This will be the last routine newsletter for 2003. The next routine edition will be published the first week of January, but there will be a "bumper" special edition of our highlights etc before 31 Dec 03.

Invitation to tender for a PCG Project

PCG has a requirement for a document management system to be developed and delivered during Q2 2004. Applications are invited from consultancies that can demonstrate proven skills in developing systems with similar characteristics. Given the scope of the requirement we welcome tenders from new or longstanding freelancer collaborative ventures. Members will be able to obtain further details of this requirement from the announcement on our forum Noticeboard

http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=Notice-617

IR591: What do we know about it?

Unfortunately the answer is "not very much". The Government has announced no details on this measure other than as contained in the pre-budget statement:-

"The Government will therefore bring forward specific proposals for action in Budget 2004, to ensure that the right amount of tax is paid by owner managers of small incorporated businesses on the profits extracted from their company, and so protect the benefits of low tax rates for the majority of small businesses."

However speculation is rife and so the PCG has taken a look at the most common version of this speculation on its news website. http://www.pcg.org.uk/LatestNews/10084.html

PCG takes the initiative with new web site dedicated to IR591

Following the Government's announcement on 10 Dec 03 of "specific proposals ... to ensure that the right amount of tax is paid by owner managers of small incorporated businesses on the profits extracted from their company," PCG has developed a new web site dedicated to the issue. The new web site is at http://www.ir591.org.uk.

The proposed measures were outlined in paragraph 5.91 of the Pre-Budget Report 2003, in a chapter entitled "Building a Fairer Society", hence the coining of the term "IR591" for the time being.

PCG aims to be at the forefront of the impending consultation on IR591, representing the freelance small business community. It has seized the initiative by registering a new domain name and developing a web site designed to be the focal point for information, advice, activity and discussion on IR591 within the freelance small business community.

We welcome the participation of other groups in this initiative, if you represent such a group and share our concerns then please email [email protected] to register your interest.
S660 - Write to the Minister

Following exchanges in the House of Commons regarding the Revenue's recent re-interpretation of the settlements legislation (S660), the PCG is inviting members to write to the DTI minister with responsibility for small businesses, to explain how their own business is set up and why it is set up that way. More details may be found at:

http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?Board=general&Number=101072.

PCG-ATSCo Contract

Members are reminded that whenever they contract through an agency which is a member of ATSCo, they may ask to use the PCG-ATSCo contract. This contract has been passed as "a robust defence against IR35". Take-up of this new industry standard is increasing, and PCG strongly recommends its members to ask for it each time they start a new contract with an ATSCo agency.

There are also some cases where individual recruiters may not be familiar with the contract, or say that they want to use their existing contract instead. We would especially like to hear from any members who have experiences like this; while we don't as a rule intervene in individual cases, sometimes we can help, and the more information we have on any commonly-occurring objections, the better we can focus on overcoming them through ATSCo or even with the agency concerned.

The PCG-ATSCo contract is a major part of our legal contracts strategy for members which is posted at http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=Contracts-6461

Office Hours over the Christmas/New Year Period

The PCG offices in Uxbridge will be closed from 5pm 23 Dec 03 until 9am on 5 Jan 04. However, emails to [email protected] will be checked and dealt with daily and there will be a contact mobile tel no left on the answer phone for any urgent queries.

Legal Helpline

The legal helpline support will be closed on the Christmas and New Year public holidays, On Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, the hours will be 8am - 2pm. Normal office hours will be in force aside from the above.

Tax Helpline

The tax helpline will be closed on the Christmas and New Year public holidays. On Christmas Eve it will be manned until 1pm. Normal office hours will be in force aside from the above.

Charity Donation

Instead of sending Christmas cards this year, PCG has decided to make a donation to Breakthrough Breast Cancer, a charity committed to fighting breast cancer through research and awareness. For more information about Breakthrough, see http://www.breakthrough.org.uk/. To all our members, affiliates, partners and suppliers, we send seasonal greeting and best wishes for a peaceful, happy and successful 2004!

CSI Insolvency

Rumours abound following the insolvency of the agency Chamberlain Scott (CSI). We are concerned that this insolvency and the apparent restructuring that took place immediately afterwards may expose contractors to financial risk. If you are a PCG member currently contracted to Chamberlain Scott, CSI, Chamberlain Scott (UK) or any other derivative of this multi-national agency you may like contact [email protected] so that we can ensure that we are able to communicate any news as we receive it.

Real Life Meetings

Glasgow Chapter Christmas Do?
I'm in Glasgow at the moment and fancy a night of drunken debauchery in the usual flesh pots. Anyone else?
Forum Discussion:
http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=meet-6925
Contact: jah (James Herd)

Farnborough and environs
Anyone in (or around) the Farnborough area fancy a bevvy sometime?
There used to be quite a good gathering in Farnborough/Basingstoke/Guildford but over the past couple of years this seems to have died out - and/or moved to Maidenhead
Forum Discussion:
http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=meet-6931
Contact: wasADB (Andrew Banks)

Edinburgh 13th January 2004
Hi All
Bert's Bar in Williams Street in Edinburgh has confirmed the booking of the Snug Bar for the 18:00 on the 13th January 2004.
So assuming we've all sobered up in time to get there, this is where we can get a refill.
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year when it comes.
Forum Discussion:
http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=meet-6917
Contact: john_ferguson (John Ferguson)

28 January "Getting to the Decision Makers" AICS, London
Wednesday 28th January 2004, 7pm
National Liberal Club, 1 Whitehall Place, London SW1
Getting to the Decision Makers
Guest Speaker - David Festenstein, Teleopen Limited
David Festenstein will give an overview of his approach in the light of the types of challenges experienced by independent contractors in getting to the "decision-makers". He will also give some useful tools and techniques to make your feel more comfortable about using the phone as a whole.
Members £12.50+vat Guests & Visitors £17.50+vat to include finger-buffet, wine and great networking opportunity. NB Gentlemen - the dress code at the NLC is jacket and tie. Please book your place(s) early by e-mailing [email protected] for further information about the AICS please visit www.aics.org.uk
Forum Discussion:
http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=meet-6915
Contact: ashmele (John Ashmele)

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