Category: Business News

TAX simplification measures, a commitment to raise the investment allowance and a vital review of business rates, will help small businesses, according to the Thames Valley regional Chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

Reacting to the Budget announcement this afternoon, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has welcomed measures that it believes should support: “…already robust confidence” among its members. David Hawes, Thames Valley regional Chairman, Federation of Small Businesses, said:

“Our members will be encouraged by many of today’s announcements. The review into business rates is long overdue. When complete, it must deliver tangible benefits to businesses and not end up as just another report that sits on the shelf.  His (the Chancellor’s) commitment to raise the Annual Investment Allowance to an appropriate level will provide the certainty needed for businesses to plan and invest – something badly needed if the UK is to raise its productivity.

“We are especially pleased that the idea for a single digital tax account is being taken forward. This is something we have long advocated – featuring prominently in our 2015 Business Manifesto. Implemented properly, this should reduce the time businesses take to complete their tax returns, and offers opportunities to deliver targeted support. The abolition of Class Two National Insurance contributions for the self employed is also a welcome step.

“There were some helpful measures to help with getting connected. The extension of the superfast connection vouchers will help small businesses in more urban areas. We look forward to reviewing the details of the new digital communications infrastructure strategy. Access to superfast services is a key requirement for small businesses. Delivery of this strategy will be critical to future-proofing the national economy.”

Commenting on specific areas detailed in the Budget, David Hawes continued:

Tax simplification

“Collecting and calculating all of the varied and confusing taxes that apply to small firms is a huge administrative burden. The new single tax accounts called for by the FSB should make a big difference, helping firms to manage their tax on a monthly basis much like utility payments. This will streamline collection and greatly improve cash flow control for small businesses. To help incentivise firms to move to the new system, we have suggested that HMT could offer interest on the money they hold.

“While we wait to see the details, the decision to abolish class 2 NICS for the self-employed is in principle a welcome step towards simplification and should boost take home pay for the self-employed on the lowest incomes.”

Investment

“We have been clear that the Annual Investment Allowance needs to be set permanently at a generous level to give investors certainty and stability. The Chancellor has made a clear commitment to a keeping the allowance at a high level. We now hold the next Government to making this move permanent.”

Business Rates

“The case for overhauling business rates is overwhelming and it’s good to see the Government recognise this.  Small businesses would like to see the ambitious review deliver tangible reform, not just empty words.

“Business rates are the highest costs most small businesses face after rent and staff wages, and they place an excessive burden on small businesses. The Government is rightly supporting businesses with small business rates relief and transitional rates relief. This support must continue until a new system is in place in the next Parliament.

“We also welcome the opportunity for local authorities to benefit from the growth and success of local businesses by retaining additional business rates revenue raised locally. This should encourage local authorities to take steps to support their local businesses to grow and prosper.”

Broadband

“Digital connectivity is critical for small businesses. The announcement of a target download speed of 100 Mbps matches our recommendations. Of equal importance is the increase of the Universal Service Obligation to 5 Mbps which is an important first step to help rural businesses access the minimum standards of digital services they so urgently require.

“We called for the Government to recognise the value that LEPs can contribute to ensuring small businesses receive the digital services they require. We look forward to working with all levels of Government to ensure that this ambitious and much needed strategy is delivered.”

The northern powerhouse

“Improving connectivity across our northern cities is a major issue for our membership. We are fully supportive of improved East to West connectivity, but as always what is needed is delivery for these infrastructure projects. The publication of the Transport Strategy for the North will provide more details about how regional connectivity can be improved.

“Strong road and rail infrastructure are necessary for regions outside of London and the South East to access markets and make the most of growth opportunities. Small businesses are disproportionately reliant on our road network so continued investment in keeping the different parts of the UK connected is essential.”

Tech Clusters

“Support for emerging clusters is welcome, as they are crucial in driving growth. The investment in specialised tech hubs in Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield will help support growing, innovative industries and to rebalance the economy.”

Fuel duty

“Continuing to freeze fuel duty will be welcomed by small firms still struggling with the cost of fuel at the pump.”

Beer and cider duty

“The cut to the price of a pint will help publicans across the country. We look forward to this cut being followed by reforms to the tie which will lead to a more competitive market. The freedom to stock a wider range of beers will provide a boost to local economies while giving consumers greater choice.”

R&D Tax Credits

“R&D Tax Credits are an important way of incentivising business R&D investment, but as we have consistently argued, many smaller businesses simply find them too difficult to claim. The announcement of well-publicised, stand-alone guidance, backed by advance assurance of claims which we have strongly advocated, should make it much easier for small businesses to apply and drive further investment by innovative companies.”

Swansea bay Tidal Lagoon

“We support the plans for the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon as we believe it will bring significant economic benefits. We have met with the company behind the proposed scheme and underlined the importance of local supply chains to the project, providing opportunities for skilled jobs and business growth.”

SOURCE: FSB Thames Valley Press Release

THIS month’s The Late Breakfast meeting tomorrow, March 19, will include a talk from Bob Wilson of Business Training Services, entitled ‘Improving your selling skills’.

Bob’s interactive session will clarify that sales these days is not about ‘The gift of the gab’ or pressurising customers into buying from you.

If you have any burning issues about your sales processes, you are invited to bring them with you on the day, or even email Bob before the event via btscourses@aol.com

The Late Breakfast meeting is from 9am – 10.30am at The Spread Eagle Hotel, Thame, in the AJR Room at the rear of the Restaurant.

THAME Barns Centre will quite literally becoming alight to celebrate like never before, as it plays host the town’s first ever fire walk to mark International Women’s Day.

Multi award-winning local business woman, and founder of WISH Women, Lottie Moore, will be leading both women and men over hot coals as a way of marking International Women’s Day on Sunday, March 8,

March, a day that is celebrated around the globe, focusing on women’s achievements while raising awareness for the need for a global call for equality.

Lottie has arranged a spectacular day for women, with world-class speakers, and exhibits from local women in business, before the men are invited in for the final seminar and the Fire Walk finale.

Lottie, who has walked over 100 fires in one evening, explained: “There are lots of reasons for people to fire walk, whether it be to build their self-confidence, motivate change, gain focus, or breakthrough fear, but with the theme of this year’s Women’s Day being Make It Happen, it seemed the perfect way to close the event.”

The event will also be supporting the Haddenham-based Christian charity, The Dignity & Hope Foundation Cambodia, that partners with groups in Cambodia, including those working with women and children who have experienced trafficking.

Lottie continued: “I know that the day will bring incredible opportunities for those who attend, as well as the huge challenge they will face when preparing to walk the fire. Fire walking is usually a really scary thing for individuals to face, but the huge sense of elation and achievement that you experience after the walk makes it all worthwhile. To face fear head on and step through it is an amazing experience – I think everybody should have the chance to fire walk at some point in their life.”

Lottie launched WISH Women three years ago to provide a space where all women could come together to recognise their unique qualities and strengths, and she hopes that Fire Walk event in Thame will inspire all those involved to ‘start living their lives with renewed positivity, passion, and purpose’.

Having previously led groups of women to the rooftop of North Africa for International Women’s Day, Lottie sets out to put on a truly unique event each year, ‘to celebrate all that women can achieve, and enable them to look beyond their personal limitations, to allow them to recognise the global impact they can have when they step out of their comfort zones with a fresh challenge’.

www.wishwomen.org.uk
www.wishwomen.org.uk/flame

THE next Late Breakfast, business networking event, will be held on Thursday, February 19, at The Spread Eagle Hotel in Thame.

David O’Dell from I’MMedia Creative will be the speaker for this month. Full details: LINK

A new report by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), backed by the Institute of Chartered Accountants for England and Wales (ICAEW), urges Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) to change to the way they offer business support, to better help drive small business growth.

The report recognises the role played by LEPs in facilitating well-targeted business support, and its importance to the national economy in delivering future growth. However, it also highlighted areas of weakness that LEPs should address in order to strengthen the system.

FRAGMENTED AND UNCO-ORDINATED

The FSB has said in a statement today that, based on evidence provided by the respected Enterprise Research Centre (ERC), the report reveals that current support is often ineffective, holding back the growth prospects of businesses in the English regions. A number of significant issues are cited as causing problems, notably the fragmented nature of the offer, with too many schemes in place without enough critical mass to make an effective contribution, and lack of co-ordination between various schemes.

The report argues that Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), working alongside newly formed ‘Growth Hubs’, are ideally placed to make improvements to the business support in their areas, and thereby boost growth. Their unique strategic position allows them to understand their local economies and the needs of their business communities.

MORE FOCUS AND MONITORING

The FSB is therefore calling on LEPs to provide much needed co-ordination and leadership, and provide much greater focus to the offer in their area, including regular monitoring of the effectiveness of schemes. As part of their upcoming reviews of business support, LEPs should therefore seek to follow the recommendations set out in the report, each of which is based on a sound evidence base and the expert insights of the ERC as to what works best.

David Hawes, Thames Valley regional Chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “This report highlights the great potential of LEPs to energise small firms in England – but only if the right steps are taken to improve the design and delivery of business support. This could be achieved by cutting duplication, better co-ordination of support at the local level, and robustly evaluating schemes on their effectiveness. The FSB therefore calls for LEPs to work with newly formed ‘Growth Hubs’, and make improvements to local business support an absolute priority.

“Ninety nine per cent of all UK firms are small businesses, so growing those firms through better business support can make a real difference to the ­­Thames Valley economy, helping in the rebalancing of growth outside London and the South East. Growth currently compares well with other G7 countries, but the economy lags noticeably in key areas such as our exporting performance and labour productivity.

“There is no ‘magic bullet’ solution that will work across the country, because every locality including ­the Thames Valley has unique needs that individual LEPs must satisfy. But a long-term approach based on proper evaluation of initiatives, co-ordinating plans nationally and focusing on fewer, more targeted initiatives will all work to raise business performance.”

THE search is on again for the best new and restored buildings in the Chilterns.

The annual Chilterns Buildings Design Awards competition is seeking entries from home-owners, architects and developers who are proud of what they have built in the Chilterns. The Awards are offered by the Chilterns Conservation Board and the Chiltern Society, two organisations dedicated to safeguarding what’s best in the Chilterns, one of the most outstanding areas of countryside in England, and to encouraging high standards for new development.

Last year one of the award winners was a new barn at Lower Farm in Britwell Salome near Wallingford.

Colin White, Planning Officer at the Conservation Board, said: “We want to encourage better building design, and to encourage architects and developers to use traditional, local materials and designs in their work. We are not trying to turn back the clock, but we do believe that new buildings in the Chilterns should fit in with the beautiful countryside that’s around them.”

It isn’t just new houses that are eligible for consideration. Industrial and public buildings are also eligible, as are restorations and conversions of existing buildings.

The closing date for entries or nominations is March 1, 2015. Application forms and further information are available from the Conservation Board office (01844 355500), email: office@chilternsaonb.org) or from the Chiltern Society, White Hill Centre, Chesham (tel: 01494 771250, email office@chilternsociety.org.uk).

THAME’S independent Travel business owner, Bryony Hordern, has retired after fifty years in the travel industry, and has sold the business, Tickets Anywhere, to Spear Travels.

Bryony set up Tickets Anywhere 33 years ago, and by handing the business on, will make it the tenth in Spear Travel’s portfolio.

All four staff at the Greyhound Walk shop are being retained by the new ownership and the shop has been rebranded as Spear Travels.

KUBOTA UK is outsourcing its parts warehousing, distribution and logistics to Unipart under a five-year deal.

According to a report in The Construction Index, Kubota has said that getting parts support from Unipart would help it to ‘ramp up sales and free up space’ at its Thame headquarters in Oxfordshire.

Managing director Dave Roberts is reported to have said: “In order to continue to deliver exceptional service levels, we evaluated potential distribution partners, and it quickly became apparent that Unipart’s extensive expertise in managing supply chain solutions was second to none.

“This, together with the close proximity of Unipart’s distribution centre in Cowley to our Thame HQ, made them the ideal partner. The creation of this new distribution operation will support the significant investment we have put in place in order to grow our product range and increase our market share.”

SOURCE: Theconstuctionindex.co.uk

A new initiative aimed at encouraging tourism providers across the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) to become ‘landscape ambassadors’ launches today.

Developed as part of “Our Land” (www.our-land.co.uk) – a sustainable tourism initiative celebrating the UK’s Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and National Parks – this new fun quiz is designed to equip those working in tourism with sound knowledge of the special features of the Chilterns.

The free online quiz (http://knowour-land.co.uk) takes the form of themed multiple-choice questions that test the knowledge of tourism providers about the Chilterns AONB. It can be used by anyone working in the industry – from hoteliers and attractions, through to cycle hire companies and visitor information staff. The general public are also welcome to have a go.

A wide range of topics are covered, including wildlife, historic buildings, landscape features, famous people, accompanied by some stunning images. After successful completion, participants can print out and display their own ‘Landscape Ambassador for the Chilterns’ certificate.

There are 126 businesses across the Chilterns, including nearly 50 in south Oxfordshire, who are signed up with Our Land and who are committed to ensuring visitors have an excellent experience and a positive interaction with all aspects of their local landscape – from the food they eat, to the people they meet; and from the buildings they visit, to the history and heritage they learn about. They are also signed up to support a more sustainable tourism industry through a variety of activities, including supporting local suppliers and producers, encouraging use of public transport, and contributing to wildlife conservation.

Claire Forrest, Information and Interpretation Officer, Chilterns Conservation Board said: “Here in the Chilterns we offer visitors special places to stay and things to do in a cherished and beautiful landscape. The Landscape Ambassador Training initiative will help tourism providers tell the story of their landscape, this will make people’s visit even more special, real and memorable.”

In addition to the Chilterns AONB, the new landscape ambassador training initiative is available across eight other protected landscapes: Cotswolds AONB; High Weald AONB; Isle of Wight AONB; Kent Downs AONB; New Forest National Park; Surrey Hills AONB; and South Downs National Park.

Any tourism business wishing to find out more about Our Land and the new training initiative should contact Claire Forrest on 01844 355521 or email: cforrest@chilternsaonb.org