The LTOA Executive Committee elections currently taking place

On 24 May 2016 a list of nominations was issued to full members who have 28 days to decide whether they want to endorse and ratify the list of potential Executive Committee members. In order for the elections to be valid we need a minimum of 51% of the full membership to participate; it is therefore really important that you get involved as a full member of the LTOA.

The current Executive Committee members who are seeking re-election are:

Jake Tibbetts (LB Islington)

Richard Edwards (LB Croydon)

Dave Lofthouse (LB Merton)

Gary Meadowcroft (LB Southwark)

Barbara Milne (City of Westminster)

John Parker (Transport for London)

Oliver Stutter (LB Southwark)

Andy Tipping (LB Barnet)

Lawrence Usherwood (LB Brent)

Colleen O’Sullivan (LB Camden)

There are two new candidates seeking election:

Clare Pappalardo (LB Haringey)

Craig Ruddick (LB Richmond)

John Parker and Barbara Milne have been nominated by the Executive Committee as Chair and Vice Chair respectively, and if re-elected to the Executive Committee will be confirmed in those positions.

If all the committee are endorsed and ratified by the full membership we will have a full complement of executive committee members according to the constitution which is 12 people.

Biosecurity - preventing the spread of harmful organisms

Human activity is a key factor in the spread of tree pests and diseases.

By undertaking basic biosecurity day to day, and minimising the amount of soil, water and plant material we carry between sites, we can reduce the spread of pests and diseases and give control measures more of a chance to succeed.

Download the Biosecurity Poster Here

Booking Opens for National Tree Officers Conference 2016

Booking has opened for the 2016 National Tree Officers Conference, which takes place on 9 November in Telford. This is the first event organised by the London Tree Officers Association (LTOA), the Municipal Tree Officers Association (MTOA), and facilitated by the Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF). The conference offers a unique knowledge-sharing forum on all areas of local authority arboricultural work.

A top-class programme of arboricultural and urban forestry speakers will cover topics including:

• Canopy cover targets in planning policy
• Council tree contract models
• Tree health threats, including Acute Oak Decline
• Community engagement and volunteer management
• The future of local authority tree services

This event is an invaluable occasion for tree officers to learn from their colleagues on the latest research, best practice and innovation in this sector. John Parker, Chair of the LTOA, commented:

“Tree officers all over the UK are doing similar jobs and facing similar challenges, whether working in the north or the south of the country or in urban or rural environments. The first National Tree Officers Conference will provide a fantastic platform for tree officers everywhere to get together to discuss best practice and share experience and ideas whilst enjoying a great programme of talks relating to arboriculture and the urban forest. In the current political climate I believe it is more important than ever for us as an industry to communicate and collaborate, to support each other and work more closely, and to build stronger connections across the UK and internationally. This conference will give us the perfect opportunity to do so, and the LTOA is delighted to be working on the event with our colleagues in the MTOA and ICF.”

Russell Horsey MICFor, Development Director at the Institute of Chartered Foresters said:

“ICF is excited to be working in partnership with the MTOA and LTOA on what we hope will be the first of many conferences aimed at helping local authority officers. The Institute recognises the continued downward push on budgets and staffing within local authorities and the strain this is putting on teams working with trees and within the natural environment sector. This first conference has been designed to look at practical examples of how some local authorities are addressing these challenges, and we hope that attendees will be able to take ideas presented for use in their day to day work. We also hope that the day will act as a focal point for officers to network and problem-share with colleagues and hopefully find easy answers to help.”

Matthew Seabrook, MTOA Chairman, further discussed the significance of the event, in light of current issues facing tree officers:

“The MTOA are proud to support and jointly represent this inaugural conference which is predominantly aimed towards tree officers and urban foresters. In times of austerity and budget cuts we look to share ideas and explore opportunities to deliver a service that is within our respective budgets and retains our legally defensible positions.

“We hope to raise awareness, provoke thought and discussion to highlight the problems we all currently face - where do we go from here and how do we get there? It is hoped that this will be the first of many conferences of its kind and we look forward to support and attendance at what will be an eye opening and encouraging day.”

This event is kindly sponsored by Barcham Trees, Buxtons Ltd, Ezytreev, GreenBlue Urban and KBI UK. Booking information is available at:

London based charity, Parks for London, has today launched its new name, strapline and logo

Formerly the London Parks & Green Spaces Forum, which was set up as a charity in 2013, Parks for London will continue to provide the leading strategic and representative voice for its supporters and the green space sector in London.

The charity is dedicated to promoting and enhancing London’s parks and green spaces; working with the people that own, manage, maintain and use them to keep them thriving, accessible, safe and beautiful.

The rebrand comes in light of a decision by trustees to simplify what the charity stands for in a bold and eye-catching way. The new logo and strapline act to further complement the aims of the charity going forward.

Tony Leach, Chief Executive of Parks for London said “At Parks for London we believe that life conditions can be improved through the provision of safe, accessible and stimulating parks and green spaces. Safeguarding our parks and green spaces sets out our ultimate ambitions to ensure that these precious resources are protected now and in the future.

Whilst the name of the charity has changed, Parks for London’s aims remain the same; advising and informing supporters of developments in the sector, advocating and protecting the existing parks and green spaces now and in the future, and celebrating and promoting the diversity of green infrastructure across London.

Sue Ireland, Chairman of the Trustees said: “This is an exciting time for Parks for London. Parks and green spaces across London are facing increasing pressures with funding cuts, and demand for housing. This gives us the opportunity to work with our supporters to find innovative solutions to help secure the future of our parks and green spaces, and work with the private sector to support their ambitions for new green spaces in new developments across London.”