Page 1 of 18 Everything Epping Forest 01/02/2010

Everything Epping ForestPage 17 of 181st December 2009In this month's column, Loughton-based accountants Haslers focus on parties foremployees and business rate bills.Parties for employees - The good news is that, unlike entertaining customers, the costsof entertaining employees are generally allowable against the profits of the business.But what is the tax treatment for the employees themselves? Is it a perk of their jobs andwill they have to pay tax on a benefit?Generally, as long as the total costs of employee annual functions in a tax year are lessthan £150 per attendee (VAT inclusive) there will be no tax implications for the employeesthemselves.In considering this limit make sure you have included all the costs, which may include notonly the meal itself but also any drinks, transport and accommodation that you provide.If the costs are above the £150 limit then do get in touch so we can advise you how best todeal with them.Business rates bills - The government has confirmed that 60 per cent of business rateswill fall next year as a result of revaluation and that it will not collect a penny more of extrarevenue as a result of the 2010 revaluation, which is carried out every five years.However, rates bills for some businesses will rise significantly.The government recently announced it will remove the requirement to re-apply for smallbusiness rate relief, which can reduce business rates by up to 50 per cent, at revaluation,reducing bureaucracy for small businesses and billing authorities.CBI deputy director-general John Cridland said: "We’re concerned by the government’sannouncement on business rates. Although business rates will fall overall, in some areasof the country they will rise sharply, which is worrying at this critical time for the economy."We called for the government to cap business rate increases at lower levels than thoseannounced. For example, we called for a maximum rise of 7.5 per cent for largerproperties, but the government has announced a maximum rise of 12.5 per cent. This isworrying."We’re particularly concerned about the potential for sharp rises in business rates inLondon, where properties were revalued near the height of the market. Given theeconomic situation, a significant rise in business rates could make a critical difference tocompanies trying to survive the recession."Armed raid on antiques shop1st December 2009THE owner of a Loughton antiques shop has been robbed at knifepoint, threatened with ameat cleaver and left tied up by a gang who fled with his Rolex watch and over £1,000 incash.The armed raid happened at the shop in Church Hill at 3.30pm yesterday (Monday) whentwo men ran in and pushed the 45-year-old owner to the floor.They demanded his Rolex watch and threatened him with a meat cleaver and kitchenknife.The shopkeeper was then forced in to the rear of the shop where the men demanded thathe open the safe.They bound his wrists and ankles and stole the Rolex watch worth thousands of pounds aswell as over £1,000 cash.Both men were white and wore dark clothes with the hoods up and scarves covering theirfaces.Police said the victim was left shaken but otherwise uninjured.Anyone with information should contact Dc Ian Forsith at Epping CID on 0300 333 4444 orCrimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.Increase in village burglaries1st December 2009THE number of break-ins in the Moreton, Bobbingworth, Fyfield and The Lavers area hasdoubled in the last year.Police have recently been dealing with about seven burglaries a month, police communitysupport officer Sally Jackson told the annual meeting of Moreton, Bobbingworth and TheLavers Parish Council on Monday.But she added: "We have got operations set up across the district and we've made somefantastic arrests."Police have arrested four people who have been remanded in custody.She told the meeting that crimes were being committed by people coming into the area viamajor transport routes - the M11 and A12 - and into Romford with farm outbuildings anddiesel being specifically targeted.Motorists face flooded roads1st December 2009ONGAR Road in Abridge is closed this morning because of flooding.The road is impassable between the village and Passingford Bridge because of floodingnear Stapleford Airfield.It is the second successive morning where motorists have had to find alternative routes towork during the rush hour.Yesterday (Monday) heavy overnight and early-morning rain made many roads in the areavirtually impassable.Stondon Road, Ongar (pictured) - a notorious troublespot when the River Roding bursts itsbanks - was probably the worst affected.At least one motorist broke down having negotiated the flooded road at Hallsford Bridge.Others decided to turn round and seek an alternative route.However many other roads were also affected by heavy surface water as water poured offthe waterlogged fields.Stanford Rivers and Toot Hill, and several stretches along Epping Road between Toot Hilland Tawney Common, posed a hazard to rush-hour drivers.The Environment Agency issued a flood warning along the River Roding which burst itsbanks at several places between Ongar, Abridge and Loughton.01/02/2010