PCG Newsletter - 12th September, 2001 - 29/01 Client Briefing

In this issue:

• Client Briefing Document
  
• PCG AGM & Conference
  
• Paper: Flat Rate VAT
  
• JR Appeal Press coverage
  
• Oil & Gas - Offshore 2001 Conference
  
• Regional - Do you do business around Peterborough?
  
• Members Resolutions Regional - Real Life Meetings

Client Briefing Document

Version 1 of PCG's client briefing document is now available:

USING CONTRACTORS -
Employment Law implications for clients

This paper has been written with assistance of Anne Redston from Ernst & Young and is the first in a series of planned information papers aimed at clients.

The aim of the paper is to provide client businesses with information regarding recent employment tribunals and how clients are affected by the introduction of IR35. We know that some clients have been unable (or even unwilling) to change. However, recently PCG has had contact with representatives from several client companies (and some agencies) who have been looking for advice on B2B contracts in order to reduce the risk of claims for employment rights. The paper concentrates on the issues from a client's point of view and suggests the need for clients to establish B2B contracts.

We firmly believe that PCG's role at this stage is one of "information provider" and that by working jointly with bodies who are better placed to influence clients, we will make progress. Therefore at this stage the paper is 'educational' in style and content. Over time we expect to add more supporting evidence, news and analysis of case law developments etc into this public area of the site, so that clients can use PCG as a resource and take positive action.

Members are invited to pass the client pages URL to their client contacts.
https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/clients

See also
https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=Notice-355&p;=0&v;=c&s;=5

PCG Conference

We are already taking first bookings for PCG’s 2001 AGM & Conference to be held in York, on 13th October. This is your opportunity to get involved in YOUR organisation.

Last year’s inaugural Conference in Birmingham was a great success with Sir John Harvey Jones as the keynote speaker and around 200 members attending. This year we want a bigger and better event!

We have a full and exciting programme consisting of 4 split sessions and a number of guest speakers:

- AGM, PCG & The Way Forward
- Dealing with Hector & Mrs Doyle with Dave Smith (Accountax), Anne Redston (E&Y;) & an Employment Law specialist
- Marketing Yourself - Peter Harrington (Marketing consultant), Ann Swain (ATSCO), Kevin Miller
- Keynote Speech - Prof. Richard Scase - one of the UK's leading professional facilitators and an authoritative business forecaster of scenarios for this century
- After Dinner Speaker - Gyles Brandreth ex MP and TV Personality
- Dinner & Dance

With so much going on at PCG at the moment, the Conference is a great opportunity to get together for a real life meeting and discussion. You can be sure that PCG will move forward based on the events in York.

We have also organised something for the partners so that you can make real weekend of it. York is a beautiful city with plenty to see and do. See https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/members/conference2001/tourism.html

For more information on the conference please see https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/members/conference2001/index.html

PCG Paper - Flat Rate VAT

PCG’s response to the Flat Rate VAT proposals aimed at small business has been sent to HM Customs & Excise: https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/members/resources/CustomsExcise-VATflatrate.pdf

JR Appeal Press coverage

Following our announcement of the JR Appeal we received press coverage from the main media, including The Times, The Guardian, Accountancy Magazine and online (silicon.com etc) Jane Akshar, PCG chair was interviewed on radio 5 live. See sample press cuttings board and Press forums:

https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/press_cutt.html
https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/threads/wwwthreads.pl?a=l&f;=press&v;=c&s;=5&p;=8

"Offshore 2001" Oil & Gas Conference

A delegation from PCG including David Ramsden and members of the Aberdeen Working Party (AWP) attended the recent Offshore 2001 exhibition in Aberdeen. Some excellent contacts were made at this leading industry show – our representatives spoke to James May, Director General and others from UKOOA, the local press and Lord Monighan, former energy minister as well as other MPs.
https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=lobby-24477&p;=1&v;=c&s;=5
https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=lobby-24484&p;=1&v;=c&s;=5

Regional - Do you do business around Peterborough?

Do you do business in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire or Lincolnshire? If so you will want to consider sharing a stand with fellow PCG Members at the Business Focus Exhibition to be held in Peterborough on October 17th.

Billed as the Business Event of the Year it is being advertised in local press and radio as well as regional marketing through fliers and guides. If you are an engineer you will be particularly welcome, to show the breadth of services that members of the PCG can offer.

More details including cost can be found on the PCG Forums
https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=Commercial-4876&p;=0&v;=c&s;=5 or email Ian at [email protected]

Members' resolutions

There is a members' forum on the site where members can post their own resolutions and seek support. Current 'live' resolutions can be viewed at: https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/threads/wwwthreads.pl?a=l&f;=28

PCG is still reliant on contributions from members to fund the legal challenge. Members who wish to contribute to the fund should go to: https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/members/legal/legalpledge.html

REGIONAL NEWS

Real Life Meetings
For the latest information and to start a local group see https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/threads/wwwthreads.pl?a=l&f;=meet

To promote your local meet through the newsletter - email [email protected] with REGIONS in the subject matter, details of the event and a name and email contact point/or phone number for further information.

Thames Valley
The Thames Valley group now follows a rotating schedule: 1st Tuesday of each month

Basingstoke
2nd Wednesday of each month

Farnborough
3rd Thursday of each month
The Ship,

Milton Keynes
Tuesday 18th September, 2001
The Olde Barne
(behind the Garden Centre in the City Centre, South Side 7.30pm – 9.30pm

Glos/Wilts/Worcs
Wednesday 19th September, 2001 Golden Heart, Nettleton from 8.00pm

Newcastle upon Tyne
Wednesday 19th September, 2001
The next meeting will be in the Carriage pub
(Archbold Terrace - 2 minutes from Jesmond Metro station) at 8pm

Herts - Old Welwyn
Thursday 20th September Rose & Crown in Old Welwyn

East End and City CLC
Wednesday 26th September Dirty Dicks, Bishopsgate, opposite Liverpool Street Station followed by a curry on Brick Lane Contact James Herd -

Please follow this link to Real Life meetings to get involved
https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/threads/wwwthreads.pl?a=l&f;=meet

Susie Hughes
(Head of Executive Services)

This newsletter is published by the Professional Contractors Group. Please feel free to circulate the newsletter to other independent contractors who you know, and who may be interested in joining the PCG. Some links in the newsletter will take you into the password-protected members' area of the PCG website. If you have forgotten your password, contact https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/scripts/public/access/form.pl

To view the Forum links in this newsletter, you must be first logged into the Forum. Further details available at https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/members/discussion_forum.html