vision for business - april 2008 - brentwood · also in this issue of vision for business, ......

Designed and produced by Brentwood Borough CouncilTown HallIngrave RoadBrentwood Essex CM15 8AYwww.brentwood.gov.ukVision for Business is produced

quarterly. The next edition will

be July 2008.

Contributions and

advertisements need to be

submitted by 2nd June 2008.

If you would like to

contribute, or have any

comments or enquiries

please contact:

Shelley King, Information OfficerT: 01277 312630Jonathan Phillips, Sales &Marketing AssistantT: 01277 312693F: 01277 312635E: vision4business@ brentwood.gov.uk

Welcome

2

n e w s | v i e w s | c o m m e n t s APRIL 2008 ISSUE 10BusinessVISION FOR

Every effort is made to ensure that the content of this publication is accurate butthe publisher accepts no responsibility foreffects arising there from. We do not accept responsibility for loss or damage tounsolicited contributors. Opinionsexpressed by the contributors and advertisers are not necessarily those of thepublisher. This publication is protected bycopyright and no part may be reproduced inwhole or in part without the written permission of the publishers.

Please recycle this magazine carefullywhen you have finished reading.

Welcome to the April issue of Vision for Business.

Working in partnership with Essex County Council, we are

beginning an exiting new initiative to enable residents of Brentwood

to influence spending on local highways matters.

For the first time, Brentwood people will have far greater say on a

whole range of initiatives to improve the highway environment, from

junction improvements and new cycle paths to highway tree and

verge maintenance.

To make this programme work, we need residents’ views.

Brentwood Borough Council will be consulting through Vision,

the Citizens’ Panel, the new Highways Surgeries and through

online, postal and face-to-face surveys.

As a local business and one of our key stakeholder groups

(many of you are residents also) and we are seeking your views

too. Please take the time to complete the survey on pages 5-7.

Also in this issue of Vision for Business, you will find news about a

new discount card for Chamber of Commerce members, business

rate changes and our up coming Business Conference on 13th

June at Ford’s HQ in Warley.

Joanna Killian, Chief Executive

We can provide this publication in other formats, free of charge,

such as large print, on audio tape or a translation.

For more information, please call: 01277 312629.

APRIL 2008 ISSUE 10 n e w s | v i e w s | c o m m e n t s BusinessVISION FOR

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Discuss the big issues online

- EEDA

Shot Down

- Phoenix FM

CCTV for business

- Wortley Byers

Airport Visitor Centre

- Stansted Airport

New faces

- Wortley Byers

Best companies 2008 accreditation

- Wollastons

Landlord’s guide enfranchisement

- Pinney Rogers

Protect your software

- Wortley Byers

Flexible working

- Essex Business Partnership

Partnership news

- Brentwood Borough Council &

Essex County Council

Initiative to boost local business

- Brentwood Chamber of Commerce

Starting a new business?

- Mid Essex Enterprise Agency

Top of the class

- Beresfords

Brentwood rate changes

- Brentwood Borough Council

New events programme launched

- Business Link

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20

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5

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9

10

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Contents

10 1812

Opened by the Mayor of Brentwood, Councillor Francis

Kenny, this year’s Tourism and Leisure Show at the

Brentwood Centre had a unique “buzz” about it.

With over 100 exhibitors from all over Essex and

neighbouring counties to inspire the audience, there

was certainly an impressive choice of visitor attractions

including Hatfield House in Hertfordshire, Cadbury

World, Hylands House, Sample the Thames

Experience, Hever Castle, Kent The Bank of England

Museum and many more. Lots of borough, district and

town councils were also there representing their areas,

also providing ideas for great days out and short

breaks.

Tourism & Leisure Show

4


Flexible Working - the hot topic for 2008!

Employers – still unclear what flexible working

means to you?

The last few years have witnessed an

unprecedented series of significant and

substantial changes to UK employment law.

During 2007, the spotlight was turned on the

concept of ‘flexible working’, with the

government expressing an interest in

developing this area of law.

What you need to know

This seminar will:

• Explain the concept of ‘flexible working’ and

the work-life balance that it seeks to achieve

• Discuss the various statutory rights to

flexible working which employees currently

enjoy, and the various corresponding

statutory obligations imposed upon

employers

• Give practical guidance on the steps that

employers should take to ensure that they

comply with all of the relevant legislation and

regulations

Our presenter is the much respected and

entertaining Alan Massenhove.

An employment and commercial law specialist

for Wortley Byers LLP, Alan has over 10 years

experience of advising businesses on all

aspects of business law.

Always popular with audiences at Essex

Business Partnerships breakfast meetings, he

is a true master in de-mystifying law – giving

clarity to how such changes will impact on your

business.

Booking details

16 April 2008

Times: Start 7:45am for 8:15am End: 10am

Holiday Inn, Basildon

Please book the event here:

www.bookevents.org/events

HIGHWAYS LOCALISM – CONSULTATION SURVEY

Decisions made over a spending of the £2m budget of highway related work in Brentwood will now

be taken locally. Residents of Brentwood now have the opportunity to influence where their local

highways spending is directed and what priorities matter to them regarding maintenance, repairs

and improvements to the highways. To ensure your views are heard, please complete the

questionnaire below and return it to: Highways Localism, Brentwood Borough Council,

Town Hall, Ingrave Road, Brentwood, Essex, CM15 8AY

1. Are you a Brentwood resident? Yes No

2. Gender Male Female

3. Age 18 - 24 25-34 35-44 45-55 over 55 Declined

4. Disability Do you consider you have a disability? Yes No Declined

5. When thinking about your local highways, number three of the following options that are most

important to you (1 being most important):

1). Footway repairs

2). Highway repairs, such as resurfacing

3). Verge and highway tree maintenance

4). Pedestrian crossings

5). Waiting restrictions & yellow lines

6). Traffic management, including calming measures & signals

7). Junction improvements, including traffic lights & mini roundabouts

8). Speed limits

9). New street furniture

10). Repairing bus shelters

11). Clearing weeds and overgrowth

12). Clearing of litter and fly tipped items

13). Provision of residents’ parking

14). Don’t know

5


BrentwoodBorough Council

Partnership News

6


6. Thinking about the Borough as a whole, in your opinion, name two specific areas most in need of

highway improvements, please give reasons for your suggestions

1.

2.

7. In your opinion, which of the following statements best describes the current appearance and

condition of the highways in Brentwood?

Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know

Please give reasons for your answer

8. How do you prefer to be communicated with by Brentwood Borough Council?

Vision (the Council’s quarterly magazine)

Email

Letter

Telephone

Face to face

Text

Don’t have a preference

Don’t wish to receive communication from Brentwood Borough Council

Other, please specify

7


9. Do you have a suggestion for how Brentwood Borough Council could effectively engage with

residents and businesses across the Borough? Yes No

If yes, please give details

10. Would you be willing to supply an email address, telephone number or postal address in order

that the Council could consult with you on local issues in future? (Please be assured that all

information is treated in the strictest confidence and will not be shared with any third party or

used for any other purposes than that stated) Yes No

Name (optional)

Email Address Tel. No.

Postal Address

11. ETHNIC ORIGIN How would you describe your ethnic origin?

White Black or Black British

British Caribbean

Irish African

Any other White background Any other Black background

Mixed Asian or Asian British

White & Black Caribbean Indian

White & Black African Pakistani

White & Asian Bangladeshi

Any other Mixed background Any other Asian background

Chinese & other ethnic groups

Chinese

Other ethnic groups

12. Any other comments

Continue on a separate sheet if necessary.

8


Brentwood Chamber initiative to boost local businessBrentwood Chamber of Commerce is very

pleased to announce the launch of a new

product designed to boost business locally.

It is the Chamber’s Member Discount Card,

and all paid-up members of Brentwood

Chamber have now received their cards, which

look like credit cards (see the illustration right).

These Chamber Member Discount Cards can

be used to make purchases at the businesses

of Chamber members who have agreed to be

‘Acceptors’.

When a cardholder presents the card at an

‘Acceptor’, they will receive a discount on

purchases made Acceptors can be identified by

a window sticker (see below), which

demonstrates the welcome they will give to

cardholders who want to do business with

them. Acceptors will gain extra business and

cardholders will benefit from discounts.

Whilst at the outset all Chamber members are

receiving one card each, it is highly likely that

members, perhaps especially the larger ones,

will want a number more for members of

staff - so the scheme could grow rapidly.

If you are already a member of Brentwood

Chamber of Commerce and want to become

an Acceptor, please get in touch with us by

phoning 01277 214814 or emailing us at

[email protected]. If you are a

new or existing business in the Borough of

Brentwood, which is not yet a member and

would like to join - to take advantage of this

and the other benefits we have to offer –

again, please get in touch and we will offer

you a warm welcome.

Mike Hawkins, Executive Secretary01277 214814

[email protected]

The Mid Essex Enterprise Agency is here to

help you, we provide advice and guidance

from experienced advisers, all given in total

confidence. Our qualified Business Advisers

can provide advice on:

How to raise finance

How to market your product or service

What you need to know about

employing people

Taxation, NI and VAT matters

Training to equip you with key business

skills

And we will continue to give you advice and

support through the start-up period and during

those first critical months.

Are you running a small Business?

The Business Health Check has been designed

specifically for existing businesses that employ

under ten people and have been trading for

more than a year.

The Health Check will consider key areas,

such as finance, marketing, quality control,

employing staff, expansion and training, plus

any other issues you want to discuss.

An Adviser is on hand weekly at The Old

House, which is located by Wilson’s Corner on

Shenfield Road.

For more information, please contact: 01245 496712

enquiries@midessexenterpriseagency.co.ukwww.midessexenterpriseagency.co.uk

9


Starting a new business?

The wraps have been pulled off the new

three-door Fiesta and its stylish five-door twin

by Ford Britain’s Central Office in Warley.

Taking much of its exterior and interior design

from the striking Verve Concept, the next

generation of Britain’s best-loved small car,

sold and marketed from Ford at Warley,

promises to shake up the supermini scene at

its global premiere. More than 12 million Fiesta

models have been sold since its

introduction in 1976, and the arrival of this

latest Fiesta opens another chapter in the

story of Ford’s most successful small car.

www.ford.co.uk

New Ford Fiesta

10


Essex Police is warning local businesses to be

aware of a group of people conning people out

of hundreds of pounds through sleight-of-hand

and ‘ringing the change’ scams.

The group specifically hit bureaux de change

outlets but also shops. Their method involves

changing predominantly £20 notes for either

smaller notes or foreign currency and then

explaining that there is a misunderstanding

and that they wanted Canadian not American

dollars, or a different denomination or some

other similar confusing tactic. Before

exchanging any money back, seek the

assistance and support of colleague and

make absolutely sure that you count very

carefully the money being handed back and

forth.

www.essex.police.uk

Beware of cash swindle

Top of the class

left to right: Tim Stranks (Sales Negotiator),Mark Baker (Trainee Negotiator), MargaretNicol (Senior Negotiator), Martin Young(Assistant Manager), Ray Norris CeMap.(Mortgage and Protection Adviser) and MichaelWilson (Branch Manager)

Beresfords Groups’ Shenfield branch has good cause to celebrate following receiving top marks

from a recent Ombudsman for Estate Agents (OEA) survey, which highlights the excellent and

professional customer service that the branch provides.

Every year 20% of OEA members are randomly selected for a confidential survey amongst a

mixture of its buyers and sellers on the service that they provide. Participants are asked how

professional, friendly, knowledgeable and helpful the agents are. Beresfords’ Shenfield branch

received a remarkable 9.8/10 for each category.

Tel: 01277 212111 www.beresfordsgroup.co.uk

11


Wollastons have handed over

to Farleigh Hospice a cheque

for £44,534.00, the total

raised by the runners and

businesses who supported

their 2007 Race for Business.

The Race for Business is

organised each year by

Wollastons, starting in

Chelmsford town centre and

finishing at Wollastons offices

in Brierly Place, New London

Road. Details of the 2008

Race for Business will be

announced in March when

entry forms will be available

from Miss Terry Webber on

01245 211281 or email

[email protected]

A groundbreaking ‘business

dating agency’ was launched

in February to help companies

based in the East of England

compete for business

opportunities helping deliver

the London 2012 Olympic and

Paralympic Games.

“CompeteFor” will help

companies in the East of

England compete for London

2012 direct and supply chain

contracts and is funded by

EEDA. It will also connect

companies with local Business

Link services which will help

boosting the long-term

competitiveness of companies

in the East of England.

The Olympic Delivery Authority

(ODA) and London Organising

Committee (LOCOG) expect to

allocate over £6 billion of work

as part of an estimated 75,000

future business opportunities

covering direct contractors and

their supply chains over the

coming years.

www.london2012.com/business

Dating agency for

business to

compete for

London 2012

contracts

Business rate changes

Race for Business

The Government has reformed unoccupied property relief with

effect from 1 April 2008.

Offices, shops & all other properties excluding

industrial/storage properties

Providing a property has been occupied for the previous six

weeks, when it becomes unoccupied, it qualifies for a three

month unoccupied rate free period. At the end of the three

months a 100% unoccupied charge will be payable. The same

as if it were occupied.

Industrial/storage properties - factories, workshops,

warehouses, & storage units/land

Providing a property has been occupied for the previous six

weeks, when it becomes unoccupied, it qualifies for a six month

unoccupied rate free period. At the end of the six months a

100% unoccupied charge will be payable. The same as if it

were occupied.

Exceptions to the above

The rates liability of unoccupied property that is held by a

charity and appears likely to be next used for charitable

purposes, or that is held by a community amateur sports club

and appears likely to be next used for the purposes of the club,

will be reduced from 10% of the basic occupied rate to zero.

Listed buildings, property that has statutory protection, property

with a rateable value below £2200 and property owned by

companies in administration, will be exempt from unoccupied

rate. If the property is unoccupied the leaseholder or, if no

lease is in existence, the landlord will be liable for the 100%

charge.

For more information: www.brentwood.gov.uk

Businesses and entrepreneurs in Essex are now able

to benefit from the brand new Business Link events

programme.

A huge variety of topics are covered in the programme

including workshops aimed at people who are starting or

considering starting a business, finance and legislation,

marketing, family businesses, developing people, IT,

business practice and much more, all of which are heavily

subsidised or free of charge.

Over 28,000 delegates have attended Business Link’s

events in the region since April last year including people starting out, business owners, company

directors, sales and marketing professionals, HR managers and team leaders from all types and

size of organisation. The workshops fit easily into the working day without taking too much time

away from the business.

The new programme features a wide variety of briefings, workshops, courses and networking

opportunities, designed for the customer’s needs.

The easy to use programme is divided into two sections, ‘Briefings and Workshops for New

Businesses’ and ‘Briefings for Growing Businesses’, enabling users to simply select the right

event for their needs.

If you would like to receive a copy of the programme, please call Business Linkon 08457 17 16 15, or visit www.bookevents.org

12


Bringing the cup home In March, four companies from Shenfield High

School attended the Easter Trade Fair

organised by Young Enterprise at the Eastgate

Shopping Centre in Basildon. They joined 11

other Young Enterprise companies from a

variety of schools and colleges, each selling

a variety of products.

All four of the companies from Shenfield found

the trade fair a very worthwhile experience.

Neon, were selling ‘Tucks’, a material pouch

that can carry an ipod, phone, keys etc.

The Black Thunders from Essex FM ordered a

staggering 200 Tucks.

XY Ties, who were selling customised ties, won

Best Overall Company. They received £100 for

their company bank account and the Big Cup,

which will be proudly displayed at the school.

We would like to say thank you to Neil Adams

of IBM and Michael Locke of Copyright Repro

Ltd who have acted as business advisors and

have given a lot of help and support.

Clare Burr, Shenfield High School

New events programme lauchedby Business Link...

13


The East of England Development Agency (EEDA) has

become the first regional development agency (RDA) in

England to launch an online blog.

This new development will help EEDA and its partners

discuss how to respond to the big issues facing the region

such as climate change, growth and competing in the

global economy.

The blog (short for weblog) is a regularly updated website

that creates a two-way, online conversation between

EEDA and businesses, public sector and community

sector partners and residents. It will provide a platform for

regional leaders and the public to engage directly with

EEDA by offering the ability to add publicly-viewable

comments on every entry that is posted.

David Marlow, chief executive of EEDA, said: “The East of

England is the ideas region and this bold new initiative will

enable us to share EEDA’s ideas and aspirations for the

region with partners, businesses and residents. We want

to improve the way in which we can engage with people

in the region to help drive sustainable economic

development.”

To access the new blog visit: www.eeda.org.uk/blog.

Discuss the big issues online

14


Direct flights to the world’s

fastest growing city of Dubai

will soon be available from

Stansted following an

announcement that Eos

Airlines is to begin daily

services in July. The airline

will also launch a new

connection to Newark, New

Jersey from May.

www.stanstedairport.com

The Government has

announced up to £37 million

to prevent work place

disputes unnecessarily going

to employment tribunals.

The measures are part

of package designed to

simplify the dispute resolution

system, saving business and

employees over £175m a

year.

The extra funding, over three

years, will allow Acas to boost

its helpline and advice

services and offer help at any

stage of a dispute to make

sure it is never too late to

choose an informal

resolution.

www.acas.org.uk

Extra cash to aid

early resolution of

workplace

disputes

Direct flights to

Dubai £500k to skills andemployments

A £500,000 grant from the East of England Development

Agency (EEDA) will mean Brentwood’s post-war housing

estates of East Ham, Three Arches and Thriftwood will get a

new community-owned ‘hub’ that will provide much-needed

essential services and help raise the skill levels of local

residents and to help them find jobs.

After nearly ten years of being without any kind of community

asset since the closure of the old building, Ingrave Community

Association Ltd (ICAL) with support from Brentwood Borough

Council, Essex County Council, Newham Council and the local

Primary Care Trust (PCT) has been successful in its application

to EEDA for a grant under its Building Communities Fund.

www.eeda.org.uk

Shot down by ‘Simon Cowell of Radio’The Phoenix FM presenter

rejected by ‘radio's Simon

Cowell’ before joining Essex's

community station has hosted

her 40th show. Muthamma

Prasad, 27, made the

headlines after her offer to

volunteer at a London

community radiostation was

met with a blisteringly rude

response.

In contrast, Phoenix FM, open

minded to new programme ideas, invited Muthamma to its

Brentwood studios to hear more. Station bosses were so

impressed by her literary knowledge and enthusiasm that

Muthamma's radio show, called the Book Club, was added to

its schedule.

Muthamma is part of the Phoenix team of presenters,

technicians, researchers and fundraisers who help broadcast

35 live weekly shows on 98FM and at www.phoenixfm.com.

Radio hopefuls equally keen to get on air or to help behind the

scenes on the 24-hour station for Brentwood and Billericay

should contact the station manager via the website.

www.phoenixfm.com

15


Keep your business safe

CCTV for businesses- are you keeping watch?

If you are running a business it is highly likely

that you use CCTV to protect your property,

but are you using CCTV legally?

Under the Data Protection Act (DPA),

businesses have a number of duties

regarding the recording of individual’s personal

information. Using CCTV is one method of

collecting this information, and failing to follow

the DPA correctly can lead to criminal offences

being committed.

An important development in adhering to the

DPA is the issuance of a new Code of Practice

by the Information Commissioner, which sets

out guidance on the best way to legally operate

CCTV. Replacing a Code issued in 2000, it

takes account of new technology, increases

protection for the public, and now includes

nearly all CCTV systems, rather than just

systems focussed on a specific individual. The

2008 Code varies in a number of other ways

from the previous version which means that

your adherence to the old Code may not mean

that your actions are now legal under the new

Code. This means that just because your

actions were in line before, there is no

guarantee as to their legality now.

The Code merely provides guidance on best

practice. You will not necessarily be in breach

of the Code if you do not follow it but it is an

important factor aspect should your processing

and data protection policies be investigated.

If you would like advice on adhering to the new

code, or any other Data Protection issues,

please contact Sue Dowman at Wortley Byers

LLP on 01277 268355.

www.wortleybyers.co.uk

Over the last few years, security equipment has become far more efficient with the use of Digital

Video Recorders (DVRs) and with cameras monitored on a network or over the internet. Prices

have also fallen on equipment, and with the use of DVR’s and LED infra-red, maintenance needs

are lower too.

Formed in 1995, All Ways Wired’s range from local government and schools to commercial and

domestic customers. Along with CCTV and access control, we also supply services for car park

barriers, fire alarms, electrical installations,

emergency lighting, telephone systems,

fibre optics, mobility vehicles & audio/visual.

We have been involved with the various

ad-hoc installations and improvements to

existing systems. We are not agents for any

company and will look for the options best

suited to our customers’ needs.

For more information, contact Andrew on01277 200844, Fax 01277 248199 or e-mail

[email protected]

16


BAA Stansted has welcomed

news that permission for a

state of the art visitor centre

has been given approval.

Up to 40 visitors at any one

time will have access to the

state of the art facility that will

include a lecture theatre,

parking for up to 20 vehicles

and a coach bay for school

parties and organised trips.

It will open up the exciting and

interesting world of airport

operations to those who want

to learn more about Stansted

and hear more about the scale

and scope of what happens at

the airport.

www.stanstedairport.com

Airport visitors centre

gets go ahead..

A leading business growth consultant in Essex

has made practical suggestions for businesses

trying to cope with the fall out from the current

financial situation.

Alan Briggs, MD of Dynamic Business

Strategies Ltd has highlighted some jitters in

consumer confidence; especially amongst

those who had fixed rate mortgages that have

come to an end, but feels this will just mean

some belt tightening. The biggest impact of this

has been seen on the high street and some of

the big retailers are downgrading their growth

expectations but others have performed OK.

As an experienced consultant, he is telling his

clients that they should always plan for the

worst and make gains from the best by

planning for a slowdown but reap the rewards.

Alan’s key steps are; plan sales and growth

realistically, based on sensible estimates and

market research, look at what is happening to

your customers’ markets.

For a free business health check, contact Alan

Briggs on 07917 446068 today.

Alan has more free tips on his blog

http://thebusinessexpert.blogspot.com or visitwww.dynamicbusinessstategies.co.uk

Every business in

Brentwood that employs

workers from outside

Europe must get

a licence as part of massive

changes to the UK’s

immigration system.

New fines for employers

who hire illegal workers and

a tough new points system

so only the best can work

here are among the other

measures introduced.The

scheme is designed to

attract the most talented

people with the skills the UK

needs to remain a global

leader in business, and

technological innovation.

The Government is also

introducing a licensing

system for employers who

want to recruit from

overseas.

www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk

Business expert’s tips for copingwith the ‘credit crunch’

New

immigration

system

17


New faces atWortley Byers

Wortley Byers has appointed David Chapman Managing Partner and four new partners:

Sue Dowman, Wendy Beach, Nick Traill and Michael Callaghan.

Michael Callaghan (far left) has more than 14 years litigation experience and was previously a

partner at a leading Essex firm before joining Wortley Byers in February 2008. He specialises in

all aspects of landlord and tenant law including business and residential tenancy cases, adverse

possession actions, rent reviews, dilapidations cases and trespass actions. He is a member of

the Property Litigation Association and he is also a CEDR accredited mediator.

Sue Dowman (second from the left) a former Associate, joined the firm in 2001 and advises on

corporate transactions and commercial agreements with specific expertise in IP and IT. Sue has

also been appointed Head of Marketing and is involved in promoting the firm and business

development.

Nick Traill (second from the right) a former Associate, joined the firm in 1998. He is a member

of the Chartered Institute of Taxation. Nick advises on a range of corporate and commercial

transactions with particular reference to tax issues.

Wendy Beach (far right) has more than 15 years litigation experience and was previously a

partner at a leading Essex firm before joining Wortley Byers in April 2007. Wendy has been

appointed Head of the Litigation Department and has experience of all commercial disputes

particularly in insolvency issues.

www.wortleybyers.co.uk

18


The Small Business Rate Relief Scheme

entitles eligible properties with a rateable value

of less than £5,000 to 50% rate relief. This will

decrease on a sliding scale of 1% for every

£100 below £10,000 rateable value.

Eligible properties with rateable values from

£10,000 to £14,999 will not receive Small

Business Rate Relief, however, along with all

eligible properties, their bill will be calculated

using the small business non-domestic rating

multiplier.

The property must meet the qualifying

conditions on 1 April of the relevant chargeable

year and on every chargeable day. Relief is

only available to Business Ratepayers with

either:

One property with a rateable value less than

£15,000, or

One main property and other additional

properties, providing those additional

properties have rateable values less than

£2,200 and the total value of all the properties

remains under £15,000.

Other factors are:

Relief will only be awarded to one property

The rateable value threshold of £15,000 is

based on the location of the eligible property,

not the location of any additional properties.

The charge on the additional properties will

be based on the higher normal non-domestic

rating multiplier.

If a Business Ratepayer’s circumstances

change and they no longer meet the qualifying

conditions, the relief will be cancelled from the

day they are no longer eligible.

Business ratepayers who receive Charity

Relief, Rural Rate Relief or have an

unoccupied property are exempt from the

scheme.

If you have any questions or require furtherinformation www.brentwood.gov.uk

Small businesses could reduce theirbusiness rates by as much as half

‘Best Companies 2008’accreditation

Leading Essex commercial law firm

Wollastons LLP is one of only a handful of

law firms in the country to receive Best

Companies 2008 star status accreditation

for its outstanding workplace and investment

in people.

The elite national accreditation scrutinises

workplace engagement and sets a rigorous

benchmark for other companies. It follows a

‘Michelin star’ system, with Wollastons being

awarded one star for ‘first class performance’.

19


Working people need waterOne of the best and simplest ways towards a healthier lifestyle is to drink more water - at

least eight glasses (two litres) of tap water every day. Sickness absence costs employers at

least £11 billion each year and 33 million working days every year are lost to occupational ill

health. Medical research shows that well-nourished and hydrated employees are resistant to

illness and recover more quickly.

Many companies make drinking water accessible to employees by water coolers that use

bottled water. Bottle-free water coolers provide an economical and convenient method of

dispensing cool, fresh tap water for the workplace. The difference in cost is a large

consideration. Nineteen litres of bottled water costs between £5 and £7 and the same

amount from the tap, from a bottle-free water cooler, costs around 2p. The installation and

connection to the water main supply only takes about twenty minutes and removes the cost

and inconvenience of ordering, storing and changing large, heavy water bottles.

By connecting to the water mains supply, customers will be doing their bit for

sustainability and the environment by preventing the need for journeys involving

delivery vehicles and also the production and dispensing of plastic bottles.

For further information, and the solution to providing employees with fresh, cool water aspart of a healthy lifestyle, ring Essex & Suffolk Water on 0870 225 2656 or log onto

www.eswater.co.uk

A landlord’s guide to enfranchisementThe Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban

Development Act 1993 and the Commonhold

and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 have

introduced the right for qualifying tenants of

flats to extend their leases and the right for the

tenants to acquire the freehold of their building.

Participating tenants can grant themselves very

long leases and reduce or even completely

eliminate the ground rent payable. The tenants

may also acquire the management of the

building.

Although the legislation has made collective

enfranchisement easier, there are still a

number of exclusions that apply and not all

tenants who apply will actually qualify. In

addition, the price and other terms offered by

tenants are often insufficient or not in a

landlord’s best interests.

The landlord’s reasonable costs of assessing

the right of the tenants to enfranchise, dealing

with the notice and the costs of the valuation

and conveyancing fees are all payable by the

tenants. Costs will normally include solicitors

and surveyor’s fees. As soon as you are aware

of a tenant’s proposal to enfranchise, you

should seek specialist legal advice. This area

of law is quite specific and complex and there

will be no doubt that the tenants have already

instructed legal advisers.

Contact Sajel Patel, Residential Property Solicitor,

on 01708 229444 [email protected]

20

BusinessVISION FOR

Protect your softwareIf you are a business developing computer software or your

product incorporates some form of software, you are probably

aware of the importance in protecting your invention from being

copied. Following a recent case there are now increased

opportunities for UK software developers to protect software on

its own, as a patent.

Previously, the position was that standalone computer programs

as such were not patentable. The UK has now been brought

into line with the European Patent Office, and the UK

Intellectual Property Office can no longer automatically ban the

patenting of all computer programs.

The increased protection given through patents presents

immediate advantages for software developers. A patent gives

a 25-year monopoly over the process or product, and even

patent applications not yet accepted can be licensed or sold to

third parties. Small businesses will also benefit through reduced

costs for filing a patent application in the UK, compared to

previously being forced to using the more expensive ‘back door’

method of the European Patent Office.

If you would like advice on patenting your product or process, or

any other intellectual property issue, please contact Sue

Dowman at Wortley Byers on 01277 268355.

Writtle CollegeLordship Road, WrittleChelmsford, Essex CM1 3RRT: 01245 424112E: [email protected]: www.ader.org.uk

Corporate Communication Town Hall, Ingrave RoadBrentwood, Essex CM15 8AYT: 01277 312629F: 01277 312635E: [email protected]: www.brentwood.gov.uk

Pepperell House, 44 High StreetBrentwood, Essex CM14 4AJT: 01277 214814F: 01277 214814E: [email protected]: www.brentwoodchambers.co.uk

Information and Intelligence Centre4 Bishops Square, Hatfield,Herfordshire AL10 9NET: 0845 7171615E: [email protected]: www.businesslinkeast.org.uk

The Business CentreStation Road, HistonCambridgeshire CB4 9LQT: 01223 713900E: [email protected]: www.eeda.org.uk

Aquila HouseWaterloo RoadChelmsford, Essex CM1 1BDT: 01245 702400E: [email protected]: www.exdra.co.uk

T: 01253 336000F: 01253 348046E: [email protected]: www.fsb.org.uk

Coplestone Court, 1 Wells StreetChelmsford, Essex CM1 1HXT: 01245 496712E: [email protected]: www.midessexenterpriseagency.co.uk

T: 0207 215 5000E: [email protected]: www.sbs.gov.uk

Useful numbers, contacts & websites:

Agrilcultural Development in the

Eastern Region (ADER)

Brentwood Borough Council

Brentwood Chamber of Commerce

Business Link East

Federation of Small Businesses

Mid Essex Enterprise Agency (MEEA)

Small Business Service

East of England Development

Agency (EEDA)

Essex Development and

Regeneration Agency (EXDRA)

vision for business - april 2008 - brentwood · also in this issue of vision for business, ......

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