Stanford Legal Services recognised for excellence and innovation ahead of national awards ceremony.

Paul Stanford of Stanford Legal Services has been recognised for his commitment to innovation, service excellence, client experience and expertise having been shortlisted at a prestigious national awards ceremony in Estate Planning Consultant of the Year.

The British Wills and Probate Awards was launched in 2018 to recognise and celebrate the firms, businesses and individuals who have delivered outstanding service and expertise to clients across the wills and probate/private client sector; and is widely considered to be an indicator of excellence and trust.

Firms shortlisted have been through a rigorous process of independent scrutiny by a panel of industry professionals who arrive at the final shortlists. The winners will be announced on the 10^th October 2024 at the gala ceremony in Manchester.

Commenting on his success, Director of Stanford Legal Services, Paul Stanford said:

“I am delighted to be shortlisted for the Estate Planning Consultant of the Year award. This nomination reflects my unwavering commitment to exceptional customer service, technical knowledge, and innovative solutions. Over the years, I have strived to assist others and engage with the community, all while focusing on continuous improvement, training, and development. This dedication has allowed me to consistently exceed client expectations, as reflected in numerous 5-star Google reviews. It is an honour to be recognised as a trusted, competent, and reliable estate planning legal services adviser.

Stanford Legal Services, led by Paul Stanford, continues to set the standard in estate planning. Paul's leadership and expertise makes him a go-to resource for complex estate planning needs, earning him a stellar reputation in the industry.”

British Wills and Probate Awards Headline Sponsor CTT Group Director Clive Ponder TEP said

“It’s an absolute pleasure and a privilege to once again be headline sponsors. The BWAP Awards recognise the very best in our industry and having the honour of being a judge this year, I’ve seen first hand the talent and dedication, and the heights of achievement this industry can reach”

“Huge congratulations to all those who’ve been shortlisted for the awards. I look forward with great enthusiasm to the 2024 winners being announced at this year’s event in Manchester in October.”

The British Wills and Probate Awards is the largest event dedicated to recognising excellence in the industry. It is hosted by Today’s Media, the publishers of trade publication Today’s Wills and Probate, an online news publication for solicitors, will writers and probate practitioners.

Further details about The British Wills and Probate Awards 2024 are available at www.britishwillsandprobateawards.co.uk. 

Join Tree Action in Making a Greener Future

Tree Action is a Community Interest Company dedicated to organising tree planting and maintenance projects on school grounds and public land. Since 2020, we have funded and organised seven school tree-planting projects in Sussex, planting between 20 to 50 trees per school. Our projects aim to connect young people and nature, and improve the local environment.

Recent Case Study: Oak Grove College

We recently completed a project at Oak Grove College in Worthing. A group of enthusiastic students participated in a plum tree planting day, which included preparing the ground, planting the trees, and adding stakes for support. This initiative expanded an existing small orchard, enhancing the school’s green space.

In addition to some fruit trees, the children planted silver birch trees to help maintain a mixed woodland and absorb pollution from the nearby road. The students have taken on the responsibility of regularly watering each tree to ensure their healthy growth. This project is a school-wide effort, with many year groups participating in various activities such as weeding and watering to help maintain the trees planted.

Many schools don’t have the time or resources to deliver a tree planting project on school grounds, so we fundraise and plan projects for them, enabling students to connect with and appreciate nature and contribute to combatting climate change.

We are asking for donations to continue our work. By becoming a regular donor or corporate partner, you can make a significant impact on our local environment and community, and fulfill your sustainability goals too. In return for your support, your company is welcome to engage staff in our tree-planting projects in the Adur and Worthing area. Additionally, you can display our ‘We Help Tree Action Plant Trees’ logo on your website, to showcase your commitment to sustainability.

For more information, please feel free to visit our website at: www.treeactionuk.org

Or contact us at ricky@treeaction.org.uk

St Mary’s Church in Horsham receives commemorative plaque to mark award-winning renovation

Handover ceremony after Pilbeam Construction named as winner in Sussex Heritage Trust Awards. 

St Mary’s Church in Horsham has a received a special plaque after a renovation project at the church by Southwick firm Pilbeam Construction won a Sussex Heritage Trust award.

The aim of the renovation was to improve flexibility of space in the South Aisle of the Grade-1 listed building in Causeway, Horsham, which in part dates back to 1247.

It also saw underfloor heating installed, creating a comfortable space for people to take refreshments during concerts and after services.

Judges were so impressed with the sensitive way it was achieved that they awarded the project first place in the Ecclesiastical category.

Now, having picked up the award in a ceremony at Lancing College Chapel, Pilbeam returned to Horsham to hand over a commemorative plaque to the church.

Nick O’Riordan at St Mary’s said: “We’re absolutely delighted with this award-winning project and the way it has transformed the space at St Mary’s.

“A lot of people have remarked on how wonderful it looks, completely in keeping with this very special and historic building.

“Many congratulations to Pilbeam Construction for being honoured in this way and for working with us so closely on the project. We’ll be very proud to display the plaque and to welcome people to enjoy the South Aisle at St Mary’s with us.”

Expertise was required to complete the renovation, which included digging down to put in insulation for underfloor heating pipes before adding a screed layer and ceramic tiles.

These were then topped with stylish Clipsham Stone tiles, expertly laid next to the church’s existing Victorian floor tiles.

All these works needed to be carried out with minimal disruption and damage to the fabric of the building, including the church’s famous Father Willis organ.

Alan Corbett, managing director at Pilbeam Construction, said: “This was a special project to be involved in and we were delighted to see it win an award.

“Then to come back and present a plaque to our friends at St Mary’s, and see for ourselves how well the project has been received, was inspiring. We hope the newly renovated space will be used and appreciated for many years to come.”

For more information please visit: https://www.pilbeamconstruction.co.uk/

Criminal Groups Targeting Charities and Not For Profit Landowners in the South East

 We have received a message from the Environmental Crime Agency asking that we raise awareness around the risks of serious and organised waste crime to landowners, who can leave charitable organisations with substantial clean up costs, that can run into tens of thousands of pounds. 

There is a criminal group currently operating across the South East, where offenders have targeted scout groups.

The offenders’ method involves making an unsolicited approach to charity landowners in person/phone call or email offering free or low-cost landscaping/resurfacing, sometimes in exchange for storing some ‘soil’ on your land. 

The material is waste that has been processed, and to the untrained eye can look like a pile of soil. The cost of clearance falls to the landowner including the landfill tax, which can be substantial. A charity site has been targeted this year in Berkshire and approximately 100,000 tonnes of processed waste has been tipped. 

It is highly likely that offenders are currently scouting for new land, although two individuals were arrested for these offences on the 19th June 2024 and are currently on bail whilst investigative enquiries continue.

Please find some information here for the benefit of charity and not for profit landowners. The offenders are experienced and well organised, so please encourage your staff and volunteers if they are approached by individuals or companies offering to do free or low-cost landscaping, resurfacing or similar, be suspicious and to report their concerns promptly to the Environment Agency (0800 80 70 60) or via Crimestoppers.

GWCA Partner with Worthing Football Club

GWCA Solicitors are delighted to announce that we have partnered with Worthing Football Club and become a premium sponsor for the upcoming 2024/2025 season.

Worthing Rebels have played at Woodside Road since 1901 and are the most successful team in the Sussex Senior Cup, having won the competition 22 times. The club has gained two promotions to the National League South and the Rebels finished the 2022/23 season in their highest-ever league position in their 137-year history.

GWCA Solicitors started out in in 1915 and, like the football club, has been at the heart of the Sussex community ever since. We have a great reputation for helping people with life’s big decisions. This partnership with Worthing F.C will help develop and strengthen relationships with current and prospective clients, together with key local business and communities.

GWCA have been a statement of the Sussex legal community for over 100 years and have prided themselves by being the largest local solicitor firm in Sussex and the South coast, providing legal services for individuals and businesses. Our offices are in local towns around Worthing and across the South coast. We are proud of our strong ties with the local communities and organisations.

As part of the sponsorship, GWCA Solicitors will have prominent advertising areas within The Sussex Transport Community Stadium. You will see this as you walk into the stadium on the fencing to your left, around the pitch and in match day programmes.

Emma Chatwell, GWCA Senior Partner said “We are a local firm keen to support and promote other local businesses and are delighted to become the clubs’ one of the clubs’ premium sponsors. We are proud to stand with Worthing Football Club and look forward to supporting them as we support all existing and new clients, in every aspect of their lives.”

Bennett Griffin LLP Acquires Charles Hill Hubbard LLP: A New Chapter in Legal Excellence

Bennett Griffin LLP, the award-winning solicitors firm based in Worthing, is delighted to announce its acquisition of Charles Hill Hubbard LLP, a respected legal practice in Chichester.

This strategic move marks an exciting milestone for both firms and promises to enhance the legal services available to clients in the region.

Earlier this year, Bennett Griffin opened its second office in Eastgate, Chichester.

The incorporation of Charles Hill Hubbard LLP into Bennett Griffin LLP brings together two firms with shared values and a commitment to providing high-quality legal services.

All at Charles Hill Hubbard LLP will join the Bennett Griffin team in Chichester, ensuring continuity and a seamless transition for clients.

Managing Partner at Bennett Griffin, Kate Hallin, said she was excited about the acquisition:

“We are thrilled to welcome everyone from Charles Hill Hubbard to the Bennett Griffin team. This represents a significant step forward in our mission to provide quality legal services in Chichester and beyond.

“The clients of Charles Hill Hubbard can look forward to an expanded range of services, greater capacity and support as well as enhanced technology to ensure their cases progress efficiently but still with the high level of knowledge and expertise they are used to receiving

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to the team at Charles Hill Hubbard for their exceptional work and dedication over the years. Their legacy of excellence in property and private client work will continue to thrive under the Bennett Griffin umbrella.”

Founded over 100 years ago, Charles Hill Hubbard LLP has been a cornerstone of the Chichester legal community, specialising in property and private client work.

Dominic Ryan and Christopher Spirit, current Partners of Charles Hill Hubbard, shared their excitement about the move:

“We are proud of our history and the strong relationships we have built with our clients. Joining Bennett Griffin LLP allows us to offer our clients an even broader spectrum of legal services while maintaining the high standards they have come to expect. We are excited about the future and the opportunities this acquisition brings.”

Bennett Griffin LLP is known for its forward-thinking approach and commitment to the local community.

The firm actively supports various local causes, including St Barnabas House and Worthing Pride.

With this acquisition, Bennett Griffin LLP continues to strengthen its presence in West Sussex, offering expert and friendly legal advice to individuals, families, and businesses.

Clients of both firms can be assured of the same dedication to excellence, with the added benefits of increased resources and expertise.

For more information about Bennett Griffin LLP's services, please visit www.bennettgriffin.co.uk or contact their Chichester office at 01243 256370

Sussex Transport - a New Truck and a Rosette

We are thrilled to share that Sussex Transport recently participated in, and won a rosette, at the UK Road Transport Expo. Invited by our esteemed partners at Palfinger UK. This annual event, held at the prestigious Road Transport Expo, showcases the latest innovations and excellence in the transport industry.

About the UK Road Transport Expo

The UK Road Transport Expo is a premier event that brings together key players in the transport and logistics industry to exhibit their cutting-edge vehicles and technologies. This year’s expo featured a diverse range of exhibitors, providing attendees with insights into the latest advancements and trends shaping the future of road transport.

Palfinger UK: Leading the Way in Lorry Loader Cranes

Palfinger UK, a renowned name in the crane and lifting industry, is celebrated for its innovative solutions and exceptional quality. As the official UK distributor for Palfinger lorry cranes, Palfinger UK has been setting benchmarks in the industry for decades. Their expertise extends to providing comprehensive in-house assembly, bespoke body-building, and dedicated servicing throughout the equipment’s lifecycle.

Our Award-Winning Showcase

We are incredibly proud to announce that our Volvo FH500, equipped with the Palfinger PK 580 Tec 7 crane and a custom-built Palfinger body, was awarded the prestigious ‘Best in Show’ rosette at the expo. This accolade is a testament to the superior craftsmanship and advanced technology of the Palfinger team, as well as our commitment to excellence in our fleet.

Palfinger UK

We are delighted to award our 'Best in Show' rosette to Sussex Transport and Andy Packham for their Volvo FH500 with Palfinger PK 580 Tec crane and Palfinger body built in our Devizes workshop. What a beautiful vehicle. This vehicle will be on our stand for the next two days, so pop along to see it for yourself.

A Word of Thanks

From all of us at Sussex Transport, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Palfinger UK for their invitation and outstanding hospitality at the expo. Your recognition and support mean the world to us.

Andy Packham - Lifting & Training Manager

"I am honored to have represented Sussex Transport at the UK Road Transport Expo and to receive the 'Best in Show' award for our Volvo FH500 with the Palfinger PK 580 Tec crane. This experience has been incredibly rewarding, and I want to thank Palfinger UK for their exceptional hospitality and the opportunity to showcase our vehicle. It's partnerships like these that drive our success and innovation in the industry."

Local Care Home Company Recognised for Outstanding Care

GoodOaks Sussex South Wins Prestigious Award National Award

GoodOaks Homecare Sussex South has been honoured with the Top 20 Home Care Provider Award presented by Homecare.co.uk . This prestigious award recognises outstanding achievements and commitment to excellence in providing quality care at home.

Homecare.co.uk the UK's number one Home Care website for reviews – and this award is voted for my Homecare users

GoodOaks Sussex was awarded Top 20 Home Care Provider Award  for exceptional customer satisfaction, which has made a significant impact in the lives of people in Sussex. This recognition is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and innovation of the entire GoodOaks team.

Rebecca Drew Director of GoodOaks Sussex says:

"We are incredibly honoured to receive the Top 20 Home Care Provider Award from Homecare.co.uk This award reflects our team's unwavering commitment to excellence and our passion for delivering quality care at home. We are proud of what we have achieved and look forward to continuing to make a positive impact in our local communities."

We support people from Brighton through to Littlehampton and our teams of Carers are constantly being complimented on the great jobs that they are doing.

Co-Founder Ben Ashton commented: “I am absolutely thrilled and immensely proud of GoodOaks  Sussex accomplishments over the past year. There is fierce competition for these awards, and this award is testament to the team’s dedication and the strides forward that they are making to enhance the lives of people in our local communities. It’s a real honour for the team be recognised for their commitment to the sector and their passion to provide the highest quality of care at home.” 

Construction has begun on the Worthing Heat Network - the town’s first major step towards becoming net zero.

The heat network is at the centre of Worthing Borough Council’s Carbon Neutral Plan, identified as the most economic and efficient way to decarbonise the town’s Civic Quarter. The heat network will enable connected buildings to reduce their heating emissions by around 90%.

Hemiko, who were selected by Worthing Borough Council to develop the heat network, said it will take about 15 months to construct the first phase of the heat network and connect the first buildings.

Chris Horner, Project Manager for the Worthing Heat Network said, “You might have seen us around town already – we’ve been digging trial holes to double check what is under the ground. Next week we will begin construction inside the grounds of the Worthing Hospital.”

Hemiko are hosting a community engagement event on Thursday 1st August, 6.30pm to 8.30pm, at the Gordon Room in Worthing Town Hall. This event is open to everyone to drop in and meet the team. It is a chance to find out more about the heat network.

Hemiko are working closely with West Sussex County Council’s Highways Team to ensure that construction of the Worthing Heat Network will result in the least possible impact to road and pavement users.

Heat networks are an alternative to gas boilers - they provide low carbon heating and hot water. They work by collecting local unused heat, turning it into hot water and distributing that hot water to local users via a network of underground pipes. Heat networks are commonplace in Scandinavia and are necessary to meet the UK’s carbon targets. 

The first buildings to connect will be Worthing Town Hall, Worthing Hospital, Assembly Hall, Portland House, Worthing Museum & Art Gallery, and Connaught Theatre, with more to come over time. This first phase alone is expected to save 3,000 tonnes of carbon a year, the equivalent to taking 2,000 cars off the road.

You can find out more here

Are you keeping on top of the changes at Companies House in 2024?

Anyone setting up, running, owning or controlling a company in the UK will soon need to verify their identity as a result of far-reaching changes being introduced by Companies House.

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency (ECCT) Act, which received Royal Assent on 26^th October 2023, introduces the biggest changes to Companies House rules since 1844 and is designed to tackle economic crime and improve the accuracy of information filed by businesses.

Melissa Hardwick, Senior Manager in the Company Secretarial team at Sussex and South East accountancy firm Carpenter Box, commented: “The ECCT Act will bring much needed improvements to the accuracy of the information held at Companies House.

“Companies House will have greater powers to challenge new and existing information held on Registers and there are now serious consequences for unlawful activities or inaccurate information including penalties and prosecution. The new regime will help to protect an individual’s personal information from fraud and ensure all companies on the UK register are run responsibly, transparently and with accountability.”

In addition to the new requirement to verify identities, companies will need to provide both a registered e-mail and postal address when filing annual Confirmation Statements, as well as confirming their future activities will be lawful. There will also be changes to filing options for small company accounts.    

“There are many changes on their way over the next 18 months,” says Melissa, “so, the advice is to stay in touch with your business adviser to make sure you don’t fall foul of the new requirements. The changes will have a significant impact in particular on all new and existing company directors, people with significant control (PSCs) of a company and anyone who files on behalf of a company.”

Carpenter Box advises that submission deadlines will be more strict in the future, and that non-compliance could lead to criminal proceedings, civil penalties, incorporation rejections, the inability to file statutory documents and disqualification from acting as a director.

If you are in any doubt, refer to your business adviser or the Carpenter Box Company Secretarial Team (https://www.carpenterbox.com/contact-us/).

www.carpenterbox.com