Message from the Branch Chairman - Justin Abbott

Pulling together a programme for the region has been a challenge, a good programme has to reflect the diverse interests of our members as well as picking up on contemporary issues and policy developments.  There will a number of national and international milestones over the next 12 months that will continue to shape the environment within which water and environment professionals operate which are reflected in the final programme.  These include:

• The Copenhagen Climate Change Summit
• Publication of the Final River Basin management Plans
• Start of a new AMP cycle
• Progression of the Flood and Water Management Bill

There is no one "theme" that can cover such a varied programme, however there are two strands that I was keen to include within the programme.

Sustainability: looking at encouraging professionals to think broadly about our influence through an exchange of ideas with other professions.  We are therefore planning two events, one in Sheffield and one in Leeds, which will examine the role of water within the city in discussion with architects, urban planners and others.

Climate change: looking at mitigation, but with a stronger emphasis on adaptation and resilience, which is the topic of our Autumn seminar.

Other key events for the session are:

• The New members Seminar on the Energy Shortfall
• Our Annual Seminar in York.

Building on the success of last year we want to continue with expanding the programme in the North East and will again hold a number of events in the Sheffield area.  Although nothing has been finalised prior to publication we also are planning to hold an evening event in York.

We will be expanding our activities with universities to engage with the water and environmental professionals of the future.  At the same time we will be looking to engage more effectively with our younger members, and we have the beginnings of a core of young members that are keen to get involved.  Finally we want to strengthen our links with other professions and will be looking to jointly host a number of events during the year.

The Branch web site is updated throughout the year.  If you would like to receive periodic email updates on forthcoming meetings and special events, it is important that your email address is registered with us.

It promises to be a busy year.  I hope that the programme includes something of interest to each of our members and that the branch committee and I will be able to welcome you all to as many events as possible.

Justin Abbott
Chairman Tyne and Humber Branch