07777683637 rlloydpr@btinternet.com

Press releases

New tool promotes Carmarthenshire’s meeting and event venues

Posted By Robert Lloyd

A free tool to find out all the available community facilities on offer in the county is being launched by Carmarthenshire County Council.

The council’s Property Division is currently contacting the county’s public sector, town and community councils, third sector and local businesses, in order to create a ‘one-stop-shop’ of all the locations in Carmarthenshire which provide venues for meetings, events and more.

The project is being supported by One Voice Wales.

All the information will be available to view on the council’s website in coming months.

Cllr David Jenkins, executive board member responsible for resources, said: “This will be a great free service to promote many venues in the county, which will hopefully increase business and provide additional income to them. “It will also make it easier for those who are searching for meeting or venue locations in the county to find them all with one click of a button.”

For more information on how to provide your details please contact the Property Records Team on 01267 246222 or email envpropertyassets@carmarthenshire.gov.uk

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Press releases

Customer service excellence rewarded at Aberystwyth University

Posted By Robert Lloyd

The quality of the customer service provided by Aberystwyth University’s Information Services (IS) department has been acknowledged by an independent review.

IS, which provides a broad range of library and information technology services across all areas of the University, has been awarded its Customer Service Excellence accreditation for three more years.

The review by Customer Services Excellence assessor Anthony Lishman also concluded that Information Services went beyond what would be expected in eight areas.

As a result, the team has been awarded Compliance Plus status for engaging and consulting with customers; leadership, policy and culture; the quality of information provided; cooperating with other providers, partners and communities; and the professionalism and attitude of staff.

First awarded to IS in 2015, the government-backed Customer Service Excellence accreditation assesses organisations on the basis of delivery, timeliness, information, professionalism and staff attitude.

Considered an indication of quality and excellence in customer service, participating institutions are required to undergo a full review every three years.

Highlighted for praise in the review’s findings are the ‘sophisticated communication channels that [IS] uses to interact with its customers’, including the recently launched ApAber

As part of the two day review, students and staff were consulted on the quality of services provided by IS.

Student feedback included an appreciation of how helpful staff are, with one student remarking that ‘nothing was too much trouble’ for staff, and there is always a ‘willingness to see a solution’.

Nia Ellis and Elizabeth Kensler, Customer Services Managers at IS, said: “We are very proud of all the efforts by our staff and partners at the university for achieving this award, and it reflects Information Services’ continued commitment to putting the customer at the heart of everything we do.”

In January 2018 Information Services completed a £1m refurbishment of the University’ iconic Hugh Owen Library, with its panoramic views over Aberystwyth and Cardigan Bay.

As well as a bright new welcome area, the development has provided significantly more study spaces for students along with more efficient lighting and ventilation systems.

Further information about the Customer Service Excellence award is available here.

Photo: Left to right: Information Services staff Faye Ap Geraint, Joy Cadwallader, Julie Hart, Jamie Harris, Elizabeth Kensler, Sarah Gwenlan and Jan Litton celebrate the renewal of the Customer Service Excellence accreditation for a further three years.

Links:
Customer Service Excellence
http://www.customerserviceexcellence.uk.com/homeCSE.html

Information Services
https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/is/

Refurbished Hugh Owen Library opens
https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/news/archive/2018/01/title-209127-en.html

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Press releases

Major road resurfacing works underway in Carmarthenshire

Posted By Robert Lloyd

Carmarthenshire County Council is starting a £4m programme of major road resurfacing on a number of roads around the county.

Carmarthenshire has the second largest road network in Wales and has secured £2.2m in funding from Welsh Government to add to its own budgets to enable a substantial investment in the county’s roads.

The works being undertaken will repair many existing roads and help sustain the highway network for the future.

Nearly 100 sections of road will be resurfaced in total with some of the routes selected to support the forthcoming 2018 OVO Energy Tour of Britain cycle race in September.

Motorists are urged to exercise patience when works are being undertaken and to be aware of any advance warning signs and diversion routes which are put in place to help motorists.

All of the works should be complete by the end of October and further details of roadworks are available through the County Council’s website.

Executive Board Member with responsibility for environment Cllr Hazel Evans said: “Our road network is of vital importance to Carmarthenshire and we need to keep it fit for purpose. This investment will help ensure good quality road surfaces and maintain road safety. I would like to thank road users for their patience whilst these works are being carried out.”

Latest Carmarthenshire roadworks information on this link –

https://www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/home/council-services/travel-roads-parking/

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Scarlets

Press releases

Scarlets Team Manager Mark Taylor is leaving the rugby region

Posted By Robert Lloyd

Scarlets Team Manager Mark Taylor will leave the region, with immediate effect, for personal reasons.

The 52-times capped centre, and British and Irish Lion, joined the region ahead of the 2016-17 season.

Well-respected by Scarlets colleagues and peers across the rugby fraternity, Taylor was a part of the management team when the Scarlets were crowned Guinness PRO12 champions in May 2017.

A replacement will be recruited in due course to ensure preparations for the forthcoming season are unaffected.

Everyone at the Scarlets wishes Mark all the very best for the future.

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Press releases

Carmarthenshire’s Welsh in Education Strategic Plan launched

Posted By Robert Lloyd

Carmarthenshire’s Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP) has been launched today (Monday, June 25)
In accordance with statutory requirements, under the Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013, Local Authorities are required to prepare a Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP).

Carmarthenshire’s WESP was approved by Welsh Government in March 2018 following full statutory public consultation.

Carmarthenshire’s WESP aims to ensure that all pupils are given the opportunity to be able to become more fluently bilingual by the end of primary school (Key Stage 2) to their expected levels and then develop this attribute through to secondary school, whilst also ensuring the acquisition of other languages, as set out in the New Curriculum for Wales.

The Plan reflects the Welsh Government’s wider strategy for the Welsh language which is to realise ‘A million Welsh speakers by 2050’. To achieve that, the Welsh Government believes that several things need to happen, one of which includes ‘more children in Welsh-medium education’.

Executive board member responsible for education and children’s services, Cllr Glynog Davies, said: “We are proud that here in Carmarthenshire we are making great strides towards helping the Welsh Government to fulfil its vision for a million Welsh speakers by 2050 by implementing our Welsh in Education Strategic Plan. We intend to move every primary and secondary school along the language continuum, so that each school plays its particular part in realising this ambition. For those schools which are already on the journey the timescale will be comparatively short, for others, it will be a longer term aim.

“Support will be available to train staff in order to improve their linguistic skills, where required, and also to offer professional development, thus enhancing teaching provision across all age groups. We will be developing the skills and confidence of teachers to teach through the medium of Welsh whilst also upskilling support staff to lend assistance in the classroom.”

Guidance will also be offered to school governors and school leaders.

Leader of the council, Cllr Emlyn Dole said: “I recognise the importance of creating opportunities for the pupils of Carmarthenshire to become confident in Welsh and English.

“All our young people, from all walks of life, should have the opportunity to be bilingual when they emerge from our education system, proud of their identity and able to celebrate both languages.”

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Mark Jones

Blog posts

The latest Clay Shaw Butler Money Matters column

Posted By Robert Lloyd

By Mark Jones, director of Carmarthen-based Clay Shaw Butler chartered accountants and business consultants.

New company car advisory fuel rates have been published by the taxman at HMRC.

The new rates came into force on June 1.

The guidance states: ‘You can use the previous rates for up to one month from the date the new rates apply’.

The rates only apply to employees using a company car.

The advisory fuel rates for journeys undertaken on or after June 1 are:

Petrol

Engine size

1400cc or less             11p

1401cc – 2000cc          14p

Over 2000cc                22p

LPG

Engine size

1400cc or less            7p

1401cc – 2000cc          9p

Over 2000cc                14p

Diesel

Engine size

1600cc or less            10p

1601cc – 2000cc          11p

Over 2000cc                13p

The guidance states that the rates only apply when you either:

  • reimburse employees for business travel in their company cars
  • require employees to repay the cost of fuel used for private travel

You must not use these rates in any other circumstances.

If you would like to discuss your company car policy, then please contact the team at Clay Shaw Butler.

Internet link for more information on the Government website –

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/advisory-fuel-rates

In other news, here at Clay Shaw Butler we appreciate that keeping up with tax deadlines can be hard work.

We have taken some of the pain out of the problem by working on a handy tax calendar.

Here are some up and coming tax dates for you to note . . .

July 2018

Thursday 5 – Deadline for reaching a PAYE Settlement Agreement for 2017/18.

Friday 6 – Deadline for forms P11D and P11D(b) for 2017/18 to be submitted to HMRC and copies to be issued to employees concerned.

Friday 6 – Deadline for employers to report share incentives for 2017/18.

Thursday 19 – Class 1A NIC due for 2017/18.

Thursday 19 – PAYE Student loan and CIS deductions due for the month to 5th July 2018.

Thursday 19 – PAYE quarterly payments are due for small employers for the pay periods 6th April 2018 to 5th July 2018.

Tuesday 31 – Second payment on account 2017/18 due.

August 2018

Thursday 2 – Deadline for submitting P46 (car) for employees whose car/fuel benefits changed during the quarter to 5th July 2018.

Sunday 19 – PAYE, Student loan and CIS deductions are due for the month to 5th August 2018.

September 2018

Saturday 1 – Advisory Fuel Rates.

Wednesday 19 – PAYE, Student loan and CIS deductions are due for month to 5th September 2018.

October 2018

Friday 5 – Deadline for notifying HMRC of new sources of taxable income or gains or liability to the High Income Child Benefit Charge for 2017/18 if no tax return has been issued.

Friday 19 – Tax and NI due under a 2017/18 PAYE Settlement Agreement.

Friday 19 – PAYE, Student loan and CIS deductions are due for the month to 5th October 2018.

Friday 19 – PAYE quarterly payments are due for small employers for the pay periods 6th July 2018 to 5th October 2018.

Wednesday 31 – Deadline for submitting ‘paper’ 2017/18 self assessment returns.

Wednesday 31 – Deadline for submission of 2017/18 self assessment returns if you require HMRC to compute your tax liability and/or if tax underpaid is to be collected by adjustment to your 2019/20 PAYE code.

November 2018

Friday 2 – Deadline for submitting P46(car) for employees whose car/fuel benefits changed during the quarter to 5th October 2018.

Monday 19 – PAYE, Student loan and CIS deductions are due for the month to 5th November 2018.

December 2018

Saturday 1 – Advisory Fuel Rates.

Wednesday 19 – PAYE, Student loan and CIS deductions are due for the month to 5th December 2018.

Sunday 30 – Online filing deadline for submitting 2017/18 self assessment return if you require HMRC to collect any underpaid tax by making an adjustment to your 2019/20 tax code.

You can access the Clay Shaw Butler calendar on our website at – https://www.clayshawbutler.com/resources/tax-calendar

 

You can find out more about money matters on the Clay Shaw Butler website (under our news for business section) –

http://www.clayshawbutler.com/news/latest-news-for-business

We have a strong and experienced team with great local knowledge all geared-up to helping you get the very best from your finances – whether that is as an individual or as a business.

We stay ahead of the game by putting great store by continual professional development for our staff.

With Investors In People status at Clay Shaw Butler, we care passionately about making sure our staff have all the tools they need to serve you, our customers.

 

Weblink – http://www.clayshawbutler.com

The team at Clay Shaw Butler can be contacted on 01267 228500.

The team at Clay Shaw Butler are on Twitter. Look for @clayshawbutler.

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