Chairman's Statement

Chairman's report to the 2006 AGM

The AGS continued to be active on behalf of Members in 2005. Activities included:- AGS Format Conference (Motor cycle museum in the autumn Format committee) Participation in the Government organised Task Force to address issues SGV’s and CLEA (Contaminate Land Working Group) Publication: Management of Risk Associated with the Preparation of Ground Reports and Guidelines for the Preparation of the Ground Report. (Initial copies supplied free to all Members) Newsletters (3) Active liaison with ASFE, SAGTA, BURA, BDA, BGA, Ground Forum, FPS, (and others) The issue of 6 Loss Prevention Alerts giving valuable and relevant advice (valuable legal points) A PowerPoint presentation (with notes) for training purposes on the selection of laboratory tests

Additionally, the AGS is represented and/or contributes to industry bodies and committees:

• The Construction Industry Council (CIC)
• The accreditation of Specialists in Land Condition Records (SILC)
• BSI Committees responsible for Soil Testing and Soil Quality
• BSI Committees responsible for Geotechnics
• Environment Agency Committee for the extension of MCERTS to soil laboratory testing
• The Site Investigation Steering Group (SISG)

The AGS in 2006

In addition to the continuation of most of the above activities, initiatives planned for 2006 include:-

• Publication of AGS Data on the Benchmarking of SI projects (we have 64 reports we would like 100)
• Update of SISG Part 3 – Specification for Site Investigation (the Yellow Book) 
• Discussions with UKELA (the UK Environmental Lawyers Association) on suitable terms for the appointment of Contaminated Land Consultants
• Client information cards on PI Insurance and Laboratory Testing
• Update of Safety Manual
• New Chapter in Safety Manual for Laboratories
• Update of contamination testing section of the AGS Guide to the Selection of Laboratory Tests
• Monitoring of proposals to establish a register of Geotechnical Specialists
• Issue of new Toolkit Papers
• Newsletters 
• Loss Prevention Alerts
• Revised Good Practice Guidelines for Site Investigation 
• Client Guide to Desk Studies (by Easter)

Subscriptions

Subscriptions have been held at the same rate as 2005.

Subscriptions paid before the end of February attracted a rebate of 10%. (To be repaid by cheque; not deducted from your payment.) It is hoped that this will encourage early payment and reduce the amount of time spent chasing up unpaid invoices.