Employment Tax Specialist Tessa Brown is getting in the festive spirit this week, and what’s more festive than tax!
Many businesses will be looking at handing out gifts and throwing parties for their teams over December, so Tessa outlines all the important HMRC info they need to consider. She explains the definition of Trivial Benefits and Annual Functions Exemption as well as the implications of employees receiving gifts from third parties. She also discusses the impact of PAYE settlement agreements and a few VAT and Corporation Tax considerations.
Okay, so not really very festive – we know! But these factors are important to consider to avoid any complications further down the line, particularly for new business owners.
For further information on today’s topic, and how we can help support you and your business on all tax related matters, click here.
GET IN TOUCH! If you have any questions on today’s episode, and would like us to get in touch, email us at podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk.
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You can find more episodes from this series on our website here.
Whether it’s lunch or an evening meal, come and discover first-hand the excellent standards set by our catering and hospitality courses.
The Debut Restaurant at City College Norwich trains the next generation of chefs and front of house staff by giving students experience of working in a fine dining restaurant.
The restaurant is run by the college’s internationally renowned Hotel School and serves exquisite lunches dinners from a seasonal menu. A number of themed nights and guest chef takeover evenings are also held to showcase the outstanding talent of our students.
Debut Restaurant holds a ‘Highly Commended’ AA College Rosette that reflects the outstanding food and service on offer. The college’s high standards of hospitality education along with the experience students gain in the Debut Restaurant, has seen a number of notable names start their journey with us including Richard Bainbridge and Tom Aikens.
Autumn Term Dates
Tuesday 11th October to Thursday 20th October limited availability
Tuesday 1st November to Friday 16th December
Subject to availability and curriculum demands
Booking a Table
Please call 01603 773227
Telephone lines are open:
Monday to Friday 9am-4pm
Answer phone available outside of these times or alternative email debut_reception@ccn.ac.uk
Join us for what promises to be an informative and engaging event, where a guest speaker from the Bank of England will share current insights on the UK economy. The event will take place on Friday 12 November at Barnham Broom, where a buffet lunch and other refreshments will be provided prior to the presentation.
Our guest speaker, Phil Eckersley, Agent for South East and East Anglia from the Bank of England will be providing an ‘off-the-record’ look at the UK economy. There will also be opportunities to network with business leaders from across the county before and after the talk, as well as a Q&A session with the speaker.
The event will be off-the-record and press will not be invited.
Agenda
12pm – Arrival and networking
12.30pm – Welcome from the Norfolk Chambers / Lunch
1pm – Phil Eckersley, Bank of England presentation
1.30pm – Q&A session
2pm – Event close
Who is it for?
Business owners, managers, entrepreneurs, start-ups, young businesses and anyone who wants to learn more from the Bank of England.
Cancellation policy
If you have booked tickets and are no longer able to attend, please notify us at hello@norfolkchambers.co.uk. Please note that refunds will not be issued if you cancel after Thursday 4 November.
Guest speaker: Phil Eckersley, Agent, South East and East Anglia, Bank of England
Phil started with the Bank of England in 1987 having spent three years teaching economics and mathematics in SE London.
After four years working as a statistician on money supply data, Phil moved to the management’s accounts office in the Bank, providing detailed cost briefing to Governors and Directors.
In 1994 Phil joined the Bank of England’s agency network, between 1994 and 2002 acting as Deputy Agent in the South East & East Anglia moving on in 2002 to become Agent for Northern Ireland; then in October 2008 he was appointed to be the Agent in the South East & East Anglia.
* We are doing everything we can to bring you this event in September by following government COVID guidelines. However, due to the unpredictable nature of the pandemic, we may have to postpone this event at short notice if circumstances arise that are out of our control. All staff members of the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce will take a Lateral Flow Test prior to the event, and should anyone have a positive result they will not attend.
We would highly recommend you taking a Lateral Flow Test prior to the event, and if you feel unwell or have any COVID symptoms please stay at home.
Do you know which documents are necessary for an international shipment? Documents are there to help get the goods into the destination country quickly and efficiently. They also offer benefits to both the exporter and their overseas customer.
This full day course looks at export documentation and explains why they might be required, what content is required and the benefits they offer.
Aims • Understand which documents are necessary for an international shipment • Know the key pieces of information required for each document • Understand the importance of preferential trade agreements • Know how to complete the documents • Understand the rules of origin • Know the difference between shipping documents and what they are used for • Identify sources of information with regards to these documents
Who should attend? This course is suitable for anyone involved in the export or import process and who are involved with the preparation of documents such as; accounts, purchasing / buyers, freight forwarders, shipping, marketing, customer services, goods inward staff and many more.
Testimonials “Norfolk Chamber always makes us feel very welcome. The course was as good as always and I now have more knowledge on the industry and export documentation.”
“The content of the course was very goods. I got clarification of the documentation required and how they are used at different stages of an export.”
“Very good course, would recommend.”
Cancellation Policy 15% of fee payable if delegates cancel more than 7 days in advance. If less than 7 days the full fee is payable.
One of the ‘core 10’ courses accredited by British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). Candidates achieving Pass or Merit in the course will receive a certificate. Those who pass 6 individual courses will achieve a nationally recognised Foundation Award in International Trade.
We are happy to announce that after an impressive response with the Dacia brand, the Holden Group have decided to bulk their digital signage portfolio, by promoting the Volvo brand on our screens across Norfolk. Combining both animation and video footage of the V40 T2 R-Design along with it’s attractive monthly cost, the advertisement certainly grabs the attention of our captive audiences.
– DOOH is an advertising medium which cannot be turned off, closed, missed or minimised. It’s live, data driven & dynamic along with being contextual, relevant and useful to its viewers. – 86% of consumers say digital screens are noticeable – 80% of consumers find digital advertising screens to be informative – 72% of consumers recall advertising on digital screens
Holden Group Ltd is a family owned; Norwich based business specialising in the supply of New and Used cars, Vans, Service, MOT and Parts. Established in 1928 and representing the Renault UK, Dacia UK, Honda UK and Volvo Car UK brands, Holden has earned its reputation as a company you can trust and rely on.
Every year the 1st June marks the beginning of Volunteers’ Week – a week of celebration of everything to do with volunteering. Charities and community groups large and small take part by organising events or finding their own creative ways to thank their volunteers and celebrate their invaluable contribution to local communities.
This Volunteers’ Week, Voluntary Norfolk would also like to take the opportunity to thank all businesses that have made it possible for their employees to volunteer through employer-supported volunteering. Local businesses really seem to appreciate the incredible breadth of work that Norfolk groups and charities do. We have been absolutely delighted to hear from many businesses who were keen to get involved with local causes in the last year.
Volunteering is, of course, a two-way street. And there is no doubt that the reason why more and more businesses are interested in volunteering is also because they recognise the benefits volunteering can have for them and their employees. Not only can it help employers maintain a healthy work environment and support their team’s wellbeing, but it also provides opportunities to develop their team’s skills. Teamwork, creativity, compassion, communication skills are needed in virtually any professional role. They also form the basis of many voluntary roles. Volunteering doesn’t have to require onerous time commitment. As little as 30 minutes a week can be enough to support a cause close to your heart.
Voluntary Norfolk’s platform Get InVOLved Norfolk advertises almost 400 roles across the county, so it’s never been easier to find the right opportunity for you or your team. You can even set up a page for a particular organisation and keep track of the hours your employees volunteer, which will make it even easier to demonstrate the impact they make in their community. Find out more on our page for Corporate Volunteering.
What does the future of the workplace look like, based on experiences and learnings from the past year? The Covid-19 pandemic triggered a major shift in the way we live and work. Businesses have had to act quickly to adopt new initiatives and technology to ensure employee safety and wellbeing, whilst maintaining the productivity and connectivity of their teams. Content
Join us for this interactive face-to-face session* to:
Reflect on the changes made to the workplace as a result of Covid-19 and the associated legal and practical issues which have arisen.
Debate whether there is a value in the “traditional office” or whether hybrid working is now the new “normal”.
Discuss how to implement long-term changes to the way employees work and the social, practical and legal implications of such changes.
Consider how we deal with flexible working requests raised informally and under the statutory scheme.
Tackle tricky legal and practical issues which have arisen as a result of staff working more flexibly and dealing with workplace closures.
Consider physical and mental wellbeing strategies post-Covid.
Address the steps that can be taken to ensure inclusion and diversity in hybrid working environments post-Covid.
Who is it for?
HR professionals, business owners, managers, entrepreneurs, start-ups, young businesses and anyone who wants to connect and access specialist knowledge from Howes Percival.
Cancellation policy
We only have a maximum of 30 places on this event. Please notify us if you are no longer able to attend in writing to hello@norfolkchambers.co.uk
Please note that no refunds will be offered if you cancel after Tuesday 12 October.
Guest Presenters
Laura Brown, Director, Employment at Howes Percival LLP
Laura is a Director in the employment law team at Howes Percival and advises employers of all sizes within a range of sectors, including education, energy, motor, manufacturing and food.
Kate Melton, Associate, Employment at Howes Percival LLP
Kate is an Associate in the employment law team at Howes Percival and assists the team in a wide variety of employment matters including both advisory and contentious work.
About Howes Percival LLP
Howes Percival LLP is a leading commercial law firm, and its clients range from individuals and families to global businesses and government departments. They offer a wide range of legal expertise and is constantly investing in new specialisms to ensure that they can offer excellent advice to their clients across all aspects of their business.
* We are doing everything we can to bring you this event in September by following government COVID guidelines. However, due to the unpredictable nature of the pandemic, we may have to postpone this event at short notice if circumstances arise that are out of our control. All staff members of the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce will take a Lateral Flow Test prior to the event, and should anyone have a positive result they will not attend.
We would highly recommend you taking a Lateral Flow Test prior to the event, and if you feel unwell or have any COVID symptoms please stay at home.
For many years businesses have relied on “off-payroll” workers (contractors, consultants, freelancers etc.) as a feasible, and often cheaper, alternative to employees.
However, pending reforms to IR35 rules in the private sector, following their introduction to the public sector in 2017, mean that all businesses are having to reconsider whether these working relationships are likely to be classified as “disguised employment” by HMRC and indeed whether or not such working arrangements will continue to be financially viable from April 2020.
Following a number of recent high-profile court cases, HMRC is turning the screw on tax avoidance by Personal Service Companies (aka one-man bands) by shifting the responsibility for determining a contractor’s IR35 status to the end-client including the liability to operate PAYE when necessary.
This seminar will endeavour to explain all aspects of IR35. Everything from what IR35 is to the financial impact it could have on your business, no matter how small, ensuring you gain all the knowledge you need to take the necessary steps to prepare for HMRC’s new regime.
Who is this for?
This course is suitable for anyone working as a contractor, consultant, freelancer or another form of subcontracted support for another organisation, and companies who are using a lot of external contractors etc. Understanding whether the relationship is Contractor or Employee is highly important and ignorance is no longer a defence.
The latest Bank of England Agent’s summary of business conditions for November 2015 was released today.
The summary identified that activity had continued to grow solidly on a year ago but at a slower rate than earlier in the year. The slowdown has been most noticeable in manufacturing.
Weaker overseas demand growth and the strength of sterling has continued to weigh down on exports. This again has affected confidence of UK businesses particularly those in manufacturing.
Labour cost growth has remained modest. Pay pressures were reported to be building in some areas where recruitment difficulties were the greatest, such as professional services and construction.
A webinar is being organised by UKTI which will provide an overview of the export opportunities available to UK companies in the Kuwaiti Food and Drink sector, and to give an insight into the specific needs and expectations of the local market.
The State of Kuwait imports the bulk of the needs of the population of consumer goods, food and beverages. The Kuwaiti food retail market may not be the biggest in the region, however its profit margins remain healthy; with wholesalers expecting margins of 25% and distributors looking for profits between 10% and 15%.
The webinar is taking place on Tuesday 1 December 2015 from 13.00 to 14.00 (GMT) with guest speaker Mr Garry Walsh, Chief Executive Officer, Mezzan Holding Company who will cover:
Kuwait’s Food aznd Drink Market
Export Opportunities for UK Companies
Tips and Recommendations
Q & A Session
Please click here if you would like to book for this webinar
Chamber Co.nnects are monthly network meetings for its members to network and chat with other businesses in a digital space.
We believe networking is key during difficult times to help with mental health, continuation of business and access to help and advice from peers. Each network meeting will have 1-2 guest speakers and will be focusing on a current topic.
Enjoy from the comfort of your own home with no early starts or commute and make sure to make a coffee and bring a smile to this online video meeting.
Who’s it for?
Business owners, managers, entrepreneurs, start-ups, young businesses and anyone who wants to connect and engage with other businesses in the Norfolk area.
Topic – Mental Health Awareness Training in the workplace
Every employer depends on having healthy and productive employees – valued and supported staff are far more likely to perform better and achieve peak performance. Mental health problems are common among employees, and research suggests that the past year has been particularly challenging for staff. In 2021, Mind surveyed more than 42,000 employees across 114 employers participating in the Mind Workplace Wellbeing Index and included an additional section on the impact of Covid-19. The mental health charity found that two in five (41 per cent) of Index employees whose employers were taking part said their mental health had worsened during the pandemic. Norfolk and Waveney Mind are passionate about helping every business to have the healthiest work environment possible. Come along to this Chamber Co.nnect event to see the support and courses which they can offer your business. It’s time to act now and invest in mental health awareness.
Guest Speakers
Alex Wiseman, Partnership Co-ordinator at Norfolk and Waveney Mind
Alex joined the charity in May 2021 after supporting them for many years. He wants to play his part in making sure everyone has accessible mental health services.
About Norfolk and Waveney Mind
Norfolk and Waveney Mind are a mental health charity that believes no one should have to face a mental health problem alone. They work to reduce the stigma associated with mental health, support people in their recovery and champion better services for all.
Ben Goode is a Director at LSI Architects. His areas of responsibility at LSI are wide-ranging and include Finance, Human Resources, IT, Health and Safety, Community and Company Secretarial. In recent years, Ben has been the spearhead behind LSI Architects’ focus on raising the profile of mental health and wellbeing in the workplace, and the Practice’s work to become a more open and supportive organisation. This work has seen LSI Architects receive the Gold Accreditation in Mind’s annual Workplace Wellbeing Index on four occasions. This year, the Practice was recognised by Mind as the top UK employer for Workplace Wellbeing. About LSI ArchitectsLSI Architects is an AJ100, award-winning architectural practice with around 70 people, including Architects, Architectural Technologists and support staff, based in London and Norwich. The practice seeks to create sustainable, innovative, valuable and positive architecture that improves lives, builds communities and enhances society, or as they put it – Life Touching Design. LSI Architects has long been recognised as one of the best employers in the construction industry as a Sunday Times Best Company To Work For since 2015 and a gold accredited organisation by Investors In People and Mind’s Workplace Wellbeing Index.
Agenda
09:30 – Welcome from Chamber. Go through format and any updates (5-mins) 09:35 – 45-second introductions from each delegate (15-mins) 09:50 – First speaker – Alex Wiseman (10-mins) 10:00 – Q&A (10-mins) 10:10 – Second speaker – Ben Goode (10-mins) 10:20 – Q&A (10-mins) 10:30 – Discussion topics and networking (30-mins) 11:00 – Close
Due to this event being for members-only, it has been set-up for manual approval, so event details will be received shortly after registering rather than immediately.
On Thursday 12th November, over 90 members joined us for a Business Breakfast at the Great Yarmouth Town Hall. The venue provided a great setting in the spacious Assembly Room where delegates networked over coffee and breakfast, followed by two presentations discussing the event theme; Trends in the Energy Industry.
In true chamber style, the morning kicked off with a networking activity that was sure to test how awake the delegates were and highlight the energy industry buffs as we got them to solve the Missing Vowel Quiz.
The event was hosted by the President of Great Yarmouth Chamber Council Andy Penman, who was passionate about the subject matter and content provided by our featured speakers Johnathan Reynolds, Nautilus Associates and Joanna Young, ScottishPower renewables.
Two great presentations were delivered by these industry experts, which are now available to view on the event page at your leisure.
Johnathan offered a local energy industry update, complete with some interesting and revealing statistics, whilst Joanna (having stepped in last minute to replace her colleague David Rowland), informed the delegates of the EA1 Offshore Wind Project which is rapidly progressing and subsequently creating many opportunities within the region.
We closed the event with a short Q&A, after which, many delegates took this opportunity to talk further with the speakers and get in some final networking to make those all-important contacts.
Here’s what some of the delegates tweeted about the event: