ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP SURVEY

Several hundred members have already responded to PCG's annual survey, providing valuable feedback and information to PCG's newly-elected board and Consultative Council, who are in the throes of devising strategic and operational plans for the coming year.

Those members who have not yet done so are requested to participate in this survey, which is anonymous and should take only ten minutes or so to complete. It includes several free text response options, giving members the chance to express their views.

"PCG is at the heart of the freelance community, " said chairman Simon Juden, "and for us to be able to support and nurture our members and offer them commercial and peer support, we must understand their concerns and needs and listen to their opinions. We hope that every PCG member will take the time to share his or her views with us."

NEW GUIDE TO FREELANCING AVAILABLE ON WEBSITE

The third edition of PCG's Guide to Freelancing is available free of charge to members and non-members alike as a PDF download from PCG’s website.

The guide has been updated extensively to include:

• An overview of limited liability partnerships (LLPs)
• Details of the new VAT flat rate scheme
• An explanation of the 19% dividend tax announced in the 2004 Budget
• Advice about marketing yourself and networking
• A section on working from home, and business rates for home offices
• Updated personal finance and taxation sections with new rates and allowances
• Clarification about dispensations and allowable expenses

PCG TAKING STAND AT SUNDAY TIMES EVENT

PCG will be exhibiting at the Small Business Week event on Tuesday 8 and Wednesday 9 June 2004. The venue will be the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, Broad Sanctuary, London SW1P 3EE, and the show will be open from 09:00 to 17:00 on both days.

PCG also has a limited number of VIP invitations to the show which will be allocated to the first 40 members who call Mandie Bell on 0845 125 98 99 requesting them. Each VIP invitation entitles two people to complimentary admission to the event, entry to unlimited sessions within Under the Spotlight, Women Mean Business, Money Money Money, The Greenhouse and Back to School, as well as entry into the Open House, workshops and The Engine Room and various hospitality invitations.

ENQUIRY INTO UK EMPLOYMENT REGULATION

The Trade and Industry Select Committee is to undertake an enquiry into UK employment regulation, including freelancing. It will consider the contribution that labour market flexibility makes to the UK economy, and whether the current degree of flexibility is appropriate or desirable, and if not, what measures the Government should take.

Evidence must be submitted by 18 June 2004, and PCG will be making a contribution.

DATA PROTECTION SCAM

Several members have reported receiving letters from an organisation purporting to be the Data Protection Enforcement Agency. The letter gives final notice that one's business has still not submitted notification to the Information Commissioner in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998, stating that failure to register is a criminal offence and that conviction carries a maximum fine of £5,000. It then requests that one completes and returns the form with a fee of £135.

PCG's advice to anyone receiving such a letter is to report it to the Office of Fair Trading, section CRE1D, which is responsible for handling misleading claims. Mike Lambourne is the Section Head and can be contacted on 020 7211 8568.

The Information Commissioner's Office lists some of the bogus agencies on its website.

Notification under the Data Protection Act can be made directly to the Information Commissioner for an annual fee of just £35. The website has information about whether you need to notify or whether you are exempt from notification.

SQL FOCUS GROUP

Any SQL developers (any flavour) interested in participating in a focus group on Tuesday 25 May at 18:00 in London to discuss the state of the market should please send an email to Simon Juden.

STANDING ORDER PAYMENTS

If you pay your annual membership fee by standing order, please contact your bank in good time before the expiry date to change the amount to £141 (including VAT) for single membership, and to £211.50 (including VAT) for companies with more than one fee earner.

TOP PICK OF COMMERCIAL FORUM PROJECT POSTINGS

Independent process engineer - Aberdeen
Independent senior grade process engineer for a Hazop required during July and August. See commercial forum.

MSI application packagers - London
Senior application re-packagers required for site near Liverpool Street station. No agency involvement. See commercial forum and website.

REAL LIFE MEETINGS

Farnborough - Monday 24 May 2004 19:00
Prince of Wales pub, see map for location.
Forum discussion.
Contact: wasADB (Andrew Banks)

Stevenage - Tuesday 25 May 2004 20:00
Standing Orders, a Wetherspoon pub in Stevenage Old Town.
Forum discussion.
Contact: BrianS (Brian Shield)

AICS London - Tuesday 25 May 2004 19:00
IT and e-Commerce Law. Guest speaker Simon Halberstam of Sprecher Grier Halberstam LLP, who will discuss the considerations and obligations of contracting over the internet and the use of IT and e-Commerce templates to support B2B agreements.
Forum discussion.
Contact: ashmele (John Ashmele)

York - Friday 4 June 2004 19:00
Suggestions for a suitable venue in the centre of York near the rail station invited.
Forum discussion.
Contact: helmsman (Keith Hogben)

Edinburgh - Wednesday 9 June 2004 18:00
Bert's Bar in William Street, Edinburgh.
Forum discussion.
Contact: john_ferguson (John Ferguson)

North Kent - Monday 14 June 2004 19:30
Meet outside TGI Fridays, Bluewater Shopping Centre, Kent (off A2)
Forum discussion.
Contact: Fat32Stone (Matt Hanchett)

Disclaimer - caveat emptor - PCG carries very limited advertising only from known and reputable Affiliates and complementary organisations. Even so, publication of any advertisement carries no implicit or explicit endorsement by PCG.

Professional Contractors Group Limited
Lakeside House, 1 Furzeground Way
Stockley Park East
Uxbridge
UB11 1BD

Telephone: +44 (0845) 125 9899
Fax: +44 (020) 8622 3200

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