ISO9001 SCHEME FOR PCG MEMBERS GETS THE GREEN LIGHT

It has been decided to proceed with PCG's ISO9001 certification scheme for members, and the requisite number of volunteer beta testers has already been reached.

Subject to the outcome of the beta testing, it is anticipated that production roll-out will begin in December 2004, with all those who have already signed up for the scheme being given the opportunity to enrol fully by the end of the first quarter of 2005.

Please note that the Founders' Scheme will close at noon this Friday 15 October 2004, after which all successful applicants will be enrolled on the standard programme. See the website for further information about the scheme.

USETECH'S IR35 APPEAL FAILS

PCG learnt on Friday that Bill Hood, whose company is Usetech Limited, had lost his IR35 appeal against the Inland Revenue in the High Court.

Bill started his business as an oil rig designer in 1996, abandoning it last year after suffering a severe heart attack. The first hearing of his case, by the Special Commissioners, took place in the living room of his Gateshead home, rather than in a courtroom. He did not attend the High Court appeal in London. His case has been supported throughout by PCG’s legal fund.

Simon Juden said, “Once again we witness the lottery of running a small business. In this case, Bill had negotiated his contract for services with the agency, but for reasons of commercial confidentiality, had not seen the ‘upper contract’ between the agency and the end client - a quite normal state of affairs. The size of his tax bill was found to be dependent on a document that he had neither signed nor seen. This surely offends common sense.”

PCG CHAIRMAN NOMINATED FOR AWARD

PCG chairman Simon Juden has been nominated for the Accountancy Age Personality of the Year award. One of just six on the 2004 shortlist, Simon is the only finalist representing the freelance community.

Visitors are invited to register their votes via the website, and one lucky voter will win a magnum of champagne. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Accountancy Age Awards, which will be presented at a ceremony in London on Wednesday 10 November 2004.

FRESH APPEAL FOR LEGAL FUNDS

Following the decision in the Arctic case, PCG last week launched a fresh appeal for funds to support legal cases on behalf of its members, including any appeal on Arctic.

Please send cheques payable to "Professional Contractors Group Ltd" (or just "PCG Ltd") to Legal Department, Professional Contractors Group Limited, Lakeside House, 1 Furzeground Way, Stockley Park East, Uxbridge, UB11 1BD.

If you would prefer to pay by BACS, the sort code is 207929 and account number 20675350. Please include your username or membership number as a reference.

All moneys raised will be used by PCG at its sole discretion to support legal cases on behalf of its members. Please note that donations are not refundable in any event.

For further information, please see the thread in the Legal and Accounting forum.

PCG would like to thank all those who have already responded to the appeal by remitting their donations.

NEW OFFICE ADDRESS FOR PCG

PCG's administration team will be moving offices during the last weekend of October. From 1 November 2004 the address and contact details will be:

Professional Contractors Group Ltd
Sovereign Court
635 Sipson Road
West Drayton
UB7 0JE

Tel: 0845 125 9899
Fax: 0845 644 4105

COMMERCIAL FORUM PROJECT POSTINGS

For information about the latest job, project, contract and work opportunities, see PCG's Commercial forum, and Members' Commercial forum. The Commercial forum may be accessed by Affiliate members, and PCG welcomes postings by agencies.

This week's postings include:

Mobile antenna designer

Embedded C++ specialist - East London

Service desk analysts - Yorkshire

VB.NET specialist - Newport, Wales

REAL LIFE MEETINGS

Local real life meetings - known on the forums as "RLMs" - encourage members to socialise, network and discuss PCG issues. These meetings are open to all members, and in many cases non-members are welcome to come along too.

Edinburgh: - Jolly Judge Pub, off Lawnmarket, Edinburgh - Tuesday 12 October 2004 18:30

Thames Valley: The Vine, Maidenhead - Wednesday 13 October 2004 20:00
Simon Juden will be presenting about the recent verdict in the Arctic Systems case and S660A in general. This is an excellent opportunity to hear the thoughts of the PCG's foremost expert on this subject and to ask him your questions.

Kent / Essex: Bluewater, near Greenhithe, Kent - Monday 18 October 2004 19:30

South Wales: The Coldra, Cardiff Gate - Wednesday 20 October 2004 18:30

Taunton: The Anchor at Hillfarrance, near Taunton - Thursday 28 October 2004 19:30

Sheffield: - Old Queen's Head opposite main railway station, Sheffield - Wednesday 1 December 2004 19:30

Various members have also posted in the RLM forum about potential meetings in Basel, Norwich and Shropshire. If you would like to attend RLMs in any of these areas, please register your interest by posting to the relevant thread.

OTHER EVENTS

The Motivation for Change - Glasgow, Tuesday 12 October 2004 18:30

The West of Scotland branch of the Institute for Quality Assurance in association with the Chartered Management Institute presents a special event to be held in Glasgow, called The Motivation for Change, a talk given by Jack Black of Mindstore (UK) Ltd. Attendance is free, but please pre-register by email to [email protected]. Venue: Room 3.25,The John Anderson Building, Strathclyde University, 107 Rottenrow East, Glasgow G4 0NG.

AICS AGM and Conference - London, Saturday 27 November 2004
The Association of Independent Computer Specialists (AICS) will be holding its AGM and Conference at The East India Club, St. James', London on Saturday 27 November. The conference should be of particular interest to both ICT and non-ICT people.

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.

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Fax: +44 (020) 8622 3200

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