Category: Goldenacre

Spring clean your finances, urges local tax specialist

A local tax specialist is urging small businesses to spring clean their finances as they tackle a raft of changes from this April.

Alan Johnston, who runs TaxAssist Accountants in Goldenacre, said: “Although the Government has now decided not to increase National Insurance contributions for self-employed people following a major backlash, other announcements in the Spring Budget added to a long list of changes and new responsibilities for small businesses. We want to ensure that local business owners make the most of all relevant tax breaks and don’t get caught out by the new rules.

“Although some of the changes, such as reduced dividend tax allowance for director-shareholders, will not start until next year, there are significant challenges for local business owners which come into force from April this year.”

Key changes from April 2017 include:

  • Corporation tax is cut to 19%
  • VAT registration threshold rises from £83,000 to £85,000
  • Businesses with very low cost bases who participate in the VAT flat rate scheme will pay a 16.5% fixed rate, they will however continue to charge VAT at 20%
  • The National Living Wage rises to £7.50 an hour
  • The cash basis accounting threshold for small businesses rises from £83,000 to £150,000
  • Many local businesses will reach their staging date for workplace pensions and must automatically enrol eligible staff in a scheme and contribute to their pension pot
  • And although unincorporated businesses with turnover below the new £85,000 VAT registration threshold have been given a further year to comply with quarterly reporting to HMRC, we’re urging local business owners to continue their vital progress on preparing for the new digital tax rules.

TaxAssist Accountants Goldenacre is a local business providing tax and accountancy advice and services purely to small businesses.

Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership to meet on 30 January

The next meeting of Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership will take place on Monday 30 January at 6.30pm in Stockbridge Church, Saxe Coburg Street. Continue reading Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership to meet on 30 January

Botanic Cottage receives Royal approval

An internationally-important seat of learning from the Scottish Enlightenment which fell into dereliction and was painstakingly dismantled to be reconstructed two miles across the ity has received the royal seal of approval. It’s both the oldest and the newest building at the Botanics, and the magnificent Botanic Cottage was officially opened by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal yesterday.

Saved by a community campaign, the Georgian cottage was reconstructed with the express intention of nurturing public engagement so it was appropriate that those welcoming Her Royal Highness included school pupils and community groups.

Volunteers from the Edible Gardening Project were on hand, as were the community activists who fought for the building to be saved, those involved with the reconstruction and RBGE staff who had roles to play in the venture. Main funders, including representatives of the Heritage Lottery Fund were also introduced.

Lucy Casot, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland, said: “Thanks to players of the National Lottery, Botanic Cottage has a new lease of life. It will be a lively, welcoming hub where young and old, many with more challenges in life than others, can be inspired by these wonderful gardens and collections. We are delighted to have played our part in this project and look forward to seeing Botanic Cottage blossom.”

The Princess was hosted by Regius Keeper Simon Milne MBE who introduced her to key people in the building’s recent history, from its rescue on Leith Walk in 2008 through the wholesale move and traditional rebuild to those who have established it as a new centre for community and education work at the Garden’s Inverleith site.

Mr Milne commented: “The completion of the Botanic Cottage is such a wonderful achievement for everyone involved in getting the building from Leith to Inverleith and bringing it back to life as a focus for education and community work. Today has provided well-deserved recognition to the team and we were all delighted to have had the opportunity to welcome The Princess Royal.”

Absolutely bankers: one thousand branches closed in two years

High street banks have closed more than 1,000 branches in the last two years, new research from consumer organisation Which? has revealed. Ninety of these are in Scotland – and Scotland-based giants Bank of Scotland (34) and RBS (31) have shut most branches. Continue reading Absolutely bankers: one thousand branches closed in two years

Side by Side? Labour councillors to host community event

sidebyside

Housing and care services are in crisis. Can local community co-operatives help to meet local needs?

These are questions for a ‘radical’ new community project in Edinburgh Northern and Leith. Side by Side aims to explore how we can learn from each other and work together to create positive practical change in our local neighbourhood.

Housing, environment and care of the young and elderly were the top concerns to emerge from two community Open Space events in the last 12 months.  The first event identified the needs; the second came up with bold ideas to fill gaps in local services – including housing and childcare co-operatives

Now Side by Side aims to take the next step with The Gathering, at Norton Park Conference Centre on Saturday 3 December.  And this time the event will start by celebrating the successes and achievements of local groups who are already changing lives.     

‘Through our events we discovered fantastic creative enterprises in Edinburgh Northern and Leith,’ says Fay Young, one of the organisers, ‘But not everyone knows about them. We hope to learn from each other to build on what is here already and generate new ideas to enhance quality of life in our area.’  

Keynote speaker Josh Littlejohn, co-founder of Social Bite, will set the tone of an event which seeks to ‘share best practice and build on local achievements’. A panel of experts from Pilton Community Health Project, Port of Leith Housing Association, Shrub Swap and Reuse Hub and North Edinburgh Childcare will also provide first hand accounts of successful community enterprises and projects.

Workshop discussions and outcomes will be led and decided by the audience and facilitated by Judith Chivers. Proposals put forward by The Gathering will contribute to a community manifesto for our neighbourhood in time for the local authority elections in May 2017. 

Side by Side has grown from two Open Space community discussion events hosted by Councillor Lesley Hinds, in December 2015 and April 2016.  Local organisations and residents were invited to explore how we might make use of new powers coming to the Scottish Parliament to improve life in our part of Edinburgh. 

Councillor Hinds who is standing down after 33 years on City of Edinburgh Council said:  ‘I promised to turn words into action and that is what The Gathering aims to do. My colleagues will ensure this is taken forward”.

Side by Side is a community project open to all. The Gathering will be introduced and hosted by Labour Councillors for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, and is supported by Leith Open Space, an intercultural community discussion group formed in 2005.

Edinburgh based Selah Corbin, a cinematic songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose work has been likened to “paintings that come alive”   will provide the music and a light lunch of delicious food from Punjabi Junction will be served.

To take part, book now on   Eventbrite   https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/side-by-side-edinburgh-northern-and-leith-gathering-tickets-28336222404?aff=es2

and follow Facebook.com/SBSGathering   and   http://www.edinburghlabournorthernandleith.org.uk/ for updates.

For further information please contact Marion Donaldson councillormariondonaldson@gmail.com

Young people to help shape the future of their schools

 

The review into the way schools are run is seeking direct input from those most affected by Scotland’s education system – children and young people themselves, Deputy First Minister John Swinney said during a visit to Broughton High School yesterday.

In September, Deputy First Minister John Swinney announced the start of a major governance review, with the presumption that decisions will be devolved to school level. Underlining the commitment to involve and listen to pupils, the Scottish Government is funding work to gather their perspectives.

Young Scot, in partnership with Children in Scotland and Scottish Youth Parliament, is taking forward the engagement programme, which will secure input from a diverse range of young people with different life experiences – including those from urban and rural settings, in the care system, and who have a disability.

Announcing £60,000 to support this work over the next three months, Mr Swinney met today with some of the 90 pupils taking part in the first engagement session at Broughton High School in Edinburgh. He said: “Our review is about ensuring schools deliver the best outcomes for children and young people, with teachers empowered to make decisions about learning within schools, supported by parents and the local community.

“I’ve committed to listening to teachers, practitioners and partners. It’s also crucial that we seek the views of children and young people – on what works well with their learning and in their schools and where improvements can be made.

“The feedback gathered by Young Scot, Children in Scotland and the Scottish Youth Parliament will make a valuable contribution to the review process, shaping our mission to deliver excellence and equity throughout our education system.”

Louise Macdonald, Chief Executive of Young Scot, said: “Any conversation about the future of schools, education and learning needs to have children and young people at the heart. They are experts of their own experience, and it is vital they are given the opportunity to share their insight and their views about what matters so much for them today and in the future.”

Children in Scotland Chief Executive Jackie Brock said: “We believe that children and young people have the right to influence policy and legislation that has an impact on their lives. Hearing from school pupils about how their experience of education could be improved is a key part of this and we are delighted to be partners in a project with such a strong emphasis on consultation and engagement with our young people.”

Amy Lee Farioli, Vice Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament, said: “Empowering children and young people to have their say in decisions that affect them is a fundamental right that all children and young people have. It is essential that they are involved in making decisions about their learning and the learning environment. We see activities like today’s event as vital for shaping the positive involvement of young people as equal, meaningful partners in decisions for the future.”

 

Your community needs YOU! – be part of something great!

Community Council nominations open on Monday

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Nominations for Edinburgh’s community councils open on Monday (5 September) and the city council is calling on people passionate about their area to play an active role and be part of something great! Continue reading Your community needs YOU! – be part of something great!

Forth Neighbourhood Partnership meets on Wednesday

Forth Neighbourhood Partnership Public Meeting is on Wednesday 31 August at 7pm in The Church Hall, Granton Baptist Church, 99 Crewe Road North. Please see below for further details:  Continue reading Forth Neighbourhood Partnership meets on Wednesday

GYC to stage Big Obstacle event

The Big Obstacle, Inverleith Park: Sunday 18 September 

big obstcle

Granton Youth Centre are hosting a 4k charity fun run called The Big Obstacle, which will be held on Sunday 18th of September at Inverleith Park as part of an event with Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership. There will also be a walk and cycle festival on the same day!

This is your opportunity to fundraise for your chosen organisation/charity.

The Big Obstacle will bring the community together and encourage young people and adults to get active and have fun!

All participants will receive a t-shirt, certificate, medal and healthy snack.

Availability is limited and will be on a strictly first come, first serve basis. Both individuals (£5pp) and teams(£20pt) (up to 5 people per team) can register.

Anyone interested please contact thebigobstacle@grantonyouth.com and we can give you all the relevant information

The Big Obstacle has been planned and organised by local young people for young people!

If you need anymore information please let me know, also the information is all on our facebook page if you would be able to share that would be great! Thanks

Shelley Cummings

Youth Worker, Granton Youth Centre