Making Tax Digital – a brief guide

As a nation, our connection with digital services is interwoven within our day-to-day activities. The apps on our phones give us information on how busy our commute, live updates on bank balances, advice on what shopping we need to order for the coming week, and business tools such as where staff are working, and tracking suppliers and materials. So having real time information on our taxes is just the next step, right? 

For those who are not aware, HMRC is digitising the tax system in what is the largest shakeup of the personal tax system in a couple of decades.  The aim is to ensure that the process for taxpayers is simplified, and to develop a more efficient tax system with better use of information.  The programme will be rolled out with some groups such as smaller housebuilders and developers being one of the first to be involved.

The project has been named ‘Making Tax Digital’ (MTD), and will apply from April 2019 to unincorporated businesses and landlords with turnover above the VAT threshold (currently £85,000) in relation to VAT only.  The direction of travel is for the entire tax system to be fully digitised, and we should expect to see further businesses come into scope from 2020 onwards.

There are three steps to take now to ensure you are well prepared for the transition:

• 1.    Obtain your Government Gateway account – HMRC is already collecting real time data, and this can be found at www.gov.uk/personal-tax-account. With the onus switching to the taxpayer ensuring that the correct taxes are being collected it is crucial you can access your account.
• 2.    Assess whether your record keeping methods are adequate for the new reporting structure. Having a paper file of receipts alone will no longer be acceptable, and information must at least be accumulated on a spreadsheet which can then be uploaded using specialist MTD software.
• 3.    Consider whether an online accounting product is suitable for your business. The decision to go digital should not just be from a compliance standpoint. There are online products in the marketplace and apps to support their use across many business sectors, helping to save time and money.

Each of these steps will almost certainly introduce further queries, for which you should obtain professional advice. Whilst there are no penalties formalised at this point, although we should expect this to manifest itself after the bedding in process has been completed, and you would want to ensure you do not fall foul of the rules.

One thing is for sure, and that is there is no time for complacency. There may be a couple of years of transition time to keep records digitally, but with other challenges such as Brexit looming, it is well worth preparing for.

In this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes. Well, taxes just got a bit more uncertain, unless you act now.

Jake Standing is a senior manager at accountants Kreston Reeves.  He works with fast growing residential developers focusing particularly on online accounting and virtual FD support.  He can be reached by email: jake.standing@krestonreeves.com.  Visit www.krestonreeves.com.

Renaissance of the Shoreham Harbour Quarter gathers pace

Adur District Council’s long-term ambition to regenerate Shoreham Harbour Quarter and create new high-quality residential and commercial area with riverside promenade and cycle path is moving forward at pace.

The Shoreham Harbour Joint Area Action Plan is intended to guide development in the area and has seen the council working in partnership with Brighton & Hove City Council, West Sussex County Council and Shoreham Port Authority to bring forward proposals for delivering the regeneration of the Harbour.

In December 2017 the Council’s Local Plan was adopted and this identified Shoreham Harbour as a broad location for over 1,000 new homes. In May 2018 the Action Plan was was presented to the government - and even though it has yet to be approved by Whitehall, work on transforming the area is making real progress.

The work also ties in with the activities of Shoreham Port Authority, which has recently updated its masterplan to ensure it grows by up to 25 per cent in the next 15 to 20 years.

Details are provided in the latest edition of Adur & Worthing Councils’ Building AW online magazine, which keeps residents and businesses up-to-date with ongoing developments across the area.

Rodney Lunn, chief executive at Shoreham Port, said: “The next ten years will be as busy as the last. At this stage we have an excellent track record of success and progress has been made faster than anticipated.

“We are on track to create new commercial space, invest in port facilities and infrastructure and generate jobs within a relatively short time frame. As well as contributing to wide scale regeneration, our work will develop the increased capacity required to achieve 25% growth in trade over the Masterplan period.”

The Joint Area Action Plan pledges to see Shoreham Harbour “transformed into a vibrant, thriving waterfront destination comprising a series of sustainable, mixed-use developments alongside a consolidated and enhanced Shoreham Port which will continue to play a vital role in the local economy”.

It adds that “the redevelopment of key areas of the harbour will provide benefits for the local community, natural environment, and economy through increased investment, improved leisure opportunities, enhanced public realm and the delivery of critical infrastructure that will help respond positively to climate change”.

Shoreham Port Authority is consolidating operations and improving facilities in the eastern end of the harbour. This creates an opportunity to redevelop vacant and underused sites to provide new workplaces and homes.

The largest area of development is at the Western Harbour Arm, between Shoreham town centre and Kingston Beach There are also development sites at Southwick, and across the Brighton & Hove boundary at South Portslade and Aldrington Basin.

As well as the new development, proposals include new flood defences along the river and coast; new and improved routes for cyclists and pedestrians; renewable energy generation to provide low carbon and affordable energy and heat; new green spaces and wildlife corridors; and transport improvements to roads and junctions.

All the details are provided within Building AW, which is a bright, informal 26-page online publication.

Features in the July edition include details on a planned new health hub in the heart of Worthing thanks to Worthing Borough Council working with local NHS providers; the start of work on a new £10 million office development in Ham Road, Shoreham, which will secure more than 200 local jobs; and details on the signing of a Gigabit ultrafast internet provision which is coming to the area soon.

The online publication also includes regular updates on some of the major projects across Adur and Worthing which are moving forward at speed.

In their introductions to the edition, leaders said there are great strides being made in terms of redevelopment and growth.

Councillor Brian Boggis, Adur District Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “Contrary to popular belief, the regeneration of places takes time. But after 20 years of talking about the renaissance of Shoreham Harbour, I’m delighted to say that the pieces are falling into place.

“Developments are coming forward, the Tidal Walls flood defence scheme is nearing completion, the port itself is investing in new commercial space - all of this feeds into our wider Joint Area Action Plan vision which is set to be finalised in the next few months.”

Councillor Kevin Jenkins, Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, said: ”It’s an obvious truth that if you want to rebuild you have to pull down before you can put up. That is what we are doing in Worthing. You can all see now that the old Teville Gate multi-storey car, the part of the site owned by us, has now been demolished.

“As with Teville so with other sites across the borough. Gradually we are bringing forward plans to improve our town, replacing old, worn-out sites with schemes for jobs, homes, leisure and retail, helping to secure our future.”

To read the third edition of Building AW visit here.

New chairman tells residents of Greater Brighton Region: We are stronger together

The new chairman of the Greater Brighton Region today sent out a rallying cry to nearly one million residents: By sticking together we can make a real difference to our communities.

Councillor Garry Wall assumed the chairmanship of the Greater Brighton Economic Board this week and in a first interview he revealed his ambition to expand the region which currently covers the local authority areas of Brighton, Lewes, Adur, Worthing, Crawley, and Mid Sussex. It also includes Gatwick Airport.

Cllr Wall, who is leader of Mid Sussex District Council, said: “I am very ambitious for Greater Brighton. We have had a very good five years, bringing in multi-million pound investments and now we need to go even further.

“I want us to continue attracting investment but I also want us now to do much more, to shout about our region, tell of our success but also continue to press for more investment so that we can continue to make a strong contribution to the health of the UK economy.”

Cllr Wall said he bring more partners to the Region by helping them understand how successful it has been. In the last five years Greater Brighton has attracted investment to major projects totalling more than £160m.

Among the major projects funded or partly funded through Greater Brighton have been the Adur Tidal Walls, University of Brighton Advanced Engineering Centre, Newhaven Enterprise Zone, the Northern Arc in Burgess Hill, Forge Wood in Crawley, North Street Quarter in Lewes and Union Place in Worthing.

Cllr Wall said: “I’m keen for us to look to expand because the more partners we have, the bigger the area and population, the greater the diversity of businesses,  the more power we have to attract investment and to make our voice heard.

“On our own as local authorities or businesses of course we can do a lot but together we can achieve even more.

“Today we are connected as a region, we travel to work, rest and play from one part of it to the other, we are bound together in wealth creation, creativity and energy. If one part of the Region is successful it benefits us all.”

The Greater Brighton Region came into being in 2014 as part of the government’s devolution policies to give more control and power to the regions of England and which saw some opt to introduce a directly-elected Mayor to run the show.

In Greater Brighton the aim of protecting and growing the Region’s economy through creative, innovative initiatives which coordinate  economic development activities and investment throughout the area.

Six local authorities are involved, the districts of Mid Sussex, Adur, and Lewes, the boroughs of Worthing and Crawley and the city council of Brighton & Hove, with the chairman of the Greater Brighton Economic Board being taken by leaders of each on an annual basis.

In addition education providers the Universities of Sussex and Brighton and the Greater Brighton Metropolitan College are on the board as are several business partnerships and other bodies including Gatwick Airport and the South Downs National Park Authority.

Greater Brighton is home to more than 900,000 people and there are 340,000 jobs in 40,000 businesses creating a diverse, vibrant, economic community. The Centre for Cities has rated Greater Brighton in the top 5 for jobs growth in the last 10 years and 37,000 more jobs are expected to be created by 2030.

However Cllr Wall warns there are no grounds for complacency and points to organisations like the Northern Powerhouse and the East Midlands Engine, similar organisations to Greater Brighton, lobbying for resources to be spent further north have stolen a march.

He said: “In a sense we have some catching up to do. Although we are a strong contributor to the wellbeing of the UK economy we must continue to convince that we need help to keep making that contribution.

“We also need to show government that we have our problems too despite common misconceptions. We have pockets of deprivation and we have skill shortages for which we need help. Our work is far from over.”

ETI staff support local beach clean

Staff from Electronic Temperature Instruments Limited (ETI) have participated in a Beach Clean event in Worthing, West Sussex this week.  Over 90 members of staff split into ten groups volunteered to collect rubbish from Worthing beach and seafront between Monday 25^th and Friday 29^th June 2018.

Jason Webb, ETI’s Commercial Director commented “The Beach Clean which was organised with the Councils support, was a huge success and we managed to fill 18 bin bags full of rubbish. This was a fantastic opportunity for staff to give back to the community and this initiative fits well with our ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility and Green policies.  Plastic in the oceans is one of the biggest problems facing our environment today and we were pleased to run this campaign in a bid to help raise awareness of the problem.”

Located on the East Worthing Trading Estate, ETI was founded in 1983 and is the UK’s leader in the manufacture and design of electronic thermometers and temperature probes. This year they won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation, the fourth Queen’s Award for the company since gaining its first in 2012.

Electronic Temperature Instruments Ltd

Easting Close, Worthing, West Sussex BN14 8HQ

Phone 01903 202151   email sales@etiltd.com

www.etiltd.com

METALL Launches Masterclass Series for Sussex & Surrey Manufacturers

Manufacturers keen to develop a flexible digital production strategy are being invited to join free masterclasses being organised by METALL, the Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Alliance supporting businesses across Sussex and south Surrey.

METALL launched its new masterclass series at its latest event, at the South Lodge Hotel, Horsham, where Asif Moghal from Autodesk outlined how digital systems have the power to transform traditional silo-based design, manufacture and sale of products into one single, connected discipline.

“Digitalisation opens up opportunities for a more collaborative, flexible and personalised approach to designing, making and selling products,” he said. “This enables businesses to deliver greater product customisation, which can be the springboard to a range of connected, insight-based services and lead to ‘competitive separation’…creating a unique position in the market place.”

Asif also outlined the Future of British Manufacturing Initiative (www.autodesk.co.uk/fobmi), a collaboration between leading industry organisations like Autodesk, Lloyds Bank, Simon-Kucher & Partners, several universities, as well as MHA of which MHA Carpenter Box is a core partner. FOBMI offers practical help to small and medium size manufacturers who are interested in understanding how to make better products, sell more and generate greater profits in the so-called fourth industrial revolution driven by digitalisation (Industry 4.0). The programme includes free access to ‘digital catalysts’ – students from the UK’s leading design and engineering universities who can help companies fast-track the adoption of digital technologies.

METALL’s new masterclass series will also include sessions on top tax tips, employment and employee retention, as well as marketing for manufacturing and engineering businesses. The forum, supported by chartered accountants and tax advisors MHA Carpenter Box, asb law and technical recruitment specialists CBSbutler, will bring together Sussex coast and Gatwick Diamond manufacturing businesses to help them grow their businesses, network, share best practice and meet their challenges and take their opportunities.

To find out more about the upcoming masterclass series, visit www.metall.org.uk/masterclasses

Our photo (l-r) shows Neil Gardner (asb law), Asif Moghal (Autodesk), Chris Coopey (MHA Carpenter Box) and Alisna Magar (CBSbutler).

Hospice nurse shortlisted for British Heart Foundation ‘Heart Hero’ award

A specialist nurse at local hospice St Barnabas House has been shortlisted for a British Heart Foundation ‘Heart Hero’ award.

Michaela Wheatley, Advanced Heart Failure Nurse Specialist at the Worthing-based hospice, was nominated for the award by the family of a patient she supported at the end of his life.

John Crammond (known as Ian) was referred to St Barnabas House by the Cardiac Unit at Worthing Hospital.

His grandson, Harry Finnigan, said: “Michaela visited Grandpa at home and went through some very difficult questions with my mum, aunt and Grandpa to ensure his wishes were met. She was with us the whole way until he died.

“Michaela gave us all more valuable time with Grandpa during his last few weeks and made his life more comfortable, enabling him to have a dignified death surrounded by those he loved.”

St Barnabas House made the decision in 2016 to introduce a new Disease Specific Nursing Team in order to provide specialist palliative care for patients with specific illnesses, including Advanced Heart Failure.

The Advanced Heart Failure Service aims to provide a high quality service, managing the symptoms and providing specialist support for the psychological and emotional needs that may occur as a result of Advanced Heart Failure.

Michaela first learned of her nomination for a Heart Hero award in April. On Friday 13 July she received an official invitation, confirming she had made it down to the final three nominees.

She said: “I feel very honoured to have been nominated for this award. I am really quite overwhelmed as it is always a wonderful feeling when our hard work and dedication is recognised

“It was a privilege to have been able to support Ian and his family and I am grateful that they have taken the time to pass on their thanks in such a lovely and thoughtful way. It really is important this service is recognised for the work we are doing here as the Advanced Heart Failure Service is still relatively new.”

The BHF Heart Hero Awards will take place at The Swan Restaurant, which is based underneath Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London, on Friday 5 October 2018.

You can find more information about the Advanced Heart Failure Service provided by St Barnabas House at www.stbh.org.uk/heartservice

Brooklands Park boardwalk takes shape

The renovation work at Brooklands Park continues apace...

As wildlife and flowers continue to find the park’s wetlands a safe haven in the hot summer weather, the environmental management team from Five Rivers Environmental Contracting has returned to work on the new boardwalk.

Built on an oak base and with a decking made of highly durable recycled plastic, it will wind its way up the western side of the lake.

Ben Sharp, Environmental Site Manager for Five Rivers, said:

“All credit to the Council for using this recycled material. I’d not seen it before and it’s very tough and quite impressive. The great advantage of the boardwalk is that you are actually on the water which brings you much closer to the wonderful flora and fauna in and around the edges of the lake.”

The team is also due to install a floating raft for nesting terns and a floating island for wildlife on the lake. The work will continue until late August. The new work and habitats will then be allowed to rest for about six weeks before the fencing around the lake is removed.

Councillor Edward Crouch, Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for Digital & Environmental Services, said:

“I am impressed with the pace of the work at Brooklands and excited to see the boardwalk taking shape. It’s really encouraging to see what can be done when the strong community spirit represented by the Friends of Brooklands Park works together with the Council to make things happen.”

Worthing Borough Council has funded a six-month programme to drain the lake removing tonnes of silt that had accumulated over the years, rebuild banks with new flora and create a new island on the lake to be used by wildlife.

Rags to riches for Worthing textile recycling

It’s been a bumper year for recycling textiles and old clothes in Worthing.

A record 100 tonnes of materials has been donated to 14 textile recycling banks in the town. This is nearly 50 per cent more than the year before, generating over £20,000 for charitable projects, £8,000 more than in the previous year.

The money raised is distributed by local charity Community Chest to support projects in Worthing which promote social and economic well being. Grants of up to £1,500 have been paid out to groups such as the Worthing Rugby Minis, One Love Worthing  and Worthing Children’s Parade.

And there is no need to stop donating now. With the school year at an end, think about donating those old, but clean, hole-in-the-toe school socks and that school blouse which has seen one too many a wash.

A Council spokeswoman said: “This really is a wonderful achievement. Not only are we sending fewer textiles to landfill, but we are raising money for local charities. I wonder if we can recycle even more over the next year?”

Click here to see where you can donate your old clothes and textiles: http://www.worthingcommunitychest.org/donate-your-old-clothes/

Worthing Churches Homeless Project has a couple of Trustee vacancies

Worthing Churches Homeless Project (WCHP) are seeking to recruit new trustees to become part of our Board. WCHP have been supporting homeless and insecurely housed people in Worthing and surrounding areas for over 25 years. The charity has grown considerably and now offer services in Horsham, Mid Sussex and Littlehampton. Last financial year (2017/18) we worked with over 1,700 clients across all our projects. We have a highly committed and effective volunteer community of over 300 and over 100 paid staff. Our vision is for a community where no local person needs to sleep out and everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their potential.

The voluntary trustee role brings with it various responsibilities, such as governing the affairs of the charity and ensuring it is financially sound; along with a commitment to attend scheduled meetings throughout the year.

No specific qualifications are necessary to become a trustee. We currently have several vacancies and welcome applications from anyone interested in our charitable mission, with both the willingness and enthusiasm to offer their expertise and time. We hope to increase the board’s diversity and therefore welcome applications from all our community. For one of our vacancies we are appealing to those who have specific skills and experience in community engagement and fundraising.

Being a trustee is a rewarding and enriching experience as emphasized by our Chair of Trustees, Ian Mintram: “.. it has been a great opportunity to continue to learn and develop, whilst contributing to WCHP.” To find out more about our current board please read their profiles

Should you have any questions about the trustee role you can download further information below. Additionally, you are welcome to have an informal telephone conversation with our current Chair of Trustees.

Please complete the application form and send an up-to-date CV, if you have one, to: sarah.clark@wchp.org.uk

Closing date for applications: Thursday 23rd August 2018 (midnight)
Interviews held on Friday 7th September 2018 at Worthing Town Hall

For more information click here

Nelson Mandela, Centenary Address at Indigo Restaurant 

 August 1^st 2018 7:00pm - 9:30pm 

 The Reverend Colin Chambers was the Prison Chaplain on Robben Island for 12 years of Nelson Mandela’s internment during which they built a very strong friendship that lasted to the very end of the Presidents life.

Colin will share with you his experiences on Robben Island along with those of its interns and reflect on the life and legacy of the late President.

The Menu

Poached fillet of salmon and prawns, cucumber, mint and dill yoghurt, mixed leaves, cherry tomatoes, hot new potatoes.

Crispy leg of slow cooked leg of duck, sweet potato, organic plum sauce, green beans

Chickpea cake, red pepper and olive tapenade, caponata and rocket V/VG

 …

Caramel roasted pineapple, Toasted coconut ice cream, Passion fruit syrup

 Steeped raspberry trifle

 A selection of British and European cheese, Biscuits and homemade pickle

 …

Freshly ground coffee.

Tea infusions

Brownies

 £21:00 per person

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Call 01903 230451

Email: reservations@indigorestaurant.info