Leith Business Association :: Representing and Informing Business Owners in Leith
No further money for Small Business Support Scheme PDF Print E-mail
Written by LBA   
Sunday, 21 February 2010 07:48

Following an approach by the LBA, Richard Jeffrey, Chief Executive, Edinburgh Trams, has confirmed that no further funds are available within the tram budget for the Small Business Support Scheme.

Although Mandy Haeburn-Little, tie's director of customer services and communication has stated, "We continue to work closely with all individual businesses and local organisations to provide whatever support is possible during the construction of the trams.", the support offered will not include any further direct financial assistance.

Last Updated ( Sunday, 21 February 2010 08:59 )
 
Traffic Regulation Orders - Public Consultation PDF Print E-mail
Written by LBA   
Saturday, 20 February 2010 17:15

The public consultation on the Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO) will open on Monday 22 February 2010 and run until Monday 21 March 2010.

During this 28-day period members of the public will be be entitled to submit observations or objections to aspects of the design.  Any previous comments or objections which have been lodged will NOT BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.  It is imperative that anyone wishing to make an observation does so in writing during this period.

Drawings of the changes being promoted by the City of Edinburgh Council can be examined at the City Chambers, High Street, Edinburgh from 22 February to 20 March between the hours of 9:30 am and 3:30 pm Mondays to Fridays. Drawings will also be available for the duration of the consultation at the following public libraries:

  • Central Library, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh
  • Portobello Library, 14 Rosefield Avenue, Portobello
  • Leith Library, 28-30 Ferry Road, Leith
  • Wester Hailes Library, 1 Westside Plaza, Edinburgh
  • Blackhall Library, 56 Hillhouse Road, Edinburgh
  • McDonald Library, Leith Walk, Edinburgh

Objections should be made, in writing quoting details of the grounds of objection,quoting reference
TRO/09/60A, within the consultation period which ends 21 March 2010 to:

The City of Edinburgh Council,
c/o Dundas and Wilson,
Saltire Court,
20 Castle Terrace,
Edinburgh, EH1 2EN.

Please note, however that it is not possible to submit an objection to reject the TRO, as it enjoys prior approval because it is a consequence of the Edinburgh Tram (Line One) Act.  It is only possible to object to the manner in which the Order is being applied, e.g. the removal of a right-turn at a particular junction, or the removal or parking spaces.

Information about the process is contained within a two-page leaflet and a full 75-page Statement of Case.

 
Edinburgh Tram-affected businesses face being taxed on compensation PDF Print E-mail
Written by LBA   
Saturday, 20 February 2010 14:21

News that HMRC was investigating the payments made under the Edinburgh Tram Small Business Support Scheme was featured in articles in both the Edinburgh Evening News

Taxman is targetting tram works pay-outs to small firms

and The Scotsman

Edinburgh Tram-affected businesses face being taxed on compensation

on Saturday 20 February.

The reporters have identified that neither tie nor the City of Edinburgh Council had informed HMRC about the creation of the Small Business Support Scheme.Tax experts have also been quoted as saying that the payments would be subject to tax, and there would be a potential for fines on businesses who had failed to properly declare the payment.

Questions put by the LBA to Councillor Phil Wheeler, erstwhile Transport Convenor and current Finance Convenor, Councillor Gordon Mackenzie, the current Transport Convenor and tie remain unanswered.

The requirement to pay tax on the payments will further erode its value - already substantially reduced by the extended completion deadline.

 
Edinburgh Trams Small Business Support Scheme PDF Print E-mail
Written by LBA   
Thursday, 18 February 2010 21:53

Businesses should have received a communication from tie regarding an approach received from HMRC requesting information about the Small Business Support Scheme. It is still unclear what the potential impact of this enquiry will be, however the Leith Business Association will continue to pursue clarification on the tax implications of the Small Business Support scheme payments.

Businesses should make their accountants aware of the approach which HMRC have made.

For anyone who has not yet received the communicaton, the content of the letter from tie is as follows:

Dear Business Owner

Edinburgh Trams Small Business Support Scheme

As a business owner that received financial support from us through the above scheme, I am writing to inform you that Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued tie limited with a statutory request for us to provide them with access to the names of all those businesses that received a payment from the Small Business Support Scheme.  I am keen that you are aware of this as soon as possible.

In addition to providing the names they have also requested that tie limited provides details of how much was paid to each respective business.

The HMRC has requested this information under the Taxes Management Act 1970 and in particular Section 18(2).

The legal gateway for tie limited supplying this information is provided for in the Data Protection Act 1998 as below:

Legal Gateway under the Data Protection Act 1998

"Section 35. Disclosures requested by law or made in connection with legal proceedings, etc

(1) Personal data are exempt from the non-disclosure provisions where the disclosure is required by or under any enactment, by any rule of law or by order of a court.

(2) Personal data are exempt from the non-disclosure provisions where the disclosure is necessary:

(a) for the purpose of, or in connection with any legal proceedings (including prosepective legal proceedings), or

(b) for the  purpose of obtaining legal advice, or is otherwise necessary for the purposes of establishing, exercising or defending legal rights."

What does this mean?

Put simply, this means that tie limited is legally bound under Section 35 to disclose the information requested by HMRC.

The HMRC have also asked tie limited to provide details of those businesses which received reductions under the Rates Reduction Scheme.  We have confirmed that we do not hold this information and that the HMRC would need to contact the Lothian Valuation Joint Board.  We have been given no indication as to the reason for their request.

In the meantime if you use the services of an accountant I would advise you to make them aware of this request.

The HMRC web site may provide you with useful information and this is: www.hmrc.gov.uk

The contact details for the office at the HMRC are:

Anne Murray
HMRC Local Compliance Officer
Elgin House
20 Haymarket Yards,
Edinburgh
EH12 5WN

Tel: 0131 346 5574

If we can be of any help or support, or if you require any further information from us please do not hesitat to telephone me on 0131 622 8381 or emil me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Yours sincerely

 

Gillian Arnot

External Relations Manager

Last Updated ( Friday, 19 February 2010 08:00 )
 
Orphaned Telephone Box set to be removed PDF Print E-mail
Written by LBA   
Wednesday, 10 February 2010 16:04

'That' Phone Box - Leith WalkRoad-widening works at the Foot of Leith Walk in preparation for track-laying works left a phone box within a parking bay - a situation which has been featured in various stories around the internet over the last few days:

Edinburgh Evening News - 9 February

Deadline Picture Agency - 9 February

Greener Leith -  3 February

The original problem arose when contractors failed to take account of a 26-week notice period for BT to remove the phone box, with the result that the road surface was simply re-instated around the phone-box.

The box then fell foul of the cessation of all on-street works as Bilfinger Berger and tie entered into mediation to resolve their contractual disagreements.

The LBA has now been informed that work will commence tomorrow to have the box removed, freeing up the parking bay for its intended use.  Once the tram line is in operation, this parking bay will be the only on-street parking available for this stretch of Leith Walk.

Last Updated ( Wednesday, 10 February 2010 16:47 )