Dear Members and Colleagues

I hope you are keeping well and managing to cope as best as possible in the current situation. Given the advice from the government, we have postponed all networking events until further notice, when we are all informed that things are improving.

However, let’s all try and stay in touch and do please feel free to let me know if there is anything we or other members can do to help out with.

Gerry
Tel: 07958 584479
Email: gerry@londonscc.co.uk

Many LSCC members have offered up advice along with their own services as an aid during this time, we’ll be updating this page with info as it comes:

• Guy Bridger of Taxfile suggests looking at the following site:

https://www.sage.com/engb/coronavirus/utm_campaign=ACS_20Q2_C4L_GBIE_INSU_Accountants_ABDataCleansePreEmailfix&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua

• Debra Wilson of Anthony Gold suggests looking at the documents below:

• Andrew Charnock of HR Dept suggests www.hrdept.co.uk/coronavirus. He is also happy to speak to members regarding advice on employment-related issues in the current situation and can be contacted on 0845 8630663 or andrew.charnock@hrdept.co.uk He has also sent a PowerPoint detailing the job retention scheme which can be downloaded by clicking here.
• Simone Bowman of Bow Law Chambers is offering 15-minute legal advice sessions over Zoom/Skype on anything relating to:

1. Immediate drafting of Wills, Powers of Attorney (In Welfare and Finance/Property, which means granting a loved one the power to deal with their affairs in the event that they cannot)
2. Probate advice and administration of Estates for anyone who has unfortunately passed away
3. Reviewing their Employment Contracts, Risk Policies
4. Consideration of Redundancies and the legal framework they should follow
5. Advice on temporary laying off staff
6. Professional Ethics and Compliance with Home Working and drafting disclaimers and data protection of Client data if appropriate

• Cosimo Fenocchi of Mbare points out that his restaurant in Clapham is currently closed but members can purchase vouchers for when it reopens on the following site:

https://lovelocalclapham.co.uk/collections/restaurants/products/mbarefbclid=IwAR1BmTBG9VYs_A0jSpSnfujko6FioZftgcMLDmjVmmzRLyRGhNplM4aw9YM

• Radiana Vlahova of Staybridge Suites tells us: Staybridge Suites Vauxhall is remaining OPEN. We are here to support key workers and we are taking every possible measure to ensure the safety of our team and guests while cooperating closely with UK Government requirements. We have reduced many of our services to comply with social distancing rules – this is for both YOUR safety and for the safety of our EMPLOYEES. We are following rigorous cleaning routines providing calm, positive, and well stock sanctuary for our guests. Sanitizing wipes and handwashing facilities are available throughout the property.  With effect from Monday 23^rd of March to avoid gatherings, the Social Evening events are canceled until further notice and breakfast are offered on a ‘grab and go’ basis for guests to enjoy in their suites. Drop me a message for any questions: radiana@vauxhall.staybridge.com #weareinthistogether #staybridgevauxhal
• Maria Lacatus of Morley College points out that, when it becomes possible, the College will be running some courses that could be of interest to other members or their employees. They lead to professional qualifications such as ATT Diploma or Certificate in Accounting and Payroll Level 1 and 2.
  • Level 1 Award in Payroll for Business – acc Bridge Rd – Learners will gain knowledge and skills to process the payroll under edited course – Start date: 15 September 2020 – End date: 24 November 2020 – Tuesday – 18:00-21: 00- At Morley College – Westminster Bridge Rd. – This course Introduces payroll record keeping and processing Level 2 Award in Payroll for Business – accredited course – Start date: 19 January 2021 – End date: 27 April 2021 – Tuesday – 18:00-21:00 – At Morley College – Westminster Real Time Information (RTI) regulations and keep accurate payroll records –Full fee £545- 20% discount per student enrolled sing using commercially available computerized software –Full fee £500- 20% discount per student enrolled
    

  • AAT Level 2 Foundation Certificate in Bookkeeping – accredited course – Start date: 19 September 2020 – End date: 16 January 2021 – Saturday – 09:30-17:00 – – At Morley College – Westminster Bridge Rd – This AAT Access Award in Bookkeeping qualification will develop your understanding of the role of the bookkeeper.  This qualification is suitable for students with no previous accounting experience but who wish to develop basic bookkeeping skills to improve their employability or to progress in their current occupation – Full fee £691 – 20% discount per student enrolled

• Stephen Ventham of Ventham Consulting has expressed concerns of fraudsters capitalizing on the outbreak and you can find more detailed advice he has provided on the matter here.
• The Government recently announced advice and plans for the future, these can be found here.
• Guy bridger of tax file is aiding chamber members and the public in claiming all they can from the government aid schemes, to find out more click here.
• Phillip Henwood of 4 Eyes Ltd talks about the surge in alcohol prices caused by the pandemic, how the EU distance selling regime is fueling this, and the implications this has for distributors and online sellers alike. If you’d like to read this in full click here.

Note: The last day to submit a new member of staff to the furlough program was Wednesday 10th June. This was because the furlough scheme is being closed for new entrants from June 30th, after that employers will only be able to furlough employees that they have furloughed for a full three-week period prior to 30 June.

We are happy to congratulate a construction-industry stalwart and LSCC member, who has been awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours list.

John White is the manager of Southwark Construction Skills Centre, which has provided training to 8,000 people since it was founded three-and-a-half years ago and joined the Chamber at the same time. The Centre is a partnership between another member, Lendlease, which is sponsoring the Awards and Southwark Council, one of the programme’s organisers.

John received the confidential news of his award a few weeks before the formal announcement on January 1.

“It was a surprise, very shocking,” he said. “I was digging the garden and someone said ‘you have a letter here, do you want to open this, it looks very official’ and I did, then I went back to digging as I couldn’t quite believe it.”

The Skills Centre, located in Lendlease’s Elephant Park, works closely with employers and residents, to provide employees with the skills required by businesses.

John said: “We work within our community, within South London. We are going to employers, finding out what they want. If they are going to employ people, what jobs are on offer? What are the skills they need? What kind of person are they looking for? Then, we run the training.”

“My big push is to make sure the training is open to everyone. There are barriers to training, maybe age, previous qualifications, and we want there to be no barriers. If you are 16 or 74, no matter where you come from in the community, the opportunity is open. If you’re the right person, you’re the right person.”

The centre trains ex-offenders, ex-military and ex-gang members, people referred from the job centre, or those who just drop in – for no appointment is necessary – such as mums with children in tow. The training includes new skills as well as upskilling, for example, of retired members of the construction industry coming back to work in a less labour-intensive, more plant-dominated environment. John also reached out to the local Latin American community in Elephant Park, with more than 200 people turning up to his initial presentation.

Apprentices are also important and John is “keen that they go into the community to work rather than just into our yard or classroom”.

The many and varied projects apprentices have become involved in include Southwark Peace Gardens in Walworth Road, dedicated to reducing knife crime and providing support to community members affected by it.

The Diversity Garden in King James Street and Surrey Docks Farm in Rotherhithe are also beneficiaries.

In 2020, the Centre will be expanding to Brixton and to Stratford in partnership with Transport for London. John will also be attending Buckingham Palace to receive his medal.