Page 10 - Phonebox Magazine April 2016

Readers’ Letters Sainsburys Rejection
Dear Sir, As an Olney resident I agree 100% with Mr Peter Courtis argument regarding the disgraceful decision by MK Development Control Committee to reject the planning proposal for a decent supermarket in Olney. Beside the casting vote of one man, let us not forget that half of that committee voted against the project, however in view of past decision regarding our area one has to ask the question of what in uence Tesco has on these types of decision on MK Council?
Although too old to start campaign I hope someone in Olney can organise some kind of defence for the vast majority (84%) of the residents of Olney on this matter. Walter Micallef, Olney
Putting Pen to Paper
Newport Pagnell Flowers
As some of you may know, I am one of the volunteer gardeners who look after parts of Newport Pagnell. Our main area of work is the Parish Church graveyard and the Ousebank Gardens. This year, as before, we have bought and planted many bulbs and owers to make walking through here a pleasurable experience. There are people who come up to us and compliment us on our efforts. Some are so pleased with our owers that they have taken some home with them. This is not right for plants to be taken like this. We get our plants with either the grant from Newport Pagnell Town Council, or buying and bringing in our own. We do not steal from others!
I have lived in Newport for nearly forty years and moved here because the town and the people in it felt right. That feeling is now tainted by the action of a small section of that community. I came across a man picking snowdrops a week or two back. It seemed a waste of time explaining that you should not pick owers that you do not own, as the damage had already been done. This may seem trivial to a lot of you, but theft is theft. No matter what the goods are.
John C Smith, Newport Pagnell Partnership Gardeners
Happy 90th Birthday
Ken Mynard
4th April 2016
Cox & Co.
Chartered Accountants & Registered Auditors
BUDGET REPORT
Having previously announced increases in dividend tax rates for 2016/17, the Chancellor had some good news for small businens owners in his budget speech, although there was bad news for those trying to avoid tax.
It is fair to say that it is now virtually impossible for tax payers to work out their tax liabilities using a pencil and paper. This may well be part of the government’s grand plan to encourage tax payers to use software to communicate with HMRC electronically.
David Cox BA FCA FCCA
SIGNIFICANT POINTS
• Tax-free Personal Allowance will be increased to £11,500 with effect from 6 April 2017.
• Individuals will be able to earn up to £1,000 from trading, and a further £1,000 from letting property, before they need to declare the income or pay tax.
• SDLT due on the purchase of commercial property is reformed, with new bands and rates effective from 17th March 2016.
• Entrepreneurs’ Relief reinstated for gains made on business goodwill transferred on incorporation to a close company. In some circumstances this change is backdated to 3 December 2014.
• Capital Gain Tax rates reduced to 20% for higher rate taxpayers and 10% for basic rate taxpayers from 6 April 2016, but no change for CGT due on disposals of residential prorerty or receipts of ‘carried interest’.
• Corporation Tax charged on directors’ loans increased from 25% to 32.5% where the loan is still outstanding nine months after the company’s year-end.
• Business rate relief for small businesses expanded and made permanent.
01234 888703 First 20 businesses to email david@coxco.co.uk
www.coxco.co.uk
will receive a copy of our 2016/17 tax card
10 Phonebox Magazine | April 2016
If you have anything to say, get in touch by writing to The Editor, Phonebox Magazine, Unit 2 Stanley Court, Olney, Bucks MK46 5NH, or emailing editor@phoneboxmagazine.com. Alternatively, you can get in touch at facebook.com/phoneboxmag