By Mark Jones, director of Carmarthen-based Clay Shaw Butler chartered accountants and business consultants. The Money Matters column appears in the Pembrokeshire Herald, the Carmarthenshire Herald and the Llanelli Herald newspapers.

Yes, it’s still dominating the news headlines. The B-word, aka ‘Brexit’, is likely to dominate the news agenda for many more weeks.

‘Deal or No Deal’ sounds like a quiz show.

But the Brexit issue isn’t fun and games; it’s serious stuff.

Which is why everyone must start thinking about the possibility of a ‘No Deal’ Brexit.

Following the issue of some ‘No Deal’ Brexit technical notices (back in August), the Government has issued further notices.

The aim is to provide some help for both businesses and individuals to prepare in the event of a UK-EU agreement not being realised.

The second and third batches of notices cover topics such as passports, driving licences, data protection and mobile phone roaming charges.

The full list of topics covered can be found here. Just follow the internet link for plenty of background and advice – https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/how-to-prepare-if-the-uk-leaves-the-eu-with-no-deal

The Government has confirmed they plan to issue further technical notices over coming weeks.

Although reaching a deal remains the ‘overriding priority’, unless a Withdrawal Agreement is ratified by the UK and European Parliaments, the possibility of the UK leaving the EU without a deal on 29 March 2019 remains.

Meanwhile, a survey by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has revealed that:

• Only 14% of small businesses have started planning for a ‘No Deal’ Brexit.
• A further 41% believe that a ‘No Deal’ Brexit will have an impact on their business but have not yet started planning for the possibility.
• 10% believe that a ‘No Deal’ Brexit will have a positive impact on their ability to do business whilst 48% believe that a ‘No Deal’ Brexit will have a negative effect on their ability to do business. This figure rises sharply to 66% for those small firms that trade with the EU and to 61% for those that employ a staff member from the EU.

FSB National Chairman, Mike Cherry, said: “Looking at this research, it is obvious that our small firms are not prepared or ready for a chaotic ‘No Deal’ Brexit and the impact that it will have on their businesses.

“If you sell your products to the EU, buy goods from the EU or if your business relies on staff from the EU, you now see this outcome as a clear and present threat to your business.”

As always, the team here at Clay Shaw Butler will aim to keep you informed of developments.

In other news, the taxman at HMRC has published an updated list of deliberate tax defaulters.

The list includes details of taxpayers who have incurred a penalty because they have either:

• deliberately provided one or more inaccurate documents to HMRC
• deliberately failed to comply with an HMRC obligation
• committed a VAT or excise wrongdoing.

HMRC’s criteria for publishing this information also states that ‘These deliberate acts have resulted in HMRC establishing an additional amount of tax of more than £25,000. HMRC only publish the details where the taxpayer has not made a full and immediate disclosure when HMRC started to investigate or prior to any investigation.’

The list of defaulters can be found at – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/publishing-details-of-deliberate-tax-defaulters-pddd/current-list-of-deliberate-tax-defaulters

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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Around 230 homes and businesses are now known to have been affected by the floods that hit Carmarthenshire over the weekend.

Teams from Carmarthenshire County Council have been visiting and supporting the hardest hit areas this week, offering practical and financial support to help people get back on their feet.

The council set up a £100,000 hardship relief fund on Monday morning, offering support to residents whose homes had been affected by the floods, including a £200 advance to those in most need.

The council has used its powers under Section 2 of the Local Government Act 2000 to offer the financial assistance.

Teams of officers have been supporting people to apply for the fund, both online and in person, with the council’s mobile customer service for rural communities ‘Hwb Bach Y Wlad’ visiting hardest hit areas.

Around 160 homes were affected by the floods, some of them uninsured.

The council has also worked with Xcel Furniture in Johnstown, Carmarthen, to launch a furniture donation appeal to help people who have lost much of their household items.

An additional £200,000 fund is being made available to businesses, allocated from the Carmarthenshire Rural Enterprise Fund.

Business Support Officers have visited 110 businesses in affected areas and are currently supporting 67 businesses to apply for this grant support.

Early estimates reveal that affected businesses may have lost in the region of £3-4million, not including loss of earnings.

Council Leader Cllr Emlyn Dole said he was proud that, in addition to practical support, the council is able to offer financial assistance to families and businesses.

“Storm Callum has had a terrible effect on the lives of many people who live and work in Carmarthenshire,” he said, “I have witnessed this for myself when I have visited some of the worst hit communities.

“I also know how grateful communities have been, both in terms of the help our crews have given them to clear their damaged property and clean their homes and streets, but also with the financial assistance we have offered to help them get back on their feet.

“Section 2 of the Local Government Act 2000 allows a local authority to do anything that it considers would be likely to promote or improve the economic or social well-being of any person living in the county.

“We are pleased, having regard to the council’s corporate strategies and our statutory powers, to have set up this hardship fund to help those residents and businesses in most need.”

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Carmarthenshire is beginning to count the cost of the clean-up that is needed to get the county back on track after Storm Callum.

Hundreds of homes and businesses were affected by the worst flooding seen in the area for over 30 years, and whilst a clear picture is yet to emerge about the true cost of the recovery, Carmarthenshire County Council said it will take millions to put right.

It is now calling on the Welsh Government to assist.

An initial assessment estimates that £3million will be needed to repair highway infrastructure alone, although all bridges and roads – other than the A484 at Cwmduad which was closed due to a landslide – have been re-opened.

The council set up an immediate flood recovery relief fund of £100,000 to support residents whose homes were damaged, offering a £200 advance to anyone in need, and offering practical help to people by collecting damaged furniture and household items, support to complete insurance claims, electrical safety testing, and in some cases temporary accommodation.

It is also working with Xcel Furniture in Carmarthen to appeal for donations of household items to help those affected get back on their feet.

Officers visited over 100 businesses in affected areas on Monday and is continuing to support them, including around 40 businesses who will be applying for grant support from an additional £200,000 fund established to assist businesses.

Leader, Cllr Emlyn Dole, said: “Over the last few days our teams have visited hundreds of people and businesses to let them know that help is at hand. We will do everything possible to help those affected get back on track.

“However the true cost of the recovery is set to run into millions. Our initial impact assessment of highway infrastructure alone estimates that there is around £3million of repairs needed.

“Whilst we have already made two hardship relief funds immediately available to homes and businesses, we are now seeking assistance from Welsh Government to ensure that appropriate resources are available.

“I will be pleased to meet the First Minister later today to put our request to him in person.”

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Fines totalling £700 have been handed out for littering offences in Carmarthenshire during September.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s enforcement officers have been following up reports from the public and catching some people in the act, both littering and failing to clear up after their dogs.

The Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) issued in September were:

• £100 FPN issued to a resident of Bury Street, Llanelli, for leaving black bags out during blue bag week despite previous warnings
• 2 x £100 FPNs issued to two males for failing to clean up after their dogs
• £100 FPN issued to a female for failing to comply with a dog ban at Havelock Park, Havelock Street, Llanelli
• £75 FPN issued to a male for leaving a cardboard box on the floor next to recycling bins at Dylan Recycling Centre, Llwynhendy
• £75 FPN issued to a male caught dropping a cigarette butt in Carmarthen Town Centre
• £75 FPN issued to a Carway resident for depositing a carrier bag of household waste on the floor at Carway recycling site
• £75 FPN issued to a female for depositing boxes on the floor at St Clears recycling centre

In addition, four FPNs were issued to people dropping cigarette butts in Ammanford Town Centre during the Ammanford day of action –  three were to females and one to a male.

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Armed forces veterans in Carmarthenshire are being offered discounted rates to use the council’s leisure centres.

Carmarthenshire County Council is keen to continue its commitment to the Armed Forces Community Covenant and to both serving and former members of the community by promoting  discount cards for ex-forces members.

Veterans can use their discount cards at any Carmarthenshire leisure centre in order to receive discounts and free benefits.

Veterans simply need to present a valid forces card to register on the system to gain instant access to all the available benefits.

There are several benefits, including free swimming during recreational swimming times.

Veterans can also enjoy up to 40 per cent discount off activities including gym sessions, fitness classes, and court bookings during off peak hours.

Cllr Peter Hughes Griffiths, Executive Board Member for Culture, Sport and Tourism, said: “Being able to offer our local veterans these benefits is positive and as part of our commitment to the Armed Forces Community, we can support their physical and mental well-being.”

Cllr David Jenkins, Armed Forces Champion, added: “This is a commitment through the Armed Forces Covenant made to the serving and former members of the Armed Forces and their families working and residing in Carmarthenshire.”

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There’s a concert with a difference coming up in the Gwendraeth Valley next month (November).

It will manage to combine the launch of a book about a modern-day Welsh hero with a musical evening showcasing some of our finest singers.

A new book, called ‘The Stories of Grav’ and compiled and edited by the celebrated tenor Rhys Meirion, is to be launched on Friday, November 9, in Pontyberem Hall.

The Welsh language version of the book, called ‘Storis Grav’ was published last month.

The subject of the book is, of course, Ray Gravell, the legendary Welsh rugby player, broadcaster and actor.

Ray, who played 23 times for Wales, had a long career with the Llanelli Scarlets and captained the club between 1980-1982. He was a member of the British and Irish Lions team that toured South Africa in 1980.

‘Grav’, as he was affectionately known, died suddenly on October 31, 2007 – 35 years to the day when Llanelli chalked up that historic 9-3 victory over the All Blacks at Stradey Park.

After retirement from the game of rugby, Ray concentrated on a broadcasting career and numerous acting roles.

His genial and exuberant personality endeared him to a wide-ranging audience, not only in Wales but beyond as well.

He was a member of the National Eisteddfod’s Gorsedd of Bards and was entrusted with the safe keeping and the carrying of the bardic sword. 

His untimely death left a chasm in Wales, but the memories of his larger-than-life personality live on.

They have found a suitable home in the new book by one of his friends, Rhys Meirion.

The singer has faithfully recorded stories about Ray, as told by friends and acquaintances.

The book is also being recorded by Llyfrau Llafar Cymru / Talking Books Wales for people who need the audiobook experience.

After the book launch, Rhys Meirion will be the star player in a concert at Pontberem Hall, starting at 7pm.

The concert will also feature Elin Fflur, Aled Wyn Davies and Theatr Ieuenctid Menter Cwm Gwendraeth Elli.

Rhys Meirion probably needs no introduction to West Wales concert audiences. He is a member of The Three Welsh Tenors.

He has enjoyed international success in opera and recording and national success in broadcasting.

After two years on the Opera Course at The Guild Hall of Music and Drama in London, he joined the English National Opera Jerwood Young Singers Programme and was subsequently a Company Principal before becoming a freelance performer.

His roles include Rodolfo in La Boheme, Pinkerton in Madam Butterfly, Alfredo in La Traviata, Nemorino in L’Elisir d’Amore, Nadir in The Pearl Fishers, Marcello in Leoncavallo’s La Boheme, Duke in Rigoletto, Tebaldo in Capuletti e Montecchi, Tamino in The Magic Flute, Ernani, Sailor in Tristan und Isolde, Faust, Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni, Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi, Italian Singer in Der Rosenkavalier, Froh in Das Rheingold, Zinovy in Lady Macbeth of Mtzensk and more.

Concert highlights include The Karl Jenkins 70th Birthday Celebrations Concert at The Carnegie Hall New York, a gala concert at the Royal Albert Hall with Bryn Terfel, his BBC Prom debut at the opening night of the BBC Proms (televised on BBC 2), Desert Island Discs Anniversary Concert at London’s Royal Festival Hall, a live BBC recording of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony conducted by Richard Hickox,  and Verdi’s Requiem at the Royal Albert Hall .

Rhys has an extensive catalogue of recording work, including a duet album with Bryn Terfel (‘Benedictus on the SAIN label’) which was nominated for a Classical Brit Award.

He has also released two albums for the Australian label Stanza AV (‘Bluebird of Happiness and Awesome Wonder’), and four solo CD recordings for the SAIN label, the most recent being Llefarodd yr Haul. He has also released two albums with The Three Welsh Tenors.

Rhys was a regular presenter on the television programme Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol for S4C and had his own radio show on Sunday mornings on BBC Radio Cymru. He has also performed on BBC’s Songs of Praise on numerous occasions.

He had two hugely successful series of “Deuawdau Rhys Meirion” (Rhys Meirion’s Duets) on Welsh TV Channel S4C in 2016 and 2017 and presented a series called “Dewch am Dro” on BBC Radio Cymru. He has been an adjudicator for the Bryn Terfel Scholarship as well as many competitions in the Urdd and National Eisteddfods.

His charity work has included three 200-mile walks to support the Wales Air Ambulance for whom he is an ambassador.

His autobiography for Welsh Publishers Y Lolfa was published in 2014 and became the No 1 Best selling book in Wales.

Elin Fflur (or to use her proper name, Elin Fflur Llewelyn Jones) sprang to prominence when she won the Cân i Gymru (Song for Wales) contest in 2002.

Fflur’s musical roots began with her mother Nest Llewelyn Jones (née Howells), who was the lead vocalist of popular Welsh-folk band Bran in their early, prog-rock releases.

Just as Fflur would do 24 years later, Bran became known for winning Cân i Gymru in 1978.

Fflur also took inspiration from her father’s favourite artists, who included Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen and her personal favourite, Janis Ian.

Fflur began taking part in local Eisteddfodau from the age of three and became a familiar name in National Eisteddfodau thereafter.

Fflur had success in the bands Carlotta (with her brother Ioan) and Y Moniars.

Fflur has also worked as a presenter on S4C, the Welsh-language television channel.

Aled Wyn Davies is a classical tenor from Llanbrynmair, in Powys, Mid Wales. He is a member of the Three Welsh Tenors with Rhys Meirion and Aled Hall.

Aled Wyn has performed in venues all over the world.

He was awarded the prestigious “David Ellis Memorial Prize” – The Blue Riband awarded to the best classical soloist at the National Eisteddfod of Wales in Swansea in 2006 following a hat-trick of wins in the tenor solo over 25 in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Concerts include tours to New Zealand and Australia in 2003, Y Wladfa, Patagonia, Argentina, in 2007, Los Angeles, United States in 2003 and 2004, and Saint David’s Day concerts in Johannesburg, South Africa in March, 2008.

In August, 2008 he travelled to Chicago, USA as a guest soloist at the North American Festival of Wales.

In February, 2015 he was invited to sing the Pearl Fishers duet with Bryn Terfel in a celebratory concert in Machynlleth.

He has shared the stage with many other established international performers including the Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir; Rebecca Evans; Gwyn Hughes Jones; Jonathan Lemalu; David Kempster; Shan Cothi and actor, William Roache.

The Pontyberem concert is being sponsored by Castell Howell, the Carmarthen and Cross Hands-based food business.

Tickets for the concert are £15 and £5 for children.

Ticket outlets include:

Neuadd Pontyberem 01269871075

Menter Cwm Gwendraeth Elli 01269871600

Swyddfa Llyfrau Llafar Cymru 01267238225

Siop y Pentan Caerfyrddin 01267235044

In other news, this year’s Night with the Stars event in Llanelli celebrates the fifth anniversary of LARS – Loud Applause Rising Stars.

The evening features 10 talented singers from the Loud Applause stable and top choirs The Richard Williams Singers from Tonyrefail, Côr Y Cwm from the Rhondda, Callum Howells and Friends from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff, trombonist Rhodri Thomas from Llanelli and compère Garry Owen.

The Rising Stars performing will include: Callum Howells, Stephen Davies, Nia Rees, Osian Clarke, Lauren Fisher, Keely Morgan, Neve Summers, Jack Owens, Daisy Owens and Sydney Richards.

The concert is at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli, on November 10 (7pm).

Meanwhile, Loud Applause Productions is once again supporting the Royal British Legion in their Charity Gala Concert at the Lyric Theatre in Carmarthen on October 27 (7pm).

This year, 2018, is a significant year for our Armed Forces, marking the centenary of the end of The Great War and also commemorating 100 years of the Royal Air Force.  

This prestigious annual Royal British Legion Concert has become one of the landmark events in the calendar of South West Wales, providing a platform for the Royal British Legion to pay tribute to the fallen of current and past conflicts.

The event helps the Royal British Legion launch the Poppy Appeal in South West Wales.

The concert features one of our leading sopranos, Shân Cothi, the popular broadcaster.

It also features one of Wales’ premier choirs, Dunvant Male Choir, the highly popular Carmarthen based mixed youth Côr Seingar, the stirring sounds of the City of Swansea Pipe Band and the unforgettable Corps of Drums of the 215 City of Swansea Squadron.

The compére will be Brian Sullivan and the guest accompanist will be Jeffrey Howard. 

The evening ends with the poignant Tribute to the Fallen and a Service of Remembrance. 

On Saturday, October 20, at 3pm, Crwbin Silver Band will be taking part in a Parade and Service in Llanarthne for the statue unveiling of World War Two hero DT Davies.

Côr Meibion Dinefwr Male Voice Choir will be holding their annual concert at Capel Newydd, Llandeilo, on Saturday, October 27 (7.30pm).

The special guests will be Côr Meibion Llandybie Male Voice Choir.

The conductor will be John Williams, the accompanist will be Sara Morgan and the chairman for the evening will be Eifion Davies.

Other special guests include tenor Osian Wyn Bowen, soloist Martha Harries and accompanist Gareth Wyn Thomas.

Admission is £8 and £3 for children and students. Proceeds will go towards the choir’s funds.

This week, Carmarthen will see a big name singer roll into town.

Russell Watson will be performing his new show, Canzoni d’Amore, at the Lyric on October 19.

Having sold more than seven million albums worldwide, Russell Watson is firmly established as the UK’s best-selling classical crossover artist of all time.

Côr Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir members are looking forward to Christmas.

‘Christmas With The Choir’ will be held at 7pm on Saturday, December 1, at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli.

The choir’s special guests will be Burry Port Town Band and the St John Lloyd School Choir.

The West End at Christmas

Also in December, The West End At Christmas returns to The Lyric theatre with their brand new concert for 2018!

Stars from the West End present a magical evening of entertainment featuring hits from the musicals and the best of Christmas songs. The talented cast have starred in many West End productions and national tours including Les Miserables, We Will Rock You, South Pacific, Singing in the Rain, Starlight Express, Phantom Of The Opera, Wicked, Godspell, Joseph and Cats . . . to name but a few!

The West End At Christmas will at The Lyric on December 18.

Robert Lloyd works as a media consultant – www.rlloydpr.co.uk

If you have any news about the choral scene in Llanelli, the please contact him on 07777 683637 or email rlloydpr@btinternet.com

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