PCG newsletter 29/02: September 30, 2002: New domain name

In this issue:

1. New domain name
2. Route35 online
3. Conference
4. Lime-IT
5. Telesales campaign
6. RLM

1. New Domain Name
The PCG has aquired the domain name http://www.pcg.org.uk. This will, in the near future, become the URL of the PCG website as it is easier to remember and easier to guess for newcomers to the organisation. In the meantime it has been redirected to the existing domain name https://www.pcgroup.org.uk

2. Route35 online
Route35 is now available online.

We are very pleased to announce that PCG's unique Route35 cover can now be purchased online. Route35 offers PCG members an unrivalled opportunity to make sure that they receive top-flight professional support when the PAYE auditors come calling. They also know that they will have professional support to fight any challenge to their IR35 status as far as the Special or General Commissioners if necessary.

If you want to find out more about this exciting product and join the many PCG members who have already purchased it then visit http://www.pcgroute35.org.uk with your credit card.

3. Conference
This years AGM and Annual Conference will take place on 9th November 2002 at Wokefield Park near Reading.

We have launched a new conference website especially for this event where you can look through the agenda, get the latest details and book your place online. Please visit http://www.pcgconference.org.uk for more information. Alternatively you can complete the booking form on the flyer sent to many of you this week.

The annual conference is a fantastic opportunity to meet your colleagues, discuss the latest developments in the contracting community and learn about ways to enhance your business. An exciting program has been prepared with a number of high quality speakers to be announced shortly. Attendees will also have the opportunity to promote their businesses to all the delegates so if you have a second business stream that you want to promote this is your opportunity!

http://www.pcgconference.org.uk will be updated with information as it becomes available, so check the site regularly for the latest details of the speakers, fun events and activities for partners being organised.

4. Lime-IT - latest
Lisa Fernley�s case will be heard at the Special Commissioners in London on the 2nd of October 2002 and she will be represented by PCG Associates Accountax. PCG have a longstanding agreement to fund this stage of the case and you therefore have an interest in the outcome. The hearing takes place in a very small room and there is no 'public gallery', so please don�t think about turning up and gatecrashing.

We have arranged for Simon Juden to observe on behalf of PCG. Anyone who followed his remarkable eye witness accounts of our Judicial Review, will appreciate that this is probably better than being there in person. Immediately following the hearing both Lisa and her Accountax representatives will make themselves available for questioning (and drinks). Venue is the Jack Horner Pub, Tottenham Court Road and the corner of Bedford Street, London. Meeting Time 5.00pm on October 2nd.

5. PCG embarks on a telesales campaign
There are many good reasons to be a member of PCG today and we believe that they will be attractive to those who once thought otherwise and let their memberships drift.

Following the publication of Contracting Matters, PCG is about to embark on a targeted telesales campaign intended to attract back those members whose early enthusiasm waned. The campaign will be conducted by experienced professionals, but we are not forgetting the importance of the personal touch, so PCG Chairman Jane Akshar will be very closely involved throughout.

Jane will be taking a particular interest in the reasons that the respondents give for letting their membership lapse as well as monitoring the success of the campaign. You can expect regular reports in our forum

6. Real Life Meetings
PCG members hold local meetings to socialise, to network and to discuss PCG issues. These meetings are open to everybody, and new members are welcome to come along.

Farnborough
The next Farnborough meeting is planned for Wednesday 9 October.

West Midlands
The next meeting will be on Wednesday 9 October at Rose and Crown at Junction 3 of the M42. at 7:30pm. Formal hour will start at 8pm. The Agenda for this meeting will include: the Annual Conference; Update on the Lime IT case; Progress on FTV campaign.

Manchester
The next Manchester meeting is planned for Friday 11 October at Wetherspoons, Piccadilly Gardens, starting 7pm.

Details of this and other Real Life Meetings in the forum:
https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/threads/wwwthreads.pl?a=l&f=meet

To promote your local meeting 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.

Issued on behalf of:
Professional Contractors Group

This newsletter is published by the Professional Contractors Group.
Please feel free to circulate the newsletter to other independent contractors who may be interested in joining the PCG. Members are also encouraged to share the latest news and analysis with interested agents, clients and accountants.

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;
https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/members/discussion_forum.html