CITY NEWS

CITYNEWS

UP THE BEAK, TWICE A WEEK

Residents in Bath and North East Somerset are being encouraged to get into the habit of having a rapid Covid-19 test. Over the coming weeks, lockdown restrictions are expected to be loosened across England with changes including the return of organised sport, as well as groups of six people or two households being allowed to mix outdoors. This means an increased risk of transmission, and so individuals going out to work, volunteers, and parents and carers are being urged to regularly visit one of the test centres in B&NES to either take a test, or to pick up a test kit.

Having a Covid-19 lateral flow test (LFT), is quick and easy. Once you’ve registered online, getting tested takes just five minutes, with results sent later that day. The tests are open to anyone over the age of 16 who lives or works in Bath and North East Somerset – provided they don’t have symptoms. This includes essential workers and volunteers, those people unable to work from home, personal carers and childminders.

There are three sites in Bath and North East Somerset where you can take a quick, free test (The Apex Hotel, James Street, Bath; The Masonic Hall, Bath Road, Keynsham; and The Centurion Hotel, Charlton Lane, Midsomer Norton) and two venues (Carpenter House in Broad Quay and 1st Keynsham Scouts HQ in Ashton Way) where you can collect a test kit and test yourself at home. These sites are all open from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday. You can also book online, up to two weeks in advance. bathnes.gov.uk/rapidtest

GREEN WARMTH GRANT

More low-income householders across Bath and North East Somerset are now eligible for financial help to make energy efficiency improvements to their homes.

Bath & North East Somerset Council has won additional funding from the government to expand its Green Home Grants Scheme and is now for the first time extending the scheme to houses with a D energy rating as well as those with an E F or G rating. Residents of qualifying properties, whose household’s joint annual income is less than £30,000, can apply for a council Green Affordable Warmth Grant to upgrade their home with double glazing, insulation or low carbon-heating.

Improvements for homeowners will be fully funded with an average of £10,000 available, while renters and owner-occupiers may be eligible for upgrades with landlords receiving up to two-thirds of the cost, up to an average of £5,000, dependent on the work required. The upgrade required for a property will be identified by a property retrofit assessment visit. Visit energyathome.org.uk or call 0800 038 5680.

HORRIBLE HAUNT

Tickets are now on sale online for Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein, the immersive new visitor attraction opening in Bath this year, and there is a preopening discount offering up to 20% off until 25 April. All early bookers can enjoy 10% off the standard online price and a further 20% saving on group tickets for parties of five or more.

Guests purchasing the attraction’s bespoke ebooks, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and The Life of Mary Shelly, A Concise Biography, will automatically receive one free ticket worth up to £13.95 now, or £15.50 at the standard online price. houseoffrankenstein.com

LONGLEAT COUNTRY ESCAPES

Longleat is launching its own brand of exclusive rural retreats at a selection of historic properties on its Wiltshire estate. Visitors will be able to choose from six individually designed luxurious country getaways; each with its own fascinating story and stunning setting.

Guests enjoying the luxurious interior design of Keeper’s House and Keeper’s Cottage, will have the added excitement of being able to watch the inhabitants of the East Africa reserve wandering past their window, with far-reaching views over the famous Safari Park.

“These unique properties have been entirely transformed into luxurious overnight spaces with every modern convenience available for a truly unforgettable short-break experience,” said Ceawlin, Lord Bath, executive chairman of Longleat Enterprises.

Initially East Lodge, Keeper’s House and Keeper’s Cottage will be available for bookings from April, with Deer Keeper’s House, Gardener’s Cottage and Prairie Lodge being added in time for the summer. Prices start from £375 per night. All of the accommodation options include Longleat Park

Tickets for the duration of the guests’ stay. longleat.co.uk

ocl

ACCOUNTANCY

141 Englishcombe Lane, Bath BA2 2EL Tel: 01225 445507 www.oclaccountancy.com

Can your company buy your home?

Using your company to buy your home was once relatively tax efficient, despite it counting as a taxable benefit in kind. Generally, the tax and Class 1A NI liabilities were modest, but this meant company ownership of homes became sufficiently popular that HMRC introduced higher rates of stamp duty land tax (SDLT) and a new tax, the annual tax on enveloped dwellings (ATED), to make the exercise much less favourable.

The current SDLT holiday applies to company (as well as personal) purchases of homes of up to £500,000 and so is again encouraging clients to look at this option.

If your company buys a home for you, a higher rate of SDLT of 15% applies if the property costs more than £500,000. On top of this your company will have to pay the ATED for any year in which it owns a dwelling worth £500,000 or more. In 2021/22 for very high value properties, the ATED is £237,400!

Another significant disadvantage to your company buying and owning your home is that when it’s sold the capital gains tax (CGT) private residence relief won’t apply. That means your company will have to pay corporation tax (CT) on the full amount of any profit (capital gain) it makes.

Unless there are non-tax factors affecting the decision - or your property is unlikely to ever reach the value where the ATED applies - getting your company to buy your home is unlikely to be tax efficient. However, there’s an alternative way you can use your company’s money to help with the purchase of a new home; instead of borrowing from a high street lender your company can lend you the money interest free.

The loan will be a benefit in kind but the tax is relatively modest. The amount on which you’ll be charged is 2.25% of the average loan balance over the tax year. So, if the balance is, say, £250,000 you’ll be taxed on £5,624. As you repay the loan the amount on which you’re taxed reduces.

There will also be a one-off tax charge for your company, being 32.5% of the loan. However, it’s a temporary tax (more a cashflow penalty) which HMRC will refund each year that the balance of the loan reduces. At current rates the interest your company would lose from having to pay this bill is minimal. .

For tax saving tips contact us – call Marie Sheldrake, Tom Hulett or Mike Wilcox on 01225 445507

Call Marie Sheldrake, Tom Hulett or Mike Wilcox on 01225 445507 to arrange a no-obligation meeting

The importance of appointing a guardian for your children

Becoming a parent is life-changing and with so much planning involved along the way, it is hardly surprising that many people do not consider drafting a Will and appointing a guardian at what is a very important stage of their lives.

Why appoint a guardian?

If there was one person in the world you would trust to bring up your child, who would it be?

This is a difficult question, and one which can prevent people from finalising their Wills. Making a Will and incorporating a “guardianship clause allows you specify who you would like to bring up your child if you were not around as opposed to leaving it to the court to decide.

Should I make a Will?

A guardianship appointment only needs to be in writing and signed and dated to be valid. It can be a letter of wishes, setting out how you would like your child to be brought up. This can include a range of different things, from the kind of education you would like them to have, to sports, activities or hobbies you would like them to take part in. You can even specify which family members and friends you would like your child to be kept in touch with.

It is a very personal letter and, although not legally binding, it can be very useful for the person responsible for bringing up your child. However it is worth thinking about including this in your Will as this also takes into account other aspects of the administration of your estate such as who your executors/trustees will be as they will be responsible for dealing with the estate funds and releasing money to the guardian.

For more information in relation to appointing a guardian or making a Will, please contact David Hill on 01225 750 000 or david.hill@mogersdrewett.com we are here to help.

CITYUPDATES

PTA CROWDFUNDING FOR BEECHEN

A new crowdfunding campaign from the PTA at Beechen Cliff School in Bath has raised £20,000 within weeks of being launched, with donations to support several initiatives.

The sum of £5,000 will be earmarked towards supporting the ongoing work within school for the mental health and wellbeing strategy for families and staff adversely affected by the pandemic. A further £5,000 will be used to buy school laptops and IT equipment. And £10,000 will be spent on amenities to provide Covid-safe lunch facilities within the new school clubhouse, a previously funded PTA initiative. Further donations received over and above the £20,000 on this campaign will be used to continue to support the ongoing mental health and wellbeing of its pupils.

If you would like to add your support for Beechen Cliff School, please visit: app.investmycommunity.com

OPEN DOORS AT GRITTLETON

Grittleton House will soon be opening their doors once again. In the meantime they are inviting visitors to see for themselves everything the location has to offer as a wedding and events venue at its Wedding Open House on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 April, from 10am to 3pm.

The house will be beautifully dressed for a wedding, and visitors will have access all areas. The friendly team look forward to welcoming you to its Covid safe venue, where it will be following all of the necessary Covid guidelines relevant to the time of this event.

Grittleton House, owned by the Shipp Family for over 50 years, is a stunning, luxury wedding venue on the edge of the Cotswolds with an impressive tree-lined drive, statuesque manor house, and 36 acres of formal gardens and grounds. Visitors will be able to enjoy the tulip walk which is now in full bloom. grittletonhouse.co.uk

FREE LEGAL CLINIC

A free legal clinic is to be launched following a partnership between three high-profile organisations in Bath.

The initiative, between law firm Stone King, Bath Spa University and Citizens Advice B&NES, will be called The Bath Law Clinic and will see top-quality legal advice delivered to local residents while at the same time developing work experience opportunities for the lawyers of the future. Students on Bath Spa University’s law degree course will gain vital experience at the clinic and will be supported by lawyers from Stone King. And, in a move which will combine the private and not-for-profit sector, Stone King will also help to fund a coordinator’s role at the advice centre.

Citizens Advice B&NES is based at Edgar Buildings, George Street, Bath, and also carries out outreach work in surrounding areas. “We are proud and excited to announce the first steps in this long-term strategic partnership with Bath Spa University and Stone King solicitors,” said Les Redwood, Chief Executive Officer at Citizens Advice B&NES. “We have been delivering a long-term strategy of greater community engagement and increased partnerships across the region over the last two years and this will be another core partnership for the charity delivered over the course of this coming year.” citizensadvicebanes.org.uk

RUSSELL FLINT AUCTION

Lawrences will be auctioning six watercolours by Russell Flint from a private collection on 23 April.

Sir William Russell Flint (1880–1969) was President of The Royal Watercolour Society from 1936–1956 and he refined his draughtsmanship and washes to such a degree that his pictures manage to look strikingly realistic and other-worldly at one and the same time. Despite his professional accolades, his artistic peers scrupled to show him the respect that he might have thought he deserved, criticising the lack of intellectual content in his pictures and the simple ease of his subjects. But Flint was a popular and acclaimed public personality, wealthy and successful, and a demeanour of stolid respectability throughout his long life. lawrences.co.uk

NEW APPOINTMENT AT MOGERS DREWETT

A new appointment brings specialist expertise into the Financial Planning Team of South-West based law firm Mogers Drewett who have created a new combined legal and financial service that will benefit clients going through divorce or separation. Chartered Financial Planner and Fellow of the Personal Finance Society, Daniel Gornall joins the Financial Planning Team (MDFP) specialising in providing Independent Financial Advice to those going through divorce or separation. Daniel, an Associate Member of Resolution and community of Family Lawyers, has over the last 15 years helped many clients achieve their desired future lifestyle after a relationship breakdown. He is now working towards attaining Resolution’s Specialist Accreditation, which will mean he is one of fewer than 40 Financial Planners in the UK with this specialist qualification.

Daniel said: “I’m delighted to be joining Mogers Drewett and helping strengthen their proposition for individuals going through relationship breakdown and divorce. There are many areas where a financial professional can assist during the divorce process and I look forward to working alongside the Mogers Drewett Family Team for the benefit of their clients.” mogersdrewett.com

GREAT BATH FEAST

The Great Bath Feast returns to Bath on 24–26 September, taking place on Milsom Street as a free event celebrating the best locally sourced food and drink. Beyond the weekend, there will be a number of curated and fringe events throughout October.

The Great Bath Feast will offer chef demos, a food and drink trail and the Milsom Street Market with market stalls and pop-ups from some of Bath’s local suppliers, along with food from further afield. Richard Bertinet, owner of The Bertinet Kitchen cookery school, will curate the line-up in partnership with the festival’s organisers, as well as doing a demo. Others taking part are Chris Cleghorn, head chef of the Olive Tree restaurant and Ping Coombes, winner of the Master Chef trophy in 2014. Launched by Visit Bath in 2012, The Great Bath Feast is being resurrected by local residents, Lee and Roxy Bater, owners of ILOW (ilowhq.com), Cornwall’s leading food and drink events company. greatbathfeast.co.uk; info@ilowhq.com

The Bath Priory has plans to welcome visitors to enjoy some spring-time outdoor fun. From 12 April, the terrace and four acres of gardens will be open for all-day alfresco dining, with a new informal terrace menu serving breakfast, brunch, lunch and supper, packed with seasonal, light and exciting dishes. For a full day out, there are new exclusive-use pool and poolside packages for up to 12 guests from two families, which include exclusive use of the pool and poolside areas, delicious food throughout the day and access to the gardens and garden games. Half day and indoor pool packages are also available. The exclusive use Pool Fun Day Packages for the heated outdoor and indoor pools will be on offer from 12 April, available until the hotel re-opens to residential guests on 17 May. Pre-booking is required. thebathpriory.co.uk

BATH PRIORY

YO! FOOD

Iconic restaurant group YO!, famed for its handcrafted sushi and fresh Japanese food, will introduce its second YO! TO GO in Bath on 2 April. Situated on Brunel Square (Vaults 1–3), the exciting new ‘grab and go’ format will feature a range of sushi sets freshly rolled each day, including YO! classics like the Sushi Sharer and Crunchy California Roll, as well as a selection of hot, fresh street food like the ever-popular Ramen, Katsu Curry and Gyoza. With 13 different vegan dishes on the menu, there are plenty of meat and fishfree options for customers to enjoy. yosushi.com

ENJOY FRESH AIR EATS

Luxury country house hotel Homewood will open its Olio Terrace from 12 April. With a large patio, outdoor kitchen, rustic pizza oven, relaxed seating area and views across the gardens, the terrace welcomes guests for lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and cocktails.

Executive chef James Forman’s menus include generous feasting platters for sharing and great British favourites. For private groups of six (limited to two households), Homewood’s heated Olio Chalets offer a welcoming space (these must be pre-booked). The Olio Terrace will be open every day from 12–9pm.

Luxury boutique hotel, The Bird in the centre of Bath, will also open its Plate Terrace on 12 April. Offering one of the city’s best al-fresco views, the terrace has a mix of relaxed seating, which includes covered pavilions for the terrace. The Plate Terrace will be open from 11am to 10pm, Wednesday to Sunday for drinks, lunch and dinner service, as well as for breakfast from 9am at the weekend. homewoodbath.co.uk; thebirdbath.co.uk

OUTDOOR OPENING

The Hare & Hounds, The Locksbrook Inn and The Moorfields, all owned by the Bath Pub Company, are due to open on 12 April, serving food and drinks in their outside spaces. A part of each pub’s garden will be covered by a marquee to provide protection. Visitors can make reservations via each pub’s website. The company’s fourth pub, The Marlborough Tavern in Marlborough Buildings, is undergoing a refit and will reopen in early May. Each of The Bath Pub Company’s four pubs has its own distinct personality with each chef creating his own menu, but with common values of quality and passion. hareandhoundsbath.com; marlboroughtavern.com; themoorfields.com; thebathpubcompany.com

SUGARCANE STUDIO

After a successful couple of years trading at Bath Farmers' Market, Sugarcane Studio have opened their first shop on Grove Street, just around the corner from the picturesque Pulteney Bridge, bringing Bath some super-fine patisserie. The French patisserie with an Asian flavour, from Taiwanese pastry chef Fang-Yu Lin, offers a uniquely fascinating, fabulous range of macarons, madeleines, marshmallows, choux buns and bespoke cakes and patisserie. sugarcanestudio.co.uk

EDUCATION NEWS

YOUNG REPORTER AWARD

Wilamena Dyer, a Year 10 pupil at Wells Cathedral School is one of two regional winners in the south and west of England regions in this year’s BBC Young Reporter Competition for her report on How Music Helps Cope with Tourette’s Syndrome. Wilamena’s inspiring three-minute film is about how playing a musical instrument can lessen or even prevent Tourette’s tics. As part of the film she interviewed her cello teacher Penny Driver at Wells as well as several other musicians with Tourette’s syndrome. The film aims to show that Tourette’s syndrome is much more complex than the media portrays. More than 2,500 young people aged 11–18 submitted original and interesting story ideas to the competition and Wilamena’s report was shortlisted from over a thousand entries across the south and west. wells.cathedral.school

NEW RECRUITS

Stonar School has announced that Mr Mark Ebden will be joining the school as deputy head (academic) and Dr Andrew Passmore has been appointed as director of music, both starting in September 2021. Mr Ebden comes from Roedean School where he leads the faculty of science and psychology and is a Research Associate. Following a 1st Class Master’s degree in Chemistry (MSci) from the University of Bristol, Mr Ebden started his teaching career at St Lawrence College in Kent. He became the head of science there before moving to Roedean.

Following a 1st class degree in Music at the University of York, Dr Passmore completed a Master’s degree and a Doctorate in Music at York. Currently teaching music and chorus at Marymount International School in Rome, Dr Passmore has also worked at Queen Anne’s School, Caversham and at St Mary’s, Shaftesbury. His specialism is historical performance on keyboard instruments, having performed as an accompanist and soloist with professional ensembles such as the Royal Northern Sinfonia. stonarschool.com

SPORTING PROWESS

Downside School has had two pupils recognised for their sports achievements. A fifth form sports scholar from Downside School, who is also a Somerset Pathway player, has won Somerset CCC’s writing competition, held to celebrate the return of Test Cricket on free to air TV (Channel 4), in conjunction with Somerset County Sports. Pathway players had to watch the recent cricket and describe how the most successful batters had played during this Test. Alongside this, Lower Sixth Form Sport Scholar Abdul-Khalik Akenzua Al-Kareem has been confirmed as an England Academy Player with Bath U18 rugby academy, a real achievement given all the disruption to school sport over the last 12 months. downside.co.uk