Live Debate - "What the PCG stands for"

As part of the ISO 9001 certification process, the PCG is has produced concise policy documentation. It is our intention to validate that policy with the membership between now and the PCG Annual Conference. The PCG Policy is currently defined as -
"The PCG is the representative body for freelancers campaigning on issues that matter to freelancers, owned and run by its membership for the benefit of members on a not-for-profit basis."- and there are a number of separate objectives which provide greater insight. We are taking a new structured approach to these special debates and they will be discussed on our forums according to a published schedule.

Members will find the detailed policy and the schedule at:
http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=PCGbusiness-18978
and the special debate rules at:
http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=PCGbusiness-18977

Please take part; this is a real chance to positively influence your organisation.

Recruit a Member Campaign - Reminder

PCG members - please don't forget to send an email message to your freelancing colleagues letting them know about the benefits of PCG membership. There's even an sample email to which you can add your own message, if you like. Every valid referral will qualify for an entry in the prize draw, and £10 off your membership fee, subject to terms and conditions. Help us swell the ranks and give freelancing the profile it deserves!

Training Survey

PCG's training and development survey was sent to members on Wednesday 20 August. Within just 24 hours, 650 people had already completed the survey. Thank you very much.

If you haven't already completed the survey, you can access it at:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/Users/77511829/Surveys/73118255203/45F975B7-CC87-40BD-B4D3-AF2FF4AF9571.asp?U=73118255203

It should take only a few minutes of your time.

Responses to these surveys are extremely important to the PCG in terms of understanding its membership and having real information to present to the Government and other relevant bodies in its lobbying activities. This survey has been set up not to track respondents' identities in any way, so please be assured that your anonymity will be respected. The closing date for the survey is 31 August 2003.

PCG Conference - 4 Oct 03

The Conference Programme should be finalised within the next fortnight. Keep watching http://www.pcgconference.org.uk.

Freelancing Matters - Issue 1 available on PCG web site

Freelancing Matters - Issue 1 is now also available on the PCG web site as a downloadable PDF. Members can access it at:
http://www.pcg.org.uk/members/resources/FreelancingMatters1.pdf
and non-members can access it at:
http://www.pcg.org.uk/capture.php?filename=FreelancingMatters1.pdf

Please be aware that the file is over 4Mbytes in size, and so it may take some time to download if your connection is slow. Also, the lower resolution means that it is not suitable for high-quality printing. If you require additional printed copies, please contact Mandie on 0845 125 9899 or email [email protected] Apologies for the links not working in the last newsletter edition!

Compelling Reasons to Purchase or Renew Route 35

Substantial price improvements have been negotiated which will benefit members purchasing or renewing Route35 cover. The annual cost for Route35 depends on the number of employees the business (including the PCG member) has at the time that the member buys Route35. The new tariff is

• Up to 3 employees = reduced by 20% to just £80 (including IPT)
• Between 4 to 6 employees = reduced to £105 (including IPT)
• Between 7 to 10 employees = reduced to £130 (including IPT)
• More than 10 employees = price on application

Route35 has been converted to provide fully insured cover, making Route35 a much stronger product financially. The changed status of Route35 means that VAT no longer applies and is not charged. However, IPT (not reclaimable) is applicable but is included in the prices quoted above.

Route35 is a scheme which guarantees expert advice and support throughout the whole process of an IR35 investigation and uniquely includes expert professional support throughout a PAYE compliance enquiry.

Route35 includes the option to hold the compliance visit at the offices of Qdos Consulting, with an IR35 expert present throughout, thus guaranteeing the very best support and advice at this crucial stage.

With the increasing prevalence of PAYE compliance investigations and the improvements described above, the case for buying or renewing Route35 has never been more compelling.

For more information, visit http://www.pcgroute35.org.uk/.

Offshore Europe - Exhibition

PCG will be at Stand 1475 from 2nd - 5th September 2003. If you are there, pop along and say hello to Richard Robson and the rest of the crew.

Real Life Meetings

Any meetings in Chester area?
There is some interest in the area to start a Chester Chapter?
Forum Discussion: http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=meet-6414
Contact: BrianS (Brian Shield)

Dates for Diaries, up and coming events:
Glos/Wilts Summer Supper Bash has been changed to August 29th.
Susie has provisionally booked the room for our summer supper bash for Friday August 29th at Golden Heart, Nettleton, near Cheltenham.
Approximate Cost £8.00 head, all wives, partners, kids, newcomers welcome.
Contact: Haigh (Susie Haigh)

Next Oxford area meet set for Abingdon, nr Oxford, 17 Sep, Ock Mill, 7.30pm
They had seven people at the August meeting, and all seemed keen to try another month or two to see how things go. Open to non-PCG members (2 came along last night), and to agree some topics to discuss before hand. Any suggestions for next month?
Forum Discussion:
http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=meet-6450
Contact: sgreen (Sarah Green)

Kingston - 16 Sep 03, 7.30pm

Any takers for a drinking networking session at the Hogshead, in the market square, Kingston? Sounds like a plan, yeah? Register your interest here, dear readers.
http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=meet-6508&p=0&v=c&s=5
Be there or be square.
Contact: MsAngry (Colette Mason)

Thames Valley RLM

Suggest that the next RLM for the Maidenhead area is on Wednesday 10 September at The Vine (20 Market St) in Maidenhead, starting at 8pm.

After the success of the last meeting (Dave Smith and Matt Boddington from Accountax attended) it has been suggested by some people that we open proceedings with a formal hour before adopting the usual informal nature of evening. What sort of subjects would people like to see discussed in the formal sessions? Is anyone prepared to give a short discussion on an IT/Freelancing related subject and then drive a Q and A session afterwards?
http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=meet-6470&p=0&v=c&s=5