News


BASIS Professional Register year ends on May 31st


New playing fields guidance from Sport England


Sport England has updated its guidance on playing fields planning applications, with the aim of further protecting the public spaces


BASIS Professional Register members are being reminded that there are just a few weeks left until the end of the points year


According to BASIS Professional Registers and accounts manager, Michele Williams, members must collect a specified number of BASIS Continued Professional Development (CPD) points by May 31st to maintain their Professional Register status.


“There are numerous ways in which BASIS members can top‐up their points before the deadline, including visiting exhibitions, conferences, trial sites and technical seminars,” she said.


“A maximum of eight points per year can also be collected from reading a wide range of technical industry publications and newsletters, including the Pitchcare magazine.”


The number of points an individual member must accrue depends on their qualification and category of membership. For example:


• Certificate in Crop Protection (agriculture, vegetables or horticulture) ‐ 40 points


• Certificate in Crop Protection (agriculture, vegetables or horticulture) with FACTS Certificate ‐ 50 points


• FACTS Certificate only ‐ 20 points


• Certificate in Crop Protection (amenity horticulture) ‐ 20 points


• Certificate in Crop Protection 8 I PC APRIL/MAY 2018


(amenity horticulture) with FACTS Certificate ‐ 30 points


“We’ve currently got 5,591 members, with over 200,000 CPD points to be collected during the year, and encouragingly, over three quarters of these have already been allocated. But there are still plenty of opportunities to meet your quota before the end of May,” she added.


Stephen Jacob, BASIS CEO, reiterates the importance of CPD, explaining that it is essential for agronomists and advisers to stay ahead of the curve in rapidly developing industries.


“Over the past few years, we’ve seen agronomy step up a gear, and with the uncertainty around Brexit, and tightening regulations, this is expected to continue,” he said.


“New technology, restrictions and stewardship guidelines are being introduced all the time, so it’s essential that those providing advice remain up‐to‐date, and collecting BASIS CPD points will help to do so. This will allow consultants to deliver the latest information.”


Members can access their training record on the BASIS website, or via the BASIS app at www.basis- app.co.uk, to find out how many more points they need to collect.


Sport England has announced the first major update to its ‘playing fields guidance’ since it was first published in 1997, when planning authorities were made to consult Sport England on applications which affect playing field land.


“By providing clearer and more detailed advice, the updated guidance will help applicants, local planning authorities and other parties understand our role and how we assess applications, along with the information we require,” said Sport England’s property director Charles Johnston.


Sport England’s policy is to object to applications unless they meet one of five specific exceptions ‐ such as the proposals improving the use of a playing field, or a replacement playing field land being provided as part of the plans.


The new version of the guidance, published in March, has updated the wording and details for the five


BASIS Points for Pitchcare Magazine


*BASIS awards two CPD points for ‘paid for’ subscribers to the hard copy version of Pitchcare magazine, due to the “diverse range of content that relates to the control, management and use of pesticides”.


Subscribers can now obtain a further two valuable CPD points for their Professional register, simply by paying for a subscription to the ‘hard copy’ version of the Pitchcare magazine.


Anyone wishing to claim their points should email their full name, BASIS membership number, date of birth and postcode to editor@pitchcare.com.


*BASIS is an independent standards setting and auditing organisation for the pesticide, fertiliser and allied industries.


objections, bringing them “in line with modern planning practices”.


Additional detail has also been provided on consulting Sport England, including highlighting the importance of early engagement and the information Sport England recommends is provided to enable it to adequately assess an application.


Johnston added: “Where necessary, we’ll object to applications, but we would much prefer to work collaboratively with applicants from the outset to look for opportunities to protect and enhance provision that make the process smoother, swifter and produces better results for everyone.”


To view the updated guidance, visit the Sport England website.


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