Member News

The flagship shop first opened on 289 Aylsham Road, Norwich in 2002. TaxAssist Accountants has reached another milestone in its success story as its first shop turns 20 years old. TaxAssist is known for changing the landscape of the accountancy industry through retailing tax and accounting services, which has become the cornerstone of the franchise’s success over the last two decades. As an effective way to attract and retain business clients, property landlords and high net worth individuals, the shopfront model has been successfully rolled out globally, and there are now 260 TaxAssist Accountants shops operating in the UK, Ireland, Australia and North America. James Mattam, Group Business Development Director, explains more about the concept and its enduring appeal. “When the first ‘shop front’ in Norwich was launched, our main intentions were to create a modern, welcoming, branded office, with the aim of departing from the look and characteristics of traditional accountancy practices. The strategy always focused on the client experience and we created a place clients would like to visit and feel comfortable to share their business plans and share their challenges with us so we can help resolve this and satisfy their needs. “Visibility, credibility, walk-in business and brand reinforcement are the key benefits that operating from shop front premises brings to our accountancy network. Not only is this a place of work for our tax and accounting experts to run their franchise from, it is a permanent advert that performs day and night, right throughout the year, that has supported our growth and served us well.” James continues, “The most recent client satisfaction survey found that 78% of clients said that they prefer to meet their accountant in person, making the shop front location the ideal setting for building relationships. High streets are continually evolving and choosing the right location means that TaxAssist Accountants, with its ever growing range of services, stands out as the one-stop-shop for clients in each area we operate in.” Robin Johnson runs the franchise’s flagship Norwich North shop. Robin is also celebrating a personal milestone in 2022, having purchased the practice ten years ago this year from a former franchisee and continues to highly value the shop’s role in his practice’s success. “The shop really stands out and is incredibly well located, which continually drives new walk-in business. Clients love the open, warm, friendly feel of the shop which makes them feel at ease and provides just the right atmosphere for our meetings,” confirms Robin. “The shop is so noticeable, with its bright blue and yellow colours, when we roll out marketing campaigns in the area and online, potential clients already have a familiarity with the brand which makes conversions and referrals a much simpler process.” If you share a passion to open a TaxAssist shop in your local community, a TaxAssist franchise can provide the systems and support you need to be successful. Regular Virtual Discovery Days are held, where you can find out more about the technical, marketing and business development support on offer. Call 0800 0188297 or submit an enquiry here to register your interest.

TaxAssist Franchisees across the world invest further into the TaxAssist Direct Group. On 1st February 2022, TaxAssist Direct Group Directors Karl Sandall and Director Phil Sullivan, stood down as executive directors and sold a large percentage of their shares. As a result, TaxAssist franchisees now own almost 60% of The TaxAssist Group Ltd. Over 170 franchisees are now investors in the company, alongside over 40 members of support staff. This is not the first time that franchisees have had the opportunity to purchase shares in The TaxAssist Direct Group. In 2014 when the founder and chairman retired, around half of the network were offered the opportunity to invest in a Franchisee Assisted Management Buyout – the first of its kind in the franchise industry – which saw franchisees owning 32% of the Group. Since then, following the creation of an internal share site which all eligible shareholders have access to, they have been able to trade shares, access company accounts and the group strategic plans for the future. Daren Moore FCCA, the newly appointed Group Managing Director, said: “I would like to thank our fantastic franchise network in all the countries we operate, who have once again provided the ultimate vote of confidence in us as a board and the TaxAssist business model, by overwhelmingly choosing to invest in The TaxAssist Direct Group, a situation which we believe to be unique in franchising. The new investors and the existing shareholders who purchased more shares this time are 100% engaged with our strategic vision, and as shareholders have total transparency in all The Group’s activities. “For the first time in our history we have now appointed a franchisee to the Executive Board. Mike Melling is a highly successful franchisee who has lived and breathed the brand for the last ten years. He will be invaluable to both the Board and his fellow franchisees, who will be able to benefit from his knowledge and understanding of running a practice, which he will continue to operate while undertaking his responsibilities as Group Development Director. “With a detailed plan for the growth and evolution of the TaxAssist brand, plus the addition of new products and services, these are exciting times for the TaxAssist network. “I look forward to meeting with potential franchisees on discovery days and explaining more about the many benefits of joining and investing in the franchise and sharing in the fruits of the Group’s success.” The TaxAssist Accountants network of franchisees consistently highly rate their franchise experience, resulting in TaxAssist Accountants being awarded ‘5-star franchisee’ satisfaction for nine consecutive years, a feat which only four other franchisees have achieved.

The music department at Norwich High School for Girls has enjoyed a very busy start to 2022, welcoming a brand new Assistant Director of Music, Mr Joseph Wistow, following the retirement of Mr Francis Fox. Mr Wistow, a freelance composer, will be predominately based in the Norwich High Prep School, Stafford House, but will work across the whole school including with the GCSE, A-Level and Sixth Form students. A graduate of Leeds College of Music and the Royal College of Music, Mr Wistow joins Norwich High School for Girls from Langley School, and has extensive copying and engraving experience, including private freelance commissions, score preparation for TV and Film recordings, as well as contemporary classical editing for clients including Universal Production Music. Mr Wistow said: “Starting at Norwich High as the Assistant Director of Music has been great fun so far. There is so much warmth around the school from the extremely supportive staff and the wonderful children. There is an exceptional music provision here with a very high standard. It is very impressive how many girls are involved in school music in our numerous choirs, bands, orchestras and chamber ensembles. Making music here is inclusive for all and a big part of the school. “From a Prep School-perspective, it is about creative music provision that is broad and balanced and fits in with a modern music curriculum so the girls use their iPads to compose original music from Year 1 upwards. Using digital technology gives the girls confidence as they can realise their musical ideas instantly which they really enjoy. Along with our provision of lessons for all across instruments including the recorder, violin and ukulele, we have seen a surge in numbers for our Prep School Choir and they are really excited to be learning music from the new Disney movie, Encanto.” Mrs Susan Roberts, Head of Norwich High Prep School and Nursery commented: “We are delighted to welcome Mr Wistow to the teaching staff. He has already made a huge impact and it is lovely to have a renewed buzz around music across the school. We share his vision of making music accessible to all our students. Our Winter Arts Festival in February was a great success, and we were very thankful for Mr Wistow’s contributions which included hosting steel band workshops with the Steel Pan Agency, sessions on music from different cultures for all the girls and his ‘That’s all Folks’ illustrated talk looking at cartoon music.” Regarding joining a girls only school, Mr Wistow added: “Before joining Norwich High, I wasn’t sure what to expect from a girls’ only school. As soon as I arrived for my interview, I knew that this was the place I wanted to work. The students have a confidence, and a willingness to try new things musically. They are creatively very confident when working together as a team. Being in a single-sex environment, they are not worried about judgment or what anyone else thinks – they are free to be themselves. There is such a positive attitude to learning – I find I get through a lot of content in my lessons. The standard of behaviour, positivity and a willingness to learn is evident from our youngest girls up to Sixth Form. It is great witnessing the through-school environment – from the Nursery girls up to our very talented sixth formers, who clearly treasure music. I really enjoyed the Winter Arts Festival and have a busy end to the Spring Term ahead including the Choral Concert at Norwich Cathedral on Saturday 12th March.” Click to find out more about our Prep School and Sixth Form. Buy tickets for the Choral Concert here: https://www.trybooking.co.uk/BMGX

Mrs Thorp hosted the Norwich High School for Girls’ Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Awards Evening on Wednesday 2nd March. Parents, students, staff, volunteers and recent alumnae gathered in Eaton Grove Hall for the first in-person DofE event since the pandemic. DofE participants Betsy, Lara, Isobel, Estelle, Katherine, Eve and Daniella shared their DofE Experience with the audience and Head Miss Sefton awarded the following prizes: 22 Bronze Awards 13 Silver Awards 8 Gold Awards 7 Platinum Awards (The Norwich High School for Girls’ Platinum Award recognises the achievements of all three Awards while being a student at the school). Donations were collected throughout the evening for the England and Wales Mountain Rescue team – sincere thanks to all our staff and volunteers for their valuable contributions. Congratulations to all participants on their achievements and thank you to all attendees. https://www.norwichhigh.gdst.net/duke-of-edinburgh-awards-evening/

Greater Anglia was the most punctual long-distance train operator in the country last year, winning the accolade for the second year in a row, new independent figures reveal. According to a new, even more stringent punctuality measurement, requiring trains to arrive within 59 seconds of their scheduled time at every stop along their journey, 77.05% of its Norwich – Ipswich – Colchester – London Intercity services ran on time during 2021 – 10% more than the second best performing operator during 2021. The score is a slight improvement on 2020 as well, when Greater Anglia was also named most punctual long-distance operator. The figures were announced by Modern Railways Magazine’s Fourth Friday Club and the Chartered Institution of Railway Operators at the industry ‘Golden Whistles’ awards 2022. The Chartered Institution of Railway Operators measured all UK train services for 12 months up to 12th December 2021 on a moving annual average using industry data. They used the new ‘on time’ measurement where trains have to arrive within 59 seconds of their scheduled time, including at all intermediate stations on the journey rather than just at the destination station. This is gradually replacing the national ‘Public Performance Measure’ (PPM) which classes a service as on time if it arrives at its destination within 5 or 10 minutes of its scheduled time, depending on the route and is the punctuality measure in Greater Anglia’s current contract with the Department for Transport. It has been the standard national measure since regular rail performance results started being published in the 1990s. During 2021, Greater Anglia saw record-breaking PPM punctuality across all of its routes – recording its best ever annual average punctuality of 94.81 per cent, up from 92.97% in 2020, with Intercity trains reaching an annual average punctuality result of 94.82% – up from 91.56% in 2020 . The rail industry has committed to working towards using the ‘on time’ figure as the standard measurement. Greater Anglia’s Head of Performance and Planning, Keith Palmer, said: “Although there is more to do to continually improve our performance, this result is a reflection of the huge amount of hard work that has been put in from all at Greater Anglia, alongside our colleagues from Network Rail, to keep performance high.” “Along with Network Rail, we’ve invested millions in reliability improvements across the entire network and the continued roll out of our fleet of brand new trains is helping to provide the consistent and improving levels of service that our customers expect.” Philip Sherratt, Editor of Modern Railways magazine, commented: ‘Greater Anglia has demonstrated consistently strong performance by winning the Gold Whistle for best Long Distance operator for the second year in a row, and indeed it improved performance further over the last year. This is a testament to the hard work put in by so many across the company to maintain high standards.’

A leading children’s charity is celebrating a record-breaking week of eBay success. East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) runs a fast-growing ecommerce operation to support its work caring for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire. It runs in tandem with the charity’s successful bricks and mortar shops, with 44 premises scattered across East Anglia. EACH’S eBay sales have become a vital income stream and there was a recent week of record-breaking success, selling goods worth £12,281. In total, 539 items were sold with an average selling price of nearly £24. It comes on the back of January being the second most successful month so far, generating £40,311. Among the items sold were several quality, high-quality ones, including an OMEGA watch that went for £1,370. Scott Campbell, EACH ecommerce manager, said: “We’re thrilled with the way things are going. “There have been lots of individual successes and the whole operation is going from strength to strength. “The pandemic had an enormous effect and brought a wider audience and variety of customers to our online shop. “COVID forced people to shop online, including those who may never have thought of doing it before. “As a result, we’ve noticed a huge difference and got a really loyal base of supporters. “Pre-pandemic, we had 2,500 followers on eBay and now that figure is 7,000. “These people have instant access to all our listed items and benefit from the wide range of products we sell. “Certain things always go well, like watches, photographic equipment, jewellery, games consoles and retro, collectable toys like train sets. “Then you get some nice surprises.” EACH’s eBay operation generally makes around £1,500 a day and, within an average month, can generate £40,000. Two years ago that monthly figure was £20,000. “Everyone has got behind our eBay operation and 40 of our shops have at least one eBay Champion,” added Scott. “These are people with knowledge and enthusiasm that identify sellable items, take photos of them and list them on eBay. “When that item is sold, it’s sent to us to pack and send. “I’ve been working here for just over two years and am very proud of how the operation has grown. “It’s been incredible and while sales have doubled, it’s also meant twice as much work packing items and sending them out. As a team, we’ve had to keep up so it’s been hard work but very rewarding. “Everything works well and the whole retail side of the charity is very supportive of what we’re trying to achieve. “My goal is to make half a million in the next financial year and I truly believe that’s achievable.” EACH relies on volunteers and is always on the lookout for extra helpers. One of its three eBay volunteers is Andy Temple, who uses his vast knowledge of cameras and photographic equipment to identify sellable items. The 69-year-old, a design engineer during his working life, said: “It’s been a lifelong hobby, since I was ten, and volunteering here is something I really enjoy. “I’m retired and when you reach that stage of your life I believe it’s very important to keep some kind of structure. “If not, you lose the impetus to get out and do things and that’s why I love being involved. “It keeps me going and I like using my knowledge of cameras to make money for the charity. “I trust myself to see the potential in items and list them for a proper, realistic price. “We’ve had occasional successes where a camera might go for £90 or £100 and many other instances where they go for £50 and £60. “We also sell memory cards and that’s another very good way of making money. It’s all about maximising takings.” More volunteers are urgently needed to help EACH’s eBay operation in Thetford. Specific roles to be filled include ‘pickers and packers’ on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, someone to photograph items on a Thursday and Friday and someone to list items on eBay on a Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. “You can offer a shift of two to four hours per week or fortnight, or offer more occasional support as and when you can,” added Scott. “Whatever time you have to offer, we’d love to hear from you. “Get in touch for an informal chat about the roles and to book a taster session.” To enquire about volunteer opportunities in the Thetford area call 01223 205183 or email volunteerservices@each.org.uk Photo – Scott Campbell, EACH ecommerce manager, alongside Rose Fortescue, the manager of our shop in Lime Kiln Way, Thetford (where the eBay operation is based). Please credit EACH.

Broadband provider, Upp, have started rolling out their full-fibre broadband to local businesses in the East of England. Norfolk gym, Diss Fit Club, has become one of the first to experience the transformational effects of Upp’s next-level service. Prior to installing Upp’s broadband, Diss Fit Club had invested in software to revolutionise the experience of its customers. A smartphone app would allow customers to unlock the front door, download personalised training plans and watch demonstration videos. However, there was a problem. Slow broadband speeds meant that the app would not unlock the door and staff had to physically admit members instead. The download speeds were so poor that training plans could not be accessed, and streaming music or videos was virtually impossible. A call to Upp resulted in the swift installation of their super-fast broadband. The next day, the new experiences which the software promised to deliver came to fruition. Operations Manager Anouska Scott said, “Upp has brought our gym into the 21st century”. Entry to the gym is now fast and simple via the app, freeing staff to complete other duties. Gym managers can also monitor the amount of people at the gym in real time, and music or videos can be downloaded in seconds. With the help of Upp’s next-level broadband, Diss Fit Club has revolutionised its offering to members, and the business has been given the chance to grow. Assisting local businesses like Diss Fit Club is central to Upp’s ‘levelling up’ agenda. Edward Money, Head of Brand and Communications at Upp said, “We are delighted to have made a difference to Diss Fit Club and it’s great to see the impact that Upp’s network can make to local businesses.” To find out more about Upp, visit their website: www.upp.com.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGtpscWSKaM&feature=emb_imp_woyt

Norwich High School for Girls is marking International Women’s Day (Tuesday 8th March) by celebrating the success of their all-girl F24 team which was first formed following the second Covid-19 lockdown and has since gone on to considerable success.

The theme for International Women’s Day 2022 is #BreakTheBias “Imagine a gender equal world”.

Formula 24 aims to inspire young people to become engineers by presenting the industry as an interesting and relevant career choice. Norwich High School for Girls began the project to address the issue of underrepresentation of women within the motor racing industry and to provide students with the opportunity to learn how to apply skills and knowledge they’ve learnt in the classroom in the real world.

Fifth and sixth form students submitted 150 words explaining why they would like to be involved with the project. Using and developing their love of STEM, the selected team designed, planned, built, made and raced their own electric F24 race car in a dedicated space within the school grounds. The car had to comply with technical and sporting regulations set out by Greenpower Education Trust.

The Norwich High School for Girls team has since participated in the Greenpower racing series which has taken them to top racing circuits throughout the UK to compete against other students from across the country.

They won the award for Best Newcomer at Lotus’ Hethel test track, finishing in sixth place in their category and eleventh overall, beating several teams with many more years of experience. The girls’ driving was excellent and incredibly consistent, putting in lap time after lap time within fractions of a second of each other. Considering the girls built the car in less than three months, they sailed through the event with no major mechanical issues, except a rather ‘shaky’ start with slightly misaligned steering. A quick fix left the car running smoothly all day.

“We couldn’t be prouder of this wonderful group, they did the school proud!”, said Norwich High School for Girls Head of Science and Physics Mr Gary Hyland.

Norwich High School for Girls Head Miss Alison Sefton commented: “At Norwich High School we are always looking for varied opportunities to inspire and excite the girls and support the idea of learning without limits. We were very fortunate to have received a generous private donation, plus funding from the JP Blanch Foundation Fund, for this exciting project to go ahead. I am delighted to see how well the girls have done with this project. The opportunity to race at the Lotus track was the culmination of a lot of hard work over the last few months and I hope that this is the first of many races for the Norwich High F24 team.”

One of the Norwich High F24 team, Zara Goodwin (Year 11) said: “I am really interested in STEM and F1. I was really keen to take part in the F24 project to get real-life experience of engineering and possibly the racing side of things. As a child I would always be excited to help my uncle (a mechanic) rebuild his tractor, and I have considered in the past having a job with engineering, and this will help give me more options for the future.”

A video for the project can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGtpscWSKaM

This project has since been selected by the group of schools to which Norwich High School for Girls belongs, the GDST (Girls’ Day School Trust), as part of their Spotlight Series which brings to life what it means to be a GDST Girl – confident, happy and fearless, prepared for the opportunities of the future: https://www.gdst.net/where-girls-learn-without-limits/

Mr Wistow, a freelance composer, will be predominately based in the Norwich High Prep School, Stafford House, but will work across the whole school including with the GCSE, A-Level and Sixth Form students. A graduate of Leeds College of Music and the Royal College of Music, Mr Wistow joins Norwich High School for Girls from Langley School, and has extensive copying and engraving experience, including private freelance commissions, score preparation for TV and Film recordings, as well as contemporary classical editing for clients including Universal Production Music.Mr Wistow said: “Starting at Norwich High as the Assistant Director of Music has been great fun so far. There is so much warmth around the school from the extremely supportive staff and the wonderful children. There is an exceptional music provision here with a very high standard. It is very impressive how many girls are involved in school music in our numerous choirs, bands, orchestras and chamber ensembles. Making music here is inclusive for all and a big part of the school. “From a Prep School-perspective, it is about creative music provision that is broad and balanced and fits in with a modern music curriculum so the girls use their iPads to compose original music from Year 1 upwards.” Mr Joseph Wistow, Assistant Director of Music at Norwich High Prep School for Girls “Using digital technology gives the girls confidence as they can realise their musical ideas instantly which they really enjoy. Along with our provision of lessons for all across instruments including the recorder, violin and ukulele, we have seen a surge in numbers for our Prep School Choir and they are really excited to be learning music from the new Disney movie, Encanto.”Mrs Susan Roberts, Head of Norwich High Prep School and Nursery commented: “We are delighted to welcome Mr Wistow to the teaching staff. He has already made a huge impact and it is lovely to have a renewed buzz around music across the school. We share his vision of making music accessible to all our students. Our Winter Arts Festival in February was a great success, and we were very thankful for Mr Wistow’s contributions which included hosting steel band workshops with the Steel Pan Agency, sessions on music from different cultures for all the girls and his ‘That’s all Folks’ illustrated talk looking at cartoon music.” Regarding joining a girls only school, Mr Wistow added: “Before joining Norwich High, I wasn’t sure what to expect from a girls’ only school. As soon as I arrived for my interview, I knew that this was the place I wanted to work. The students have a confidence, and a willingness to try new things musically. They are creatively very confident when working together as a team. Being in a single-sex environment, they are not worried about judgment or what anyone else thinks – they are free to be themselves. There is such a positive attitude to learning – I find I get through a lot of content in my lessons. The standard of behaviour, positivity and a willingness to learn is evident from our youngest girls up to Sixth Form. It is great witnessing the through-school environment – from the Nursery girls up to our very talented sixth formers, who clearly treasure music. I really enjoyed the Winter Arts Festival and have a busy end to the Spring Term ahead including the Choral Concert at Norwich Cathedral on Saturday 12th March.”https://www.norwichhigh.gdst.net/norwich-high-welcomes-new-assistant-director-of-music-mr-joseph-wistow/

I am working with many companies on their VAT submissions and over the last couple of months have encountered a few areas of concern with Postponed Import VAT Accounting (PIVA). There are many companies that do not know that they are using PIVA In my experience they are usually SME’s who have only ever traded with EU countries, who are below the Instrastat threshold, predominantly use couriers, do not have their own deferment account & believe the free trade agreement means there is no change to VAT. When they don’t get a VAT bill from the couriers, it’s not a surprise. ‘Helpfully’ couriers have amended their T&C’s to default to using PIVA unless otherwise advised. Many companies use small accountancy firms to file their returns and they seem to be unaware of this reporting requirement. We advise that companies who haven’t been invoiced import VAT to check via this link to see if they have been using PIVA. Please note in order to access statements, you will be asked to register with CDS through the government gateway. It’s a quick process and registration with CDS will soon be required anyway, when declarations move from HMRC’s CHIEF system to CDS. There are companies out there that are using PIVA when importing items for re-work, repair or servicing This is happening when EU customers send items via a courier to the UK company quoting the GB EORI number of the UK repair company and the courier imports them into Home Use (CPC 40*) and puts G in box 47b to use PIVA to account for the VAT. When filling in the PIVA return the accountant lifts the VAT value from the PIVA statements and enters the value in both boxes 1 and 4 therefore incorrectly reclaiming the import VAT. We advise that to negate the VAT liability companies should use Inward Processing. For frequent importers (above three times a year) this involves obtaining Inward Processing Authorisation from HMRC. Infrequent can use Inward Processing authorisation by Declaration IPabD. You will need a guarantee and to follow the disposal rules submitting a bill of discharge, in order to discharge the VAT and duty liability of the imported goods. There is more to say on PIVA, I will follow up with further information and advice shortly. If your business is affected by any of these issues, I can help, please email me Tracey Renshaw, MD, Import Export Sup

Interested in opening up and expanding your business? Are you a forward-thinking company which already has a message to share? Then come and join the new movement!

At HER Business Revolution, we believe that women have a massive role to play in the future of business. We want to invite you, your company and staff to the Junkyard Market on Friday the 27th of May for a day of B2B networking, open-minded discussions, talks and workshops. Regardless of whether you have female staff you wish to celebrate, you’re looking to diversify or simply wish to reflect on gender equity and the changing face of business- this event is for you.

Superwoman Fest will give your business a chance to interact with others in a positive, inclusive and non-judgmental environment. We aim to give a platform to forward-thinking and innovative voices, who understand that there’s more to gender equality in business than a one-size-fits-all approach.

We invite businesses of all kinds to come along and:

-Take the pledge to support women in business and earn a badge of solidarity. This way you can show your customers and partners that you are committed to making a difference.

–Take a stand (literally!)- become a stand holder and promote your business to others

–Take the stage– If you have something to share about the topic of women in business, take the stage or run a workshop in order to help other businesses

–Enjoy food and drink, networking and events in a relaxed, inclusive environment.

We also encourage businesses who have taken steps towards fighting gender equality in business to enter our ‘Shine the Light’ award ceremony, for further recognition of their efforts.

Your company doesn’t have to specialise in issues around gender equality, or have lots of female staff in order to come along. Your presence alone will show support, send a message to your company’s employees, customers and competitors and help get the ball rolling. We are all learning and growing as one, and everyone is welcome at the festival.

 With Stands starting from £75 + VAT why would you not be there!

If you’re interested in participation or for a free guide with partnership options

 contact shelley@herbusinessrevolution.biz

 Exhibitor Brochure

The UK has committed to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Transport is the largest emitting sector in the UK, responsible for 27% of all our greenhouse gas emissions, with over half of them (55%) coming from cars so electric vehicles (‘EVs’) will help reduce emissions. Under current government proposals, the sale of new petrol and diesel cars will be banned from 2030. The government plans to add up to 145,000 new charge points to England’s grid network each year in the run up to 2030 to service the 14 million EVs expected to be on the roads by the end of the decade.

Achieving these ambitions will require a sufficient EV infrastructure network, including –

• Charge points that are easily accessed across the UK, including at motorway service areas and large fuel retailers
• On-street charge points
• Ensuring local planning policies require developments to include facilities for the charging of EVs
• Uniform standards for charge points
• Installing charge points in all new homes and commercial properties.

This article looks at the last two items on the list.

CHARGE POINTS IN BUILDINGS

Regulations have been made introducing a new Part S into the Building Regulations 2010, which sets out technical requirements for the mandatory installation of EV charge points and/or cable routes when certain types of building work are undertaken.

Key dates

Coming into force on 15 June 2022, the amendments will not apply to building work where a building notice or an initial notice has been given to, or full plans have been deposited with, a local authority before that date, provided that the building work starts before 15th June 2023. There will be a six month transitional period to allow industry to prepare for the new rules.

THE NEW REQUIREMENTS

The technical requirements vary according to the type of work being undertaken.

New residential developments

Where parking spaces are provided within a new residential development, every new dwelling with on-site parking must have a charge point unless the average connection cost exceeds £3600. In developments with more than 10 parking spaces, cable routes must be installed in any parking spaces that would be required to have charge points but for the operation of the cap. The government believes that one charge point will be adequate for the majority of households but cable route requirements will facilitate the installation of additional charge points easily and cheaply in the future.

The £3600 cap, which will be kept under review, is intended to protect developers from excessively high connection costs so that the UK can continue to build the housing stock it needs. To benefit from this exemption, developers will need to provide evidence that the average connection cost exceeds £3600 by submitting at least two formal quotes to the building control body during the notice/plans stage, at least one of which should be from a distribution network operator (‘DNO’).

New dwellings from material change of use

Where one or more dwellings with on-site parking will result from a building undergoing a material change of use, at least one space per new dwelling must have access to an EV charge point unless –

• The existing incoming power supply is insufficient to install all the charge points, or
• The building is listed, a scheduled monument or in a conservation area, where compliance would unacceptably alter the building’s character or appearance.

Where not all the prescribed charge points can be accommodated within the existing electrical supply, the requirements will only apply to the maximum number of charge points that can be accommodated and cable routes for charge points must be installed in all the remaining spaces.

Major renovations to existing dwellings

For example, a block of flats undergoing renovation of over 25% of the building’s surface area, including parking areas.

Residential buildings undergoing major renovation must have at least one EV charge point for each dwelling with on-site parking, and cable routes in every space without charge points, unless –

• The building will not have more than 10 on-site parking spaces after the renovation is complete
• Installation costs exceed 7% of the total renovation costs
• The existing incoming electrical power supply is insufficient to install all the charge points, or
• The building is undergoing renovation for the purposes of fire safety remediation.

Major renovations to commercial buildings

Non-residential buildings undergoing major renovation must have a minimum of one charge point, and cable routes for one-in-five of the total number of spaces unless –

• The building will not have more than 10 on-site parking spaces after the renovation is complete, or
• Installation costs exceeds 7% of the total renovation costs.

New commercial buildings

All new non-residential buildings with more than 10 on-site parking spaces must have a minimum of one charge point, and cable routes for one-in-five of the total number of spaces.

Mixed-use developments

In mixed-use developments, requirements for residential and non-residential buildings will apply according to the number of allocated parking spaces for each use type.

Cable routes: two-tier exemption for all major renovations

For both commercial and residential buildings undergoing major renovation, and in contrast to the exemption for change of use dwellings, developers will be exempt from the cable route requirements as well as the charge point requirements, if the installation costs exceed 7% of the total renovation costs.

Exemption applicable in all cases

The new charge point requirements do not apply to parking spaces in enclosed or open-sided car parks, e.g. basements, those below buildings and multi-stories, although cable route requirements should still be met. This exemption does not apply to individual garages. The government believes further research is necessary into the safety measures in these types of car parks to mitigate and manage fires, on the rare occasion one might occur. It will produce interim guidance for those responsible for such car parks.

MINIMUM SPECIFICATION FOR CHARGE POINTS

Under the new regulations, charge points must have a minimum charging power of 7kW, be at least Mode 3 or equivalent and be untethered. The government believes that these standards will sufficiently future-proof standards for home charging and better enable smart charging, compared to lower powers and other mode types. As these are minimum standards, developers may provide charge points with higher performing kW and Mode if they choose to do so.

NO RETROFITTING FOR COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS

The government decided against introducing its proposed requirement for one charge point in all existing non-residential properties with more than 20 parking spaces because consultees were significantly less supportive of this proposal (too few charge points for large companies and too many for smaller ones). Instead, the government will develop an alternative policy that “is fit for purpose”, with separate legislation.

This means that charge points will only be installed in new or refurbished commercial properties and these regulations will therefore do nothing for householders who do not have off-road parking, estimated to be around 40% of car owners and up to 70% of van owners.

We will look at options for these drivers in our next article.

If you would like further information about installing charge points in homes or commercial properties, please contact Christopher.Cubitt@howespercival.com or Deborah.Caldwell@howespercival.com.

Additional information can also be found at gov.uk

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