A view from our window

Dear Colleagues, A very Happy St Patricks Day to you all.  I’m not Irish, nor do I enjoy Guinness but I may find a small Jameson’s later in recognition, especially given its Gold Cup Day, Red Nose Day and St Patricks Day all in one! This week has been quieter on the training front and …

Knowledge Bites, Local Nature Recovery Strategies & Buckinghamshire Highways Read More »

Dear Members and Colleagues I’m not sure I really want to look out of the window, a quick glance reveals swirling snow carried on a biting wind, it wasn’t much fun on the road this morning and frankly I feel we should all be snuggled up in front of an eco-friendly heat source with a …

Civic ceremonies, VAT & Sports Facilities, Rematching Sponsors Read More »

Dear Colleagues Gosh, rather a dreeg day looking at the View from our Window today. February despite being the shortest month can feel hard going, Spring is around the corner, the birds are singing when the alarm sounds in the morning and you get to see the garden before you shut the curtains for the …

Thoughts of Clerks and RFO’s will be turning to year end considerations Read More »

Important changes this week!  VAT – The rules for Town and Parish Councils relating to VAT are different from commercial organisations and whilst nearly all of you know that, every year someone gets it wrong!  I’m attaching further detail relating to sporting fees following the recent legal challenge.  The key thing to remember is that …

VAT, S137 & NALC Study Visit w/e 10 Feb Read More »

Firstly thank you to all those who submitted a nomination to this years Annual Garden Party.  We have received an unprecedented number of nominations this year, testament to the tremendous work and commitment from our Town and Parish Councils.  The nominations have all been weighed against the criteria issued by the Palace and NALC and …

Garden Parties, Levelling Up and Training w/e 17 Feb ’23 Read More »

Dear Members HMRC conceded last week that charges for local authority sports facilities are a non-business activity and outside the scope of VAT.  Affected councils may be able to reclaim additional VAT relating to the last 4 years. The Government increased the £25,000 threshold for Contracts Finder to £30,000 from 21 December 2022.  This puts …

HMRC concedes charges for local authority sports facilities are a non-business activity Read More »

It’s a busy time.  Gong Xi Fa Cai to our Chinese community.  We saluted the magnificent haggis in celebrating Burns Night on Wednesday,  plus, we have Spring Watch underway and Bird Watch launching today. Today is also Holocaust Memorial Day and you may  be reflecting on both that and current events.  History teaches us many …

“Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing…” Read More »

Dear Councils and Colleagues The View is distinctly frosty, and the clear sunshine that I’m currently witnessing is glorious.  As for the week busy, busy, busy! Last week we romped our way through Cllr Training, Office 365, General Power of Competence, Community Support in Action, Community Enrichment and Resilience all part of our Free January …

Busy! Busy! Busy! Read More »