MEMBERSNEWS
Work takes off on new Kent landmark Leading Kent builder Epps Construction has made a flying start to work on one of the most iconic building projects currently underway in the county. The Battle of Britain Memorial Trust asked the family firm, one of the county’s top construction companies, to build The Wing, a visitor experience and education centre that will be at the heart of the National Memorial to the Few at Capel-le-Ferne. The Ashford-based company, which specialises in helping clients achieve cost savings by using innovative methods, has already finished piling the site and the uniquely-shaped building will soon start to appear. Managing Director Richard Epps said he was “absolutely delighted” to have won the contract to build the centre, which has been designed by Folkestone firm Godden Allen Lawn in the shape of a Spitfire wing. The building also features a central first floor viewing gallery that will offer spectacular views over the Channel, from where the Luftwaffe appeared day after day in the summer and late autumn of 1940. “This is a fantastic opportunity to create a stunning building that will stand as a reminder of the bravery and sacrifice of the aircrew of the RAF,” said Richard.
Epps was given a significant helping hand at the start of the project when Battle of Britain veteran Wing Commander Bob Foster DFC AE took to the helm of an Epps Construction excavator to make a start on clearing the site. The Wing, set to be open in time for the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain in 2015, will feature high-tech audio-visual displays that will tell the story of the battle, as well as an education area where schoolchildren will be able to learn about the historic event. The Battle of Britain Memorial Trust needs another £1m to complete the hightech experience, but has raised enough cash to complete the building itself. It was helped by Epps Construction’s expertise in carrying out a ‘value engineering’ process in which it worked with Godden Allen Lawn to reduce the costs of the project without affecting its appearance.
“Live as if you were to die South East businesses get up to £2,000 tax cut tomorrow. Learn as if you About 200,000 businesses in the South East could see their National Insurance Contributions (NICs) cut by up to £2,000 when the new Employment Allowance is introduced in April 2014.
were to live forever.”
Mahatma Gandhi
Across the UK 1.25 million businesses and charities will benefit from the new allowance on employer NICs. In the South East 68,000 will pay no employer NICs at all.
As a soft skills training provider, I specialise in the design, delivery and evaluation of training initiatives and have worked with a wide range of organizations of various sizes in the public and private sectors for almost twenty years.
The allowance will mean that a business that employs one person on £22,400 will pay no employer NICs on that employee’s earnings. A business employing five adults full-time on the national minimum wage will see their employer NICs bill reduced by over 80 per cent.
Though standard and bespoke training packages, I always aim to work closely with clients, placing a high priority on understanding organizational culture and business needs, and to ensure accurate training design and appropriate delivery style.
Available every year, the allowance will be simple to claim and easy to administer. Businesses will confirm their eligibility for the allowance through their regular payroll processes and up to £2,000 will be deducted from their employer NICs liability over the course of the year. Businesses paying NICs of £2,000 or less will pay no employer NICs at all. Over 90 per cent of the benefit of the new allowance will go to businesses with fewer than 50 employees. Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, David Gauke, said: “Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy and we want to do what we can to support them.”
Flexibility is offered concerning course duration, including full days, half days, short sessions, early or late sessions and Saturday training. My Consultancy Service offer 360° Feedback, Mystery Shopper, and Team support to identify issues and support struggling team members. A Counseling Service is available for staff needing additional help and support: www.prismcounseling.org. Contact details: telephone 07881029702, email Jackie@platform4training.com, website www.platform4training.com.
December 2013-January 2014 ThinkingBUSINESS
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