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)
Disclaimer - caveat emptor - PCG carries only very limited
advertising from known and reputable Affiliates, even so publication
of any advertisement carries no implicit or explicit endorsement
by PCG!
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