Herald - Issue 389

Page 32 • The HERALD • 4th June 2020 v SAY YOU SAW IT IN THE HERALD v If you come into any of these categories, then you will need to complete a self-assessment. Other services that we can provide M G ACCOUNTANCY SERVICES Telephone & Fax: 023 8089 1351 • Email: mgeere@btinternet.com Specialising in Bookkeeping and Accountancy Services in and around the New Forest and Waterside area, be assured of a local and friendly service. Are you self-employed? Are you a small business? Are you a landlord? Do you have investment income? NEW LIMITED COMPANY SET UP VAT RETURNS CREDIT CONTROL OUT OF HOURS CONSULTATIONS BUSINESS PLANS PAYROLL • CIS GENERAL BOOKKEEPING CORPORATION TAX Don’t let this be you at the end of the tax year ASK A PROFESSIONAL Small Employers Welcome Part-time Furlough Responding to the announcement that the Job Retention Scheme will be extended to the end of October, with employers given the freedom to furlough sta on a part-time basis from August, Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Development Manager for Hampshire Nicola Bailey said: “Extending the Job Retention Scheme (JRS) and allowing small firms to furlough staff on a part-time basis will protect thousands of livelihoods over the months ahead. Our members have been telling us loud and clear that the ability to furlough staff on a part-time basis will be central to aiding gradual recovery at a time when economic activity is still in the doldrums. We await further detail on the contributions that will be required of small employers after July. We need to ensure that those obligations are affordable for the many businesses that have had no revenue coming in for months now, but still have fixed overheads to worry about. Our five million-strong self-employed community is also seeking reassurances about the measures that will be taken to avoid a cliff edge moment where income support is concerned. Many have benefited from the hugely ambitious income support scheme that was established for them – some have not – but they will all need additional help from this government over the coming months. Policymakers may have to look very closely at additional hardship funds for those that are currently falling through the gaps.” Poets Corner Following the announcement of the Government’s rst sketch of a road map for reopening society, the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) launched a free online tool to help businesses start to develop their own road map to restart, restore and recover. e Covid-19 Business Support Tool provides businesses in the Solent with an invaluable review of their current position in a range of key areas, including; business strategy and opera- tions, sales and marketing, supply chain, customers and clients, employees and peo- ple management and nance. Developed to support Solent-based businesses adjust to the gradual easing of measures taken in response to Covid-19, the tool allows rms to create a bespoke report on their current position and bench-mark them- selves against others in their industry, as well as providing tailored information on what actions to take to access support in the areas it is most required. SJ Hunt, Solent LEP Director and Chair of the LEPs Coronavirus Business Support Taskforce, said: “Covid-19 has had a major impact on so many areas of business and the LEPs first priority has been ensuring companies can access support to deal with immediate challenges. However, as lock- down measures begin to ease, it is just as important to ensure that businesses are supported in their transition to what will be a new normal for many. Our Covid-19 Business Support Tool will be a key ele- ment of our approach to this and help our business leaders identify and focus on the area’s most critical for their business. We’re encouraging all businesses in the Solent region to utilise this tool and to contact our Solent Growth Hub team if they are seeking support or assistance in relation to business planning for the coming months.” e Covid-19 Business Support Tool has been designed to be completed by mem- bers of a company’s management team who will have oversight of all operations. Taking approximately 15-20 minutes to complete, it produces a downloadable report that will inform the development of a road map to restart, restore and recover business operations and signpost a range of resources, both locally and national- ly, that will add value to the business throughout the implementation of these plans. e Covid-19 Business Support Tool is available immediately for businesses to access at the following link: https:// solentlepcovid19.benchmarkindex.com Solent LEP Launches Tool To Help Business Restart, Restore and Recover Lockdown Life by Lucy Kitcher, age 11 Lockdown; a time when people stay home, Children miss their school friends and family. We need to keep safe and clear of others, But do not fear, do not feel alone. Neighbours clapping proudly for the NHS, School working and learning, doing my best. Shopping for family, baking cakes to share, Chatting on the phone, showing that I care. Walking the dog and taking a stroll, Making memories, remembering the scene. Exploring woodland, finding bluebells, Their pops of colour against the green. It’s the small things, That bring joy in sad times, That togetherness brings, Along with this happy rhyme. If you’re feeling down, do not frown. Be safe and always be happy! In these days of lock-down tempers might be frayed so I’m asking those of you that must be obeyed to stop using acronyms which annoy us each time especially me as it’s hard to nd a rhyme. We are doing what is right and listen nearly each night to your report, so now I must exhort you to listen to my plea, I’m sure there are others just like me so your message would be stronger if you took a little longer to say the words in full, not cut down so we have to look them up, which makes us frown as we try to remember what those letters mean. We don’t have that problem With a message from the queen. We will still listen each day, try to really understand what those charts say but if you cut out acronyms - that would be REALLY grand. OK! ACRONYMS by Lexley George Lighting up the barby, ere’s cobwebs on the chair! A big round empty table With too much room to share. e grill looks rather sparse With food just for two. We have to follow the lockdown rules. So it’s hubby, me and Jessie,our Shih Tzu. ere’s no jibes and cheeky banter. Not the usual family muddle. And very worst of all, No grandchildren to cuddle! So I get on and eat me sausage Cooked to hubby’s perfect style. Who looks a bit pissed o , “ Is this really worth our while?” It does feel rather pitiful. e silence echoes in me ears. Looking round the deserted garden My eyes ll up with tears . I sit and look at the cobwebs As I slowly drink me ciders. Finally I end up having a chat With the friggin’ spiders At the beginning of Covid 19 No-one but no-one could envisage the scene That the streets would be bare And all would be still Homes under Lockdown So so surreal Until the virus raised its head And brought us to a holt We all took life for granted Could it all be us at fault Did we care about each other Did we just walk on our way? Now the virus has raised its head Shall we see another day Our Doctors and our Nurses Are on the front line Holding the Fort for us all Because the virus raised its head And death has come to call Why is this virus sapping life? When will the battle end? What can we do if anything? How can the world we mend? Lives will be changed forever Let’s hope the world might heal And love and peace will take its place And all the cracks might seal THE VIRUS Written by Pat Hare Cobwebs On The Chair by Marlene Parmenter