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Bulletin

February 2016 Patron: Sir J Paice OBE

Editor: Mrs Ann Davies. E: bulletin@iagsa.co.uk

Chairman’s News: Thank you to members who took the time to complete the member’s survey over Christmas. The information gained for the results is helping us in the design of the new IAgSA website. I am pleased to report that the development work is going to schedule with Emma working closely with our web developers – i-Resource from Newcastle. We plan to launch at Conference in March and then there will be a planned schedule to update your profiles, access the forum and engage with the revamped CPD system. Members will be invited on a monthly basis to progress along the journey. Full details will be in the bulletin from March onwards. The rollout of the 2015 BPS claim payments is hopefully taking some of the pressure of the industry although there are those who unfortunately are not going to receive payments until April. The build up to the 2016 BPS claims process is starting and details of webinars will be circulated shortly and keep an eye open for events where RPA will be speaking. For example Roger Davies (RPA) will be at the Wessex Branch Training Day on Wednesday, February 10th (full details in the branch news section).

If you have yet to book your place for the IAgSA’s 47th annual conference at Heythrop Park Resort on March 12th & 13th please find the booking instructions in the Conference advert. A full programme with top line speakers is promised, along with the launch of the new website and the mentoring project. Council look forward to meeting members new and old at this stunning venue.

For any issues that affect our industry, then please get in touch at chairman@iagsa.co.uk

Cathy Meredith MBE

New IAgSA website development news:

We are currently undergoing a complete redesign of the IAgSA website. The redevelopment includes the improvement of the customer relationship management system which supports the day to day running of the national office and excitingly the IAgSA Continual Professional Development online programme. With the latter in progress, we need to let you know that CPD online is currently not available until 12th March 2016 when the new website will be a launched at Conference. Please can we advise that in the meantime you continue to record your CPD learning manually. For those of you who have already started inputting your CPD, we will transfer your CPD across to the new CPD online programme ready for you to view on 12th March 2016. If you have any questions about your 2015-2016 CPD please do give either Jen or myself a call on 01926 485543. We look forward to hearing from you.

Emma & Jen National IAgSA Office: 01926 485543 - www.IAgSA.co.uk

@IAgSA_UK National Office News IAgSA

LINKABLE CONTENTS

Chairman’s News National Office News IAgSA MEMBERS NEWS National Conference Membership Benefits RPA, SPS Stakeholder Notes Compliance & AML BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION UPDATE HMRC Health & Safety Executive NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE NEWS England Scotland Wales SUPPORTERS & SPONSORS NEWS Barclays - Fraud in Farming

UK200 Link Farming Support Positions Vacant Your local branch / area news Branch / Area Representatives Council Contacts

1 1 2 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 6 8 6 7 8 8 11 12 13

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National Conference

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Membership Benefits

Please LOGIN to the IAgSA website to gain access to the full list of Membership BENEFITS and the MEMBERS LIBRARY

RPA Technical Stakeholder Group Notes

I know many of you will still be awaiting the 2015 payment but batches are being paid all of the time as RPA are working through. Some have received a letter from the RPA telling farmers that their payment will be delayed due to follow up on inspections, cross border claims or outstanding RLE1 land change work, etc. You can feel some positivity if you have not received such a letter but it doesn’t guarantee imminent payment! On 19th January; the RPA issued an update on payments, here is an extract: ‘Around 57,700 farmers, some two thirds of eligible farmers, have now received their Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) 2015 payment, the Rural Payments Agency confirmed today. The update follows weekend payments to 11,300 customers, totalling £320 million, taking the total amount paid out to farmers in England since the start of December’s payment window to £779 million.’ The RPA say The agency continues to focus its attention on paying the remainder of eligible claims as promptly as possible. Claim statements detailing how the 2016 payment has been made will also be issued within the coming weeks.

Guidance for the 2016 claim should be available within the coming month and there will be a series of webinars run for rural support groups and agents to take them through the BPS 2016 approach – I will let you know details when they are available.

Cross Compliance Guidance 2016 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/guide-to-cross-compliance-in-england-2016 Greening Guidance 2016 https://assets.digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk/media/56096a65ed915d035c000015/Greening_2016_FINAL_GOV_UK.pdf

There is also a Farming Recovery Fund for those affected by flooding https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-the-farming-recovery-fund-frf

Billie Johnson Government Liaison Representative

Compliance and AML

For those of you who are ICB members or hold ICB AML supervision licences please note that the

ICB Inspire Tour Roadshow has amended venues and dates since publication in our December bulletin. The up to date list is below:

February: 1st – Oxford 24th Glasgow 3rd – Southampton 29th Leeds 5th – Ashford

March: 1st – Manchester 16th - Cardiff 2nd – Peterborough 17th – Bath 3rd – Birmingham 18th – Exeter

April: 4th - Newcastle

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These events cover pension regulations, software updates, FRS 105 regulations, VAT updates, marketing strategies and networking opportunities. All good book-keeping CPD points – to book telephone 0207 398 4440 or book on line at www.bookkeepers.org.uk. Tickets are still available. Pension solution webinars are also available to members on this website.

If IAgSA members have any queries concerning AML or general compliance please contact our Council Representative Sally Lemonius on 01983 740926 or email: sally@lemonius.co.uk

Business Administration Update

HMRC Employment Allowance: increase to £3,000 This will come into effect on and after 6 April 2016.

Employment Allowance: excluded companies – it will restrict eligibility for the Employment Allowance so that limited companies with a single director, and no other employees, will not be able to benefit from the allowance from 6 April 2016. National minimum wage From 1st April 2016 workers in the UK aged over 25 earning the minimum rate of £6.70 per hour will see a 50p increase.

If you are working and aged 25 or over and not in the first year of an apprenticeship, you will be legally entitled to at least £7.20 per hour. That is an extra fifty pence per hour. The Government is committed to increasing this every year.

If you are an employer, you will need to make sure you are paying your staff correctly from 1st April 2016, as the National Living Wage will be enforced as strongly as the current National Minimum Wage. https://www.livingwage.gov.uk/ http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1902

Frequently Asked Questions https://www.livingwage.gov.uk/#faqs

Information for employers - NMW FS1 This factsheet tells you about the checks HMRC carry out to make sure that you are paying your workers at least the national minimum wage (NMW) https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/494609/NMW_FS1_06_15_v_1.0.pdf National Insurance contributions: reporting requirements for employers on the abolition of the contracted-out rebate This tax information and impact note sets out the changes to employers reporting requirements from 6th April 2016 on the abolition of the contracted-out rebate. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-insurance-contributions-reporting-requirements-for-employers-on-the-abolition-of-the-contracted-out-rebate VAT: application to cancel your VAT registration (VAT7) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vat-application-to-cancel-your-vat-registration-vat7

Revenue and Customs Brief 4 (2016): VAT MOSS - Simplifications for businesses trading below the VAT registration threshold This brief contains a reminder to carefully consider if you're in business for VAT purposes and details a further evidential simplification. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/revenue-and-customs-brief-4-2016-vat-moss-simplifications-for-businesses-trading-below-the-vat-registration-threshold

HSE Self-Help Checklist for the Storage and Handling of Ammonium Nitrate Fertiliser http://www.hse.gov.uk/explosives/ammonium/chklist.pdf

Storage of ammonium nitrate - http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg230.pdf

Free leaflets - http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/agindex.htm

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England

Cross compliance You must follow the cross compliance rules if you claim these rural payments:

the Single Payment Scheme the Basic Payment Scheme Countryside Stewardship Entry Level Stewardship (including Organic Entry Level Stewardship and Uplands Entry Level Stewardship) Higher Level Stewardship (including Organic Higher Level Stewardship and Uplands Higher Level Stewardship, but

not including HLS agreements that started before 1 January 2007) English Woodland Grant Scheme (Woodland Management Grant and Farm Woodland Premium elements only)

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/guide-to-cross-compliance-in-england-2016 https://assets.digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk/media/56096a65ed915d035c000015/Greening_2016_FINAL_GOV_UK.pdf https://assets.digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk/media/5684e7dbe5274a0367000002/Guide_to_cross_compliance_2016_-_v_1.0.pdf https://www.gov.uk/guidance/guide-to-cross-compliance-in-england-2016/key-dates-for-2016

Farming inspections Information about who will inspect your farm, what they’re looking for and any penalties you may get. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/farming-inspections

EIA (Agriculture) regulations: apply to make changes to rural land How to request an Environmental Impact Assessment screening decision and if necessary, apply for consent to cultivate previously uncultivated land or semi-natural areas, or restructure land features. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eia-agriculture-regulations-apply-to-make-changes-to-rural-land

Apply for the Farming Recovery Fund (FRF) Farmers can use this form and guidance to apply for funding to help them carry out recovery activities following flooding in the north of England. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-the-farming-recovery-fund-frf

Countryside Stewardship: facilitation funding - European agricultural fund for rural development The second round of the facilitation fund is now open until 18 March 2016. There will be a third round in 2017. https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/countryside-stewardship-facilitation-funding

Scotland Porcine Epidemic Diarrhoea (PED) Subject to Parliamentary scrutiny, Porcine Epidemic Diarrhoea (PED) will be classed as a notifiable disease in Scotland from March 2, 2016 - making it mandatory for pig keepers to report any suspected case of the infection to Quality Meat Scotland. http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Pig-protection-21c3.aspx

Support for flood-hit farms Practical measures to help farmers affected by recent flooding have been announced. These include:

flexibility on greening and cross compliance rules; SEPA taking a pragmatic approach to getting things back to normal; the publication of flooding restoration ‘top tips’.

Full details: http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Support-for-flood-hit-farms-2149.aspx

Updates to guidance https://www.ruralpayments.org/publicsite/futures/topics/updates/updates-to-guidance-2016/

Entitlements and Payments Information Helpline – 0300 300 2222 Forestry Grant Scheme and Agri-Environment Climate Scheme - Online applications unavailable until end January 2016 At the end of December 2015 we informed you that we were unable to accept applications for the Forestry Grant Scheme between 1 and 15 January, 2016 due to a technical issue. This also affected any draft Agri-Environment Climate Scheme applications. Unfortunately this issue will not be resolved until the end of January. We will update you as soon as possible, once this is resolved. https://www.ruralpayments.org/publicsite/futures/news-events/forestry-grant-scheme-and-agri-environment-climate-scheme/

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Wales EIDCymru – As from the 18th January 2016 you no longer send Sheep Movement Licences to your local County Offices. The new version of the movement licence form should be returned to EIDCymru, EIDCymru, Ty Merlin, Parc Merlin, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SY23 3FF. Tel: 01970 636959 or email: contact@eidcymru.org

You will also have the option of reporting movements electronically.

Please visit their website for further details: www.eidcymru.org there are also copies of the new licences here to print off. http://gov.wales/topics/environmentcountryside/ahw/farmanimaltracing/sheepandgoatidentification/sheepeiddatabase/?lang=en Farming Connect – There will be three funding application window available this year – the first has closed at the end of

January, the next opportunity to apply for funding will be 1 – 29 April 2016 and the final window from 1 – 30 June 2016.

Applications can only be submitted online, please visit: http://businesswales.gov.wales/farmingconnect/training for

more information.

BPS 2015 – As BPS payments has started to flow through to farmers it is important to carefully check the detailed

payment statement letter (also available on RPW online) to make sure everything is in order – especially with the

changes to the eligibility of land and any discrepancies in terms of the land area declared by RPW compared to what the

farmer felt was correct; they will need to be queried and challenged with RPW as soon as possible. Farmers have up to

60 days to appeal the penalties which can be done through a stage one appeal process by submitting the CRN and field

parcel reference that you wish to query through RPW online or submit paper copy to RPW Caernarfon.

Sheep and Goat Annual Inventory – Reminder to complete and return the Sheep and Goat Annual Inventory form by 1st

February 2016. If you have not received a form, call 0845 0102255 for a replacement.

RPW Online You can use Rural Payments Wales (RPW) Online to apply for and manage your payments for the Welsh Government’s Basic Payment and Glastir schemes.

There is a Government Gateway outage on Thursday 4 February 18:00 to 03:00 Friday 5 February which will have an impact on the availability of RPW Online.

From March 2016, Windows XP users will only be able to access RPW Online by using the browser Google Chrome. For more details, view the Requirements for RPW Online page.

Please be aware of fraudulent emails or phone calls claiming to be from the Government Gateway Service or Rural Payments Wales. RPW will never call or email you to ask for financial information or to transfer money to another account. Any suspicious activity should be reported to your bank. http://gov.wales/topics/environmentcountryside/farmingandcountryside/rpwonline/?lang=en

Supporters and Sponsors News

Fraud in Farming Here are some tips to protect yourself against financial crime by Oliver McEntyre

Most farmers will, by now, have received their subsidies under the Basic Payments Scheme (BPS). However, as the details of those receiving payments are available on the internet, the risk of fraudsters targeting the farming community in particular increases at this time of year.

So what can you do? Being on your guard against potential threats is important. Getting to know a few of the tricks the criminals use can make all the difference and our Fraud Risk team has provided some useful tips to help.

Often farmers, and those responsible for running the day to day business of the farm, such as farm secretaries, will be targeted through telephone calls or emails from individuals. They claim to be from the customer’s bank, a business

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customer, or even someone in authority from within their business. The aim is to trick you into making payments, or for you to allow them to access your systems so they – the fraudsters – can take your money for themselves.

Tips to protect your farming business

There are a number of steps you can take to help protect your farm from the activities of the fraudsters:

Validate requests: You should never receive a phone call from someone asking you to make a payment. If you do, independently source the contact details of the person they’re claiming to be (don’t rely on a number they give you) and wait at least 5 minutes before calling back to check the initial call was authentic. Similarly, if you receive an email asking for payment or notifying you of a change in bank details, get in touch with a contact you know using independently sourced details and check the request was genuine. Email addresses can be impersonated and made to look like they’re from a genuine contact.

Be cautious against impersonators: Sometimes a fraudster might attempt to impersonate someone within your business who has the authority to request payments, or potentially a trusted contact such as a bank. Take the time to make sure callers are who they say they are and be wary of caller displays on your phone. Fraudsters can and do use systems to display a number that may be known to you, for example your bank’s or someone within your business. Be wary of callers asking you to allow access to your computer systems. Generally no one should call you and ask for access. Again independently check before progressing.

Be wary of information seekers: If someone calls you asking for information that you’d expect them to already have, be on guard. For example, your bank will never call or email asking for account details, passwords or online banking authorisation codes.

Look out for unusual transactions: If you receive a payment into your account that you aren’t expecting, check it out. If it’s not yours, make sure that the funds are cleared before returning them, and that they go back into the account they came from. Your bank should be able to help you with this.

Read the guidelines: Make sure you’re aware of the guidance your bank has given you regarding online and mobile payments, and ensure that you and the people in your business that make payments follow them. They’re there to protect you. Ask your bank relationship contact for more details.

Keep secrets: Never give out your online credentials, PINs, passwords or authorisation codes to anybody who calls, emails or texts you.

Don’t stay silent: Talk to people in your business about fraud, raise awareness and make sure everyone is aware of the risks and how to guard against the threats.

Don’t be rushed: Criminals will often express urgency and offer inducements to make you act quickly, but make sure you take the time to thoroughly check any requests to make payments or to amend payment details. Ignore any requests to move money to a new account to keep it safe, as your bank will never ask you to do this.

For further guidance on this important issue, see the police’s DCPCU website, http://www.financialfraudaction.org.uk/police-advice-home.asp, and check out the Little Book of Big Scams Business Edition from the Metropolitan Police, http://www.met.police.uk/docs/little_book_big_scams_business_edition.pdf.

Be vigilant, at all times

UK200: Please press control & click to access the E-news from UK200

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Farming Support

Do you need help or know someone who may benefit from independent advice?

Farming Community Network 03000 111 999 http://www.fcn.org.uk/

RABI 0808 2819490 http://www.rabi.org.uk/

RSABI/Gatepost 0300 111 4166 http://www.rsabi.org.uk/viewItem.php

You Are Not Alone (YANA) 0300 323 0400 http://www.yanahelp.org/

Farming Help 0845 367 9990 http://www.farminghelp.org.uk/

Addington Fund 01926 620 135 http://www.addingtonfund.org.uk/

Counselling Directory 0844 8030 240 www.counselling-directory.org.uk

Rural Support Wales 01686 629480 http://www.ruralsupportwales.org.uk/

Money Advice Service 0300 500 5000 www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk

Free unbiased and easy-to-access money tools, information and advice

Money Advice Scotland 0141 572 0237 www.moneyadvicescotland.org.uk

Advice NI 0800 917 4607 www.debtaction-ni.net

AdviceUK 03000 777 0107 www.adviceuk.org.uk

Member centres offer debt advice including specialist advice for minority communities and people with disabilities

Christians Against Poverty 0800 328 0006 www.capuk.org

Free debt advice in your home

Citizens Advice www.adviceguide.org.uk

For local CAB check in phone book

National Debtline 0808 808 4000 www.nationaldebtline.co.uk

For debt advice and information

Business Debtline 0800 1976026 www.businessdebtline.org

For business debt advice and information

StepChange Debt Charity 0800 138 1111 www.stepchange.org

For debt advice throughout the UK

Civil Legal Advice 0800 345 4345 www.gov.uk/legal-aid

You may get legal aid if your home is at risk

Financial Ombudsman Service 0300 123 9123 www.financial-ombusman.org.uk

If you have a complaint that cannot resolve with your lender

Positions Vacant

Bookkeeper required

A farm with a training centre just north of Leicester is looking for a bookkeeper one day a fortnight to work with SAGE,

VAT, monthly bank reconciliation and staff wages. And to prepare the paperwork at year end ready for the accountants.

Please apply to:

Suzanne Wells 01509 815534 or suzanne@parkhilltraining.co.uk

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Farm Secretary/Book Keeper Required

Due to the expansion of our current team we are seeking a Farm Administrator to join a small energetic and successful

firm of Land Agents situated in West Norfolk. Work will include SAGE book keeping, VAT Returns, Payroll and Crop

Recording as well as a range of other administrative duties as required. Experience essential and flexible working hours

offered.

Applications will be treated in the strictest of confidence. To Apply please write enclosing CV to : Alice Dickson, Cruso &

Wilkin, Waterloo Street Kings Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 1NZ

Farm Secretary Competitive salary + benefits

Boughton Estate, Northamptonshire

Boughton Estate, which is owned by the Duke of Buccleuch, is looking for a confident professional to run its farm office administration.

The post is based in the small and friendly Estate office in the picturesque village of Weekley. The farm business consists of dairy, sheep and arable, along with HLS/ELS agreements.

We are looking for an organised and computer literate individual who works well within a team and has a good understanding of farm administration.

This is a permanent, part-time position of approximately three days per week, working with and reporting to the Estate Manager. Hours of work can be agreed to suit the successful candidate.

Salary is negotiable and will reflect the successful applicant's skill and experience.

Interested? To request a copy of the role description and details of how to apply please contact Katie Lau at recruitment@buccleuch.com or on 0131 524 0924. The closing date for applications is Friday 5th February.

FARM & ESTATE ACCOUNTS ADMINISTRATOR

EAST NORTHAMPTONSHIRE FARM & ESTATE OFFICE

We are seeking to recruit a Farm & Estates Accounts Administrator for a retained client in the East

Northamptonshire region.

The applicants will be based in a busy farm and estate office reporting directly to the owner, farm manager and

agent. Assistance and backup will initially be provided by a member of the Fisher German team on a regular

basis and then when required.

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Applicants must have a good knowledge of all aspects of accounts incorporating a multiple ownership structure

with a number of different accounts. Knowledge of let property, agriculture and VAT an advantage. Systems

used are Farmplan, Ernie payroll, Property Manager and again knowledge of the systems an advantage but not

essential. Would also need to prepare annual budgets and year end accounts.

A competitive salary commensurate with experience.

For an informal discussion about the positon, please arrange via email to john.palmer@fishergerman.co.uk.

To apply, please submit a covering letter and CV to Kate Thompson ACA, Head of Clients Accounts, at Fisher

German LLP, 40 High Street, Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 7NX.

Closing date for applications: 12th February 2016

FARM BUSINESS SECRETARY

Due to unprecedented business growth that has been brought about by provision of best in class secretarial services we are expanding our team, providing opportunities for highly organised and motivated Farm

Business Secretaries.

Main duties include;

Responsibility for a portfolio of 30+ farming clients

Bookkeeping, VAT, PAYE, Budgets, Management reports

Liaison with consultants, customers, suppliers & other professionals

The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate;

Excellent IT skills

Knowledge of & an interest in the Agricultural Industry

Experience of accounting practices

Good communication

These are full time, permanent opportunities for a number of Farm Business Secretaries to join us at an exciting

time in our business. As well as a competitive salary package we will provide you with training and support throughout, a company car, laptop and a mobile phone.

We are looking to recruit in the following regions; Central Scotland, Hereford, South Wales, East Midlands, West Wales, Dorset, Bridgewater.

Applicants in confidence by sending CV and covering letter quoting vacancy reference number EMEA VAC 186 to; EMEA.recruitment@genusplc.com or; Human Resources, Alpha Building, London Road, Stapeley, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 7JW

ADMINISTRATION & ACCOUNTS ASSISTANT Nantwich, Cheshire

Due to unprecedented business growth that has been brought about by provision of best in class secretarial services, we are expanding our team, providing opportunities for highly organised and motivated Farm Business Secretaries.

The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate;

Excellent IT skills

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Knowledge of & an interest in the Agricultural Industry

Experience of accounting practices

Good communication

Initiative, energy, drive and attention to detail

As well as a competitive salary we will provide you with the training and support you require to be successful in this role.

Applicants in confidence by sending CV and covering letter quoting vacancy reference number EMEA VAC 185 to

EMEA.recruitment@genusplc.com; or Human Resources, Alpha Building, London Road, Stapeley, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 7JW

Branch News / Area News

Devon Branch meeting will be 3rd March at Simpkins Edwards Exeter office by kind invitation of Mary Jane Campbell looking at Common Year End problems and solutions 6.30 for 7pm. A very timely meeting to help us prepare for the traditional March year end in agriculture.

Report -Devon had a Christmas meal with the AGM between courses on 20th January. Carolyn Wright became chairman and will continue the excellent work done by Gill Bale over the past year, the secretary and treasurer will continue in their posts for a further year. The branch survey undertaken earlier in the year identified the training topics members wanted and we are very proud to have delivered every available topic requested with 6 evening training meetings,1 full training day and a Christmas wreath making social. The training day and the RPA mapping day were very well attended with over 80 present at each, this included many professionals within the industry and has continued to raise the profile of IAgSA and its members. The coming year has a packed program with 8 training evening planned and a branch 40th anniversary dinner planned in June.

Gloucestershire Branch meeting is on Thursday 25th February at 7:30 pm at the Golden Heart, Nettleton Bottom, nr Birdlip (GL4 8LA). Our speakers are Ben Knight and Emily Hartnell from Savills. They will be giving a presentation on rural broadband, disaster planning and management and an update on residential lettings. Cost is £5 per person, to include sandwiches and chips. For further information please email helenwalthew@btinternet.com.

Herefordshire Branch is planning to run an Excel training course on Wednesday 20th April. Page Training will be providing the course and the title is "Beyond the Basics". The course will run from 10.00 - 3.30pm at a venue in Hereford and the provisional cost will be £50 + VAT. This will be open. For more information contact Sue Partridge susanpartridge@gmail.com

Norfolk Branch AGM/Training Day will be Tuesday 15th March 2016. AGM followed by Anti Money Laundering Refresher, PAYE Expenses & Benefits, How Much are You Worth?, BPS & Cross Compliance Update. Booking form will be issued in due course.

North Yorkshire Branch will meet on Thursday 4th February in the Richmond Room, The Golden Fleece, Thirsk at 7.00 pm. Brendan O’Connor, Farming Advisory Service, will cover CAP update, BPS Basic Payment Scheme, Cross Compliance changes and tips for passing inspection, Old stewardship/new stewardship - what to keep and why. Please book your place.

North Wales Branch Thank you to all that came to the meeting on the 19th January, we had a very informative talk and discussion by Glenda Thomas, Director of FWAG Cymru regarding FWAG and Glasdir. Next meeting will be in March - hopefully to visit Howard Worth Accountancy to discuss the budget. We welcome any members wishing to come along. Please contact secretary Llio Jones for more information: lliohafjones@gmail.com / 07795 278384. Cangen Gogledd Cymru Diolch i bawb ddoth i'r cyfarfod ar 19 Ionawr, cawsom sgwrs a thrafodaeth ddifyr gan Glenda Thomas, Cyfarwyddwr FWAG Cymru am FWAG a Glasdir. Fydd y cyfarfod nesa mis Mawrth - gobeithio yn swyddfa Howard Worth Accountancy i drafod y 'budget'. Rydym yn croesawy unrhyw aelodau sydd a diddordeb ymuno. Cysylltwch a'r ysgrifennyddes Llio Jones am fwy o wybodaeth: lliohafjones@gmail.com / 07795 278384.

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Shropshire Branch meeting will be on Wednesday 3rd February at Lythwood Room at Bayston Hill Memorial Hall SY3 0DR at 7.15 for 7.30 start. John Merry of Lanyon Bowdler, will cover -Employment Law Talk - Latest updates in Employment Law where particularly relevant to the rural sector. Please let secretary know if you are attending: anna@fieldhouse.myzen.co.uk

Staffordshire Branch The February meeting will be on Thursday 18th at 7.30pm, in the conference room at Amerton Farm ST18 0LA, and the topic will be a BPS update.

Thames and Test Branch meeting on Thursday 11th February 2016 will be Training Day with BPS Update and Health & Safety at The Royal British Legion, Herriard, Basingstoke. Contact Emma Powell for more information.

Warwickshire Branch Spring Workshop will be held on Thursday 25th February starting at 11.00 am with Roger Davies from RPA covering BPS 2016. For full details contact Ann Davies adavies625@btinternet.com tel 01386 833865

Wessex Branch Training Day – Members and non-members welcome Wednesday February 10th 2016 at The Father’s House, Shaftesbury SP7 8PH Coffee from 9.30 am to start at 10.00 am Programme

o Roger Davies RPA, talking about the new Land viewer software which will be available for 2016 BPS applications. The latest news about Greening changes for 2016.

o Peter Nyland (Francis Clark) Financial Planning Team to give an Auto enrolment update and the tax and RTI obligations for payrolls from April in particular where there is a commercial shoot.

o Nick Gooch and Dawn Beattie (Francis Clark), Accounts and tax matters in particular preparing the accounts for the year end.

o Simon Smart, Black Sheep Consulting, environmental schemes update o Cathy Meredith, Chairman, IAgSA National power point presentation of benefits of National Membership and the

new website that is planned for 2016.

Wiltshire Branch Excel Workshop will be held on Saturday 6th February from 9.30 am at Wiltshire College,

Devizes. Booking essential.

Your Local Branch / Area Representative - Points of contact

Branch Region Contact Name Telephone BEDFORDSHIRE Marianne Venn 07974 427838 CAMBS, HERTS, ESSEX Marianne Venn 07974 427838 CHESHIRE Jane Gerrard 01606 891376 CHILTERNS Joanne Jakeman 01451 870298 CORNWALL Sue Gillbard 07769 653009 CUMBRIA Joyce Crackles 01524 274239 DERBYSHIRE Sally Wood 01246 220112 DEVON Julie Tucker 01822 810276 EAST RIDING Linda Bratley 07710 014747 EAST SUSSEX Jo Crosta 01273 891346 GLOUCESTERSHIRE Helen Walthew 01242 890330 HEREFORDSHIRE Sue Partridge 01989 730687 KENT Sandra Side Reeves 01732 761343 LANCASHIRE Louise Moore 01254 822828 LINCOLNSHIRE Sarah Green 01652 651208 MIDLANDS Moira Wells 01162 362514 NORFOLK Alison Cranmer norfolkiagsa@gmail.com

Branch Region Contact Name Telephone NORTHUMBERLAND National Office 01926 485543 NORTH WALES Llio Haf Jones 07795 278384

NORTH YORKSHIRE Mary Thomas 01439 788179 RYEDALE Andrea Strickland 01439 770305 SCOTTISH BORDERS Alex Walgate 01875 835203

SCOTTISH CENTRAL Elizabeth Miller 01821 650236 SHROPSHIRE Heather Tate 01743 718031 SOMERSET National Office 01926 485543 STAFFORDSHIRE Rosie Chandler 07801 933258 SUFFOLK Helen Evans 01986 798338 SURREY & W SUSSEX National Office 01926 485543 THAMES & TEST Emma Powell 01722 712381 WALES Mary Jones 01792 371351 WARWICKSHIRE National Office 01926 485543 WESSEX Helen Hassall 07923 590360 WILTSHIRE Rebecca Hill 01793 740537 Please see the Council of Management Contact Details for your Council Representative.

13

Council of Management 2016 - Contact Details

Member Role County Email

Cathy Meredith IAgSA Chairman & Head of the IAgSA Training Programme

Herefordshire, Shropshire & Staffordshire

chairman@iagsa.co.uk / ruralcathy@gmail.com

Billie Johnson IAgSA Vice Chairman & Government Liaison Representative

Chiltern (Oxon & Bucks) brook1963@aol.com

Rebecca Hill Treasurer Wessex & Wiltshire rebecca.hill720@gmail.com

Sally Lemonius Compliance & Anti-Money Laundering Representative

sally@lemonius.co.uk

Christine Thompson Corporate Liasion, Funding & Sponsorship & Regional Training Days Representative

East Riding, Lincolnshire, North Yorkshire & Ryedale

christinethompson1401@ gmail.com

Ann Davies Bulletin Editor and Membership Panel Representative

Gloucestershire & Warwickshire adavies625@btinternet.com

Julie Tucker Training, Common Lands & Farming Charities Representative

Cornwall & Devon julie@bearwoodfarm.co.uk

Ros Foreman Website Representative Scottish Borders, Scotland Central & Thames & Test

rforeman@bcm.co.uk

Elin Jones IAgSA Representative for Wales & Regional Training Days

Wales & North Wales elin.jones@btconnect.com

Sally Wood Membership Panel Representative & Government Liasion Representative

Cambs Herts & Essex, Derbyshire & Norfolk

wood5@farm5.plus.com

Emma Powell Council Representative for IAgSA Branches Cheshire, Cumbria, Lancashire & Suffolk

emmapowell77@btinternet.com

Marty Handley Head of Membership Panel Marty.croasdale@btinternet.com

Andrea Gardner

Continual Professional Development External Assessor

andrea.gardner@yahoo.co.uk

EDITORIAL COPY for the February Bulletin to the Editor by Tuesday 23rd February 2016 To advertise your position vacant in the Technical Bulletin please contact the National Office.

The information in this Bulletin is for the general guidance of members. It is not practicable for the accuracy of every statement to be checked before publication. Where important, readers should check the details for themselves. Neither the Institute, the editor nor any contributor is liable

for any inaccuracy arising from any cause whatever. © Institute of Agricultural Secretaries & Administrators Email: IAgSA@IAgSA.co.uk T: 01926 485543

The Studio@ The Mill, Mill Lane, Little Shrewley, Warwick, CV35 7HN