Latest podcast from Phil Evans and Robert Lloyd

Posted By Robert Lloyd

The latest podcast from Phil Evans and Robert Lloyd.

The Big Cwtsh (Episode 31) is now on Soundcloud.

Press releases

Health Board hold community event for Teifi Surgery patients

Posted By Robert Lloyd

An estimated 200 people attended an event in Llandysul to discuss future GP and general medical services.

Patients of Teifi Surgery in the town are being reassured they will continue to be offered these services from an alternative surgery, closest to where they live, after Teifi Surgery ends its contract at the close of January 2019.

The event gathered people’s feedback, ideas and concerns and the health board will consider these as it prepares to write out to individual patients with their allocations in the coming weeks.

There will be continued engagement and if anyone is concerned about their individual allocation or circumstances they will be able to contact the health board for further advice and support.

Jill Paterson, Director of Primary Care, Community and Long Term Care at Hywel Dda University Health Board said: “We wish to reassure patients that no-one will be without access to GP services. Patients will be allocated to a GP practice based on their home address, the practice boundaries and a need to ensure that practice allocations provide stable services for the future.

“We will soon be in a position to inform patients individually by letter about their allocation which we hope will allay any further anxiety. If a patient is unhappy with the practice they have been allocated to, they will have an opportunity to appeal and may be reallocated where appropriate and within the constraints above.

“We are continuing to work with the practices involved and, in the meantime, can confirm that Teifi Surgery will remain open as normal until 31 January 2019.

“It’s encouraging that so many attended the recent drop-in event to talk to us about their concerns; the feedback we have received shows that the majority (81%) of those who completed an evaluation questionnaire felt the event was ‘good, very good or excellent’. A further public engagement event in the locality may be held later in the year and we are continuing to discuss this approach with the Community Health Council.”

News

Kelly thrilled with Scarlets A winning display

Posted By Robert Lloyd

Scarlets A, sponsored by Juno Moneta Group, faced Dragons at Ystrad Mynach in the final pool stage of the Celtic Cup competition on Sunday, 14th October, needing a victory to secure a place in the competition’s inaugural final.

Despite a loss to Munster the previous week the young Scarlets side claimed an all-important bonus point to keep their hopes of making the final alive.

Two early tries from the Dragons at Ystrad Mynach put Scarlets A on the back foot but a spectacular second half comeback saw the West Wales side run in eight tries to seal the victory.

Scarlets A will take on Leinster in the final this weekend with venue and kick-off to be confirmed.

Commenting on the game Richard Kelly, Scarlets A Head Coach said; “We’re very happy. It probably wasn’t the best start to the first half being 12-0 down but to come out on top was very pleasing, and we’re all thrilled with the overall win.”

Looking forward to the final against Leinster A next weekend, Kelly went on to say; “I think it was a real tight game last time, the weather wasn’t on our side and definitely played a part in it.

“When you look at Leinster as a team they’re the best in Europe at the moment in terms of developmental A teams. I think in order for us to win this final, we need to start a bit better than we did this week and hopefully the game will unfold in our favour.”

Speaking about the competition as a whole, he went on to say; “We’re really pleased with how the competition has panned out for us as a region. The squad has had an opportunity to work together over a prolonged period of time and gel as a group.”

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. The Money Matters column appears in the Pembrokeshire Herald, the Carmarthenshire Herald and the Llanelli Herald newspapers.

The Government has decided not to proceed with plans to abolish Class 2 National Insurance Contributions (NICs) from April 2019.

Class 2 NICs are currently paid at a rate of £2.95 per week by self-employed individuals with profits of £6,205 or more per year.

The Government had planned to scrap the Class 2 contribution and had been investigating ways in which self-employed individuals, with low profits, could maintain their State Pension entitlement if this inexpensive contribution had been abolished.

In a written statement to MPs, Robert Jenrick, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, stated that:

‘This change was originally intended to simplify the tax system for the self-employed.

‘We delayed the implementation of this policy in November to consider concerns relating to the impact on self-employed individuals with low profits.

‘We have since engaged with interested parties to explore the issue and further options for addressing any unintended consequences.

‘A significant number of self-employed individuals on the lowest profits would have seen the voluntary payment they make to maintain access to the State Pension rise substantially.

‘Having listened to those likely to be affected by this change we have concluded that it would not be right to proceed during this parliament, given the negative impacts it could have on some of the lowest earning in our society.

‘Furthermore, it has become clear that, to the extent that the Government could address these concerns, the options identified introduce greater complexity to the tax system, undermining the original objective of the policy.

‘The Government remains committed to simplifying the tax system for the self-employed and will keep this issue under review in the context of the wider tax system and the sustainability of the public finances.

‘The Government still intends to legislate for reforms to the NICs treatment of termination payments and income from sporting testimonials, which were set out in the draft NICs Bill published on 5 December 2016.

‘These are important changes to ensure the NICs treatment is consistent with the treatment of income tax in previous Finance Acts. We will set out further details in due course.’

Meanwhile, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, has announced that the Budget will take place on Monday, October 29.

Breaking with the tradition of a Wednesday in November, perhaps in a bid to avoid the ongoing Brexit negotiations, the Government is expected to set out its plans ‘to build a stronger, more prosperous economy, building on the recent Spring Statement and last year’s Budget’.

The Government announcements are expected to include updates on draft legislation and consultations, and proposed tax rates and reliefs.

As always, the team at Clay Shaw Butler will keep you up-to-date with the Budget news when it happens.

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.

Press releases

Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Panel need your help

Posted By Robert Lloyd

People are being asked to identify the issues they would most like the Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Panel to focus on over the coming year.

The Panel, made up of representatives from across Dyfed-Powys, aims to give local people a greater voice in how the police serve our communities.

Members support the work of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Dafydd Llywelyn, but also hold him to account.

Now, in preparing their schedule for 2019-20, they want people to have a say on the areas they should focus on.

A survey has been launched asking for people’s views. The brief online questionnaire also asks what people know about the panel and its work.

It can be undertaken online in just a few minutes.

Chair of the Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Panel, Cllr Alun Lloyd Jones, said: “We want greater public awareness of, and involvement in, the work of the Panel so that we are focusing our efforts on the issues that really matter. Please let us have your comments and suggestions.”

The survey can be found, along with the Panel’s 2018 Annual Report, at www.dppoliceandcrimepanel.wales

Jenkins Bakery launch Halloween range of products

Posted By Robert Lloyd

The popular South Wales-based Jenkins Bakery has launched a special range of products to mark Halloween.

“We always like to do something special to mark different occasions throughout the year,” said Russell Jenkins, operations director at the Jenkins Bakery.

“Our customers have come to expect us to do something special and this year we have seven different products for people to enjoy as they party over Halloween.

“We hope our customers enjoy them.”

The products are –