA

Jake Ramphal Bedfordshire County Council Trading Standards Service 4th Floor County Hall Cauldwell Street Bedford Bedfordshire MK42 9AP

Robin Carter Merebrook Consulting Argosy House 161a - 163a High StreetOrpington Kent BR6 0LW Charles Bacon 3 Whiting House Greenway Lydd Kent TN299HE

Gary Wemyss Gary Wemyss (Scotland) 20 George Street Kincardine Fife FK10 4NR

Mark Swindells Geo2 Remediation Ltd Units 6 and 7 Ferrybridge Workspace Pontefract Road Ferrybridge WF11 8PL

Jason Taggart Taggart Design 133a Coolreaghs Road Cookstown Tyrone BT80 9QD

Roger Wilton R Wilton Associates Ltd 54 Beech Road Horsham Surrey RH12 4TU

Gary Treadwell 148 Barrells Down Road Bishops Stortford Herts CM23 2SZ

Freddie Boniface Bovis Lend Lease 3rd Floor, Witan Gate House 500 - 600 Witan Gate Central Milton Keynes Milton Keynes Bucks MK9 1ES

Alan Pierce Styles and Wood Aspect House Manchester Road Altrincham Cheshire WA14 5PG

APEA tel/fax 0845 603 5507

Kieran MC Sorley K Decorators and Maintenance services 27 Adelaide Ave Coleraine BT521LT

Peter Sheekey Niall Montgomery and Partners Architects 33 Rock Road Williamstown Blackrock Dublin Ireland

Rachael Harris Plymouth City Council Safety, Health and Licensing Public Protection Service Environmental Services, Floor 6 Civic Centre Plymouth Devon PL1 2AA

Dan Preece Plymouth City Council Safety, Health and Licensing Public Protection Service Environmental Services Floor 6, Civic Centre Plymouth Devon PL1 2AA

David Bourne Bostik Ltd Common Road Stafford Staffordshire, ST16 3EH

Tracy Heath Southampton City Council Southbrook Rise 4 - 8 Millbrook Road Southampton Hampshire, SO15 1YG

James Craig PetroTechnik Australia 21 Aristoc Road Glen Waverley 3150 Australia

Gabriel Manley Manley Construction Ltd Main Street Duleek Meath Ireland