Palpitations, sweaty palms, a sudden pounding in your head – it can mean only one thing: the threat of an impending visit from a regulator.
The recent <a ll undertake a review of your insurance programme to give you peace of mind against unexpected regulation inspections – 01603 218000 or email [email protected].
The Norwich Puppet Theatre’s home is the lovely converted mediaeval church on St James place.
You may have visited as a child, taken your own children or grandchildren…or maybe you drive by on your way to work but it’s been home to a family of puppets, and a wonderful team for over 30 years.
They are a busy company, producing a range of new shows for families and children which play in Norwich before touring the UK and internationally. What is clear from our evening with the Trustees, volunteers and our members is their dedication to championing this special art form.
Our evening was to run alongside the launch of their Passport to Puppetry Project. We are so happy to support this amazing project which aims to help young people and their families who live in financially restricted households or difficult circumstances.
Guests joined us in the warm and welcoming theatre, with many of the puppet residents on view, and enjoyed a scrumptious buffet whilst chatting with guests and trustees.
After the tour, we made our way to the stage where we heard from Ian Woods who gave a us fantastic talk on the history of the puppets, and an insight into the behind-the-scenes life of the theatre.
It was a fantastic evening, and the perfect surroundings to see the magic that children will enjoy and experience for themselves with the Passport to Puppetry project.
If you feel you, or your company are interested in this project please contact Nic Hopkins on 01603 615564
On January 14 2020 Microsoft switched off support for Windows 7. This means there are no longer software updates, security updates or technical support for any issues you encounter. This leaves your Windows 7 PC, and your business vulnerable. If you are still running Windows 7 on your business PC, you have a greater risk of viruses and malware.
At Breakwater IT, we recommend upgrading to Windows 10 as soon as possible. With Windows 10 you get built-in, ongoing security protection, increased efficiency with a faster, better connected PC and upgraded preferences to give you a unique work style. Whilst you can make the switch to Windows 10 on your older device, it is recommended to upgrade your PC as those originally built with Windows 7 are running 10-year old technology. Ageing PCs should be replaced with their newer, faster, more lightweight and powerful equivalents. A new PC will enable you to take full advantage of the latest capabilities a modern operating system such as Windows 10 has to offer. Microsoft have provided some handy tools and tips to aid you in the transition to Windows 10:Tudor Lodge Consultants are working with Alex James London, a photography business specialising in Fashion Editorial, Fashion Commercial, Portraits and also Moving Image. With our team of SEO professionals, Tudor Lodge Consultants have been helping to promote the online visibility of Alex James London by improving their site’s rankings on Google.
Improving Google’s ranking of a site can be done through a range of different SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) tactics. We have implemented a range of these different tactics to improve Alex James London’s position on the search engine’s rankings, including the following:
One of the many ways in which we help to optimise a site is to conduct a site clean-up, also known as fixing up the site. In this process, our team ensure that all meta-titles and meta-descriptions have been fully optimised with the correct keywords for the site. The keywords for the site were discussed with the clients, and have been fully integrated throughout to ensure effective optimisation.
Keywords are integrated into a site for optimisation through, as previously discussed, meta-titles and descriptions, as well as via the internal links between pages in the site. In addition to this, we ensure that pages include internal links, and that all of these internal links are working and load as smoothly as possible through fixing response codes.
We have also ensured that the image-alt text for all media in the Alex James London website is fully optimised. By conducting a site clean-up, Tudor Lodge Consultants has helped to make this client’s site easier for Google to crawl, thereby helping to bump up its position in the search engine’s rankings.
Whilst conducting this optimisation, we have also had to ensure that the images and overall design of the site maintains its stunning artistic feel.
To strengthen the Alex James domain, we have looked for link opportunities across other business, arts, photography and news site. Every link back to the site is like a recommendation in Google eyes and we use a combination of links to the homepage (hyperlinking the brand name) and exact words like ‘fashion photographer’ to create a good balance and maximise the site’s authority for Google search results.
The England and Wales Court of Protection has recently set out guidelines for persons appointed as Attorneys under a Lasting Powers of Attorney (‘LPA’) to use when deciding whether they can spend the donor’s funds for the benefit of other parties.
These guidelines have been presented by the Court of Protection in the form of a decision tree, setting out the thinking process to be followed in the day-to-day context of a lay person acting as Attorney, making arrangements for management of the funds and contemplating whether they can use the donor’s funds to benefit someone else.
Dawn Parkes, Private Client Specialist and Hatch Brenner Managing Partner commented: “The decision tree produced by the Court of Protection will form a very useful tool for Attorneys who may be considering the correct actions concerning gifting. It is often assumed by Attorneys that they cannot benefit themselves or give away donor money, but there are exceptions to this. If the donor has habitually given funds to charity, or passed on monetary gifts to family members, friends or the Attorney themselves, perhaps at Christmas, it is acceptable for the appointed Attorneys to continue to use the donor’s funds to benefit someone other than the donor, providing there are enough funds available.”
Click here to read more information about Powers of Attorney and to find the decision tree as a downloadable pdf file.
For any queries relating to Lasting Powers of Attorney, or gifting, please contact Hatch Brenner Managing Partner Dawn Parkes on 01603 660 811 or at [email protected]
For more information, please view an article on the STEP website: https://www.step.org/news/england-and-wales-court-protection-sets-out-rules-valid-gifts-third-parties
The Norfolk Chambers Transport and Infrastructure Group met on Monday 13 January and top of the agenda was the importance of a more sustainable future, which means taking the right steps towards taking better care of our planet.
Group member, Ryan Coles who is the Group Travel & Fleet Manager for Aviva, presented to the group on Aviva’s plans for a more sustainable future.
Sustainability means taking measures to reduce waste, energy and carbon footprints. Ryan advised that making small changes such as removing plastic cups and cutlery from all offices and ensuring staff and visitors use reusable cups, has had a hugely positive impact on the business in terms of reducing an estimated 50 tonnes of waste and all companies need to make changes to ensure they are becoming a more sustainable business and individual, in and outside of work.
The group discussed Electric vehicles (EV’s) and the importance of moving towards this form of transport, however, it was noted that there is a major lack of charging points within East Anglia which poses a risk to the future of EV’s becoming the preferred car choice for many.
Sustainability is something the regions needs to take action on and with this in mind, the Norfolk Chambers along with Norwich City Council have formed a group called ‘Norwich Business Climate Leaders’. The purpose of its important first meeting will be to better understand both the challenge and mandate from the group’s sponsor, Norwich City Council and take action in supporting the city’s businesses with the significant task of becoming carbon neutral.
The next Planning and Development Group Meeting will be held on the 14 April at the Chambers premises and Network Rail will present on what rail infrastructure improvements are being done locally.
Trading Standards has received details of Coronavirus (COVID19) related community scams. We will continue to issue alerts through our email service and social media channels of any scams or information we receive so this can be shared within communities.
To see our recent alerts and subscribe to our emails visit www.norfolk.gov.uk/scams
To find us on Facebook visit www.facebook.com/norfolktradingstandards
To like us on Twitter visit www.twitter.com/NorfolkCCTS
You can report scams you receive to us, via our partners, the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on freephone 0808 223 1133 or through their online reporting form.
We are also recommending that everyone completes the quick and simple Friends Against Scams online training. This allows everyone to better understand and spot scams, and recognise when people are being scammed in our communities.
You can find out more and access the training at www.norfolk.gov.uk/friendsagainstscams and become more scam aware.
The Making Tax Digital deadline for the June VAT return is fast approaching – if you are not already signed up and registered you need to act fast. There is currently a potential delay between people signing up to MTD and being able to then submit their MTD return. Once you sign up to file your MTD VAT return you need to wait for a message from HMRC with confirmation that you’ve been signed up, this will also include your VAT number. Normally this message will be received in 72 hours, however on some occasions this is taking up to 6 days to come through, and until the message is received the return cannot be submitted. The returns are due by 7 August, so if you have not yet done this, please do make sure you act now. If you have any questions or concerns please do contact us.
In an ever more competitive employment market, employers are looking closer at the overall benefits they offer, beyond just salary. This can be made up of several things including; healthcare cover, income protection and life insurance. These additional benefits can be a big factor when recruiting new staff and can also help with retaining existing employees. One of the most cost effective benefits for an employer to provide is often life insurance, specifically a Relevant Life Plan. A Relevant Life Plan is a term assurance plan available to employers, to provide an individual death in service benefit for an employee (including directors). It’s designed to pay a lump sum if the person covered dies or is diagnosed with a terminal illness, whilst they are employed during the term of the policy. A Relevant Life Plan is paid for by the employer. The key point is that there has to be an employment relationship for the plan to be available. Therefore the plan would not be available for partners in a partnership or sole traders. On death of the life insured the benefits are paid into a Trust, meaning the proceeds are paid free of Inheritance Tax. It is important that the Trust is set up correctly as there can be big consequences on both the premiums being paid in and more importantly when the benefits are paid out. For employers the premiums are usually allowable as a business expense meaning the business gets tax relief on the premiums paid. This makes the premiums very cost effective. Several providers also offer an additional valuable benefit. The life insured will have access to a network of medical practitioners who can answer any questions that they may have. So when faced with a medical problem, they’ll have all the information that they need to help them make the right decisions for their treatment and recovery. Lovewell Blake Financial Planning Limited can assist with all forms of group and business protection, including shareholder protection and loan cover. Should you wish to discuss this further please contact us.
Thursday, 16 April 2020
When someone dies, their estate will still be liable for income tax and capital gains tax during the estate ‘administration period.’ This is the period during which the personal representatives apply for probate, collect in the deceased’s assets and pay their liabilities.
Estates are divided into two categories: complex estates and non-complex estates.
What are complex and non-complex estates?
Complex estates are where:
Non-complex estates are where none of the above criteria are met.
If the estate falls into the complex category, self-assessment tax returns will be required annually by 31 January each year in line with the usual self-assessment deadlines.
Informal payment arrangements
The personal representatives (PRs) of non-complex estates do not need to file formal tax returns. Informal payment arrangements can be used. The PRs simply provide HMRC a calculation of the amount of tax due at the end of the administration period and HMRC will issue a payment slip and reference number, which is to be used to make a one-off payment of the total tax due.
Need help?
If you need professional advice or assistance on probate or post-death tax matters, please speak to Ian Webster or Cindy Chaplin or or email [email protected]. You can find contact details on the Our People section of the MHA Larking Gowen website.
We are accredited by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales to provide probate services.
Ian Webster
Wednesday, 01 April 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused great unrest through the global economy and caused radical fluctuations in the value of business and other assets. Many taxpayers will own assets which have fallen in value, such as stocks and shares, and are now wondering how to react, if at all. Although this is primarily a personal financial matter, the tax consequences could be an important factor in this decision.
Do you own failed investments of negligible value?
During the period in which you’ve owned assets that have become worth ‘next to nothing’, you may be able to make a ‘negligible value claim’ to HMRC, which allows you to realise a loss on the assets, which can be offset against other gains made in the year to reduce your capital gains tax liability.
Have you realised capital gains in the 2019/20 tax year?
If you’ve realised gains in this tax year such that you will pay capital gains tax, it may be possible to mitigate this tax charge or eliminate it entirely by making further capital disposals in the tax year (before 6 April 2020) that will make a loss. Although selling assets at a loss is not inherently attractive, there may be some appeal in avoiding a charge to capital gains tax.
Any actions taken in this regard should be taken on a commercial basis, and we encourage anybody making significant decisions about their personal financial situation to take advice from a suitably qualified investment adviser or independent financial adviser.
If you have any queries, or would like to discuss your personal tax situation, please get in touch with your usual MHA Larking Gowen contact in the first instance or at [email protected].
You can find contact details on the Our People section of the MHA Larking Gowen website.
Cindy Chaplin
During this unprecedented time, whether your business is temporarily closed, has had a change in services or are looking for Coronavirus related signage, Signs Express is here to help. We’ve worked with the NHS for over 30-years as an approved supplier, and with over 65 centres throughout the UK and Ireland, are here to assist with any emergency or temporary signage you may need.
Encouraging social distancing in businesses that remain operational is of the utmost importance, with personalised floor graphics such as 2-metre-long arrows, footprints and other graphics being a great, cost-effective solution. All the while looking professional, incorporating your brand and, most importantly, supporting the wellbeing of your customers.
From NHS approved messaging to bespoke artwork, we can supply a range of solutions including banners, labels & stickers, vehicle graphics, notices, branded crowd barriers, digital signs and Health & Safety signage available for installation or supply only.
Please stay safe and take great care of yourselves and your loved ones. We are in this together and we will get through this together.