Thursday 27 May 2010

RAP & Cenergy

If understanding your energy spend and reducing your costs is important to your business an energy audit, smart meter and energy management plan will address this and also reduce your carbon footprint.

The first problem is beginning to understand the ‘Green’ way of life being introduced to businesses with higher users even having to address regulatory CRC (Carbon Reduction Commitment) – a mandatory energy efficiency scheme for organisations with an electricity usage of 6,000MWh and above through half hourly meters.

For smaller SME’s who would appreciate reduced business expenditure the frightening thing is who is going to take on the role?

With everyone seeming to be working harder in a recovering economic climate businesses have little resource or time to spend researching and understanding the opportunities that are available in this emerging field.
A partnership between RAP Interiors, the South East’s known refurbishment contractor and Cenergy, a highly specialised energy consultancy is bringing light to the end of the tunnel for small and large energy users alike.

Whether considering a refurbishment or not (- the ideal time to build in low energy systems) of your business interior , RAP & Cenergy are providing advice and solutions in a language that helps business owners understand and address the whole energy picture.

A high standard of energy efficiency reflects well on an organisation as it is a good indication of high management standards and corporate and social responsibility.

Energy and cost efficiency of any building or development is a result of the careful integrated design of fabric, air tightness, and building services installations such as; controls, lighting, heating, hot water generation ventilation, air conditioning and renewable energy provision.


Julie Anderson, Director of RAP along with Stuart Howe of Cenergy are committed to saving their customers money, by highlighting true opportunities, explaining government incentive schemes and assisting to implement the improvements.

Stuart comments that from small changes to large corporate energy reduction solutions they are saving money for all their clients, some of whom were at first were unsure how to undertake the process. “From the initial conception of an actual development site we conduct feasibility studies and advise clients on air source heat systems, boiler installations, Solar and Solar PV, to wind turbine installations”. Evidence of a highly energy efficient new development will be seen on the KCC Springfield Library development, due for completion next year, where Cenergy has been working as the building services and sustainability consultant for Warings the sites developer.

From RAP’s point of view their office and educational refurbishment services, can benefit their clients by integrating energy efficient systems into their schemes which will reduce their carbon footprint, ‘even a low energy lighting system can make the world of difference’. Proof is in the pudding by the reports coming from smart meter installations which show substantial energy reductions. “From there we work with clients to implement the changes and install the chosen energy savings ideas. Installation of a Smart Meter is the best place to start, as understanding your energy use is the first stage” comments Julie from RAP.

There is a big need for our bills in business to be reduced and continuously hunting around for the best tariff provider is a thankless task. A permanent cut in spending is a more effective route for businesses and we understand all of the latest incentives and speak in a language business owners understand.

“We’re definitely not from planet Zorg “says Julie & Stuart!

Contact RAP and Cenergy on 0333 6001234 / for a FREE consultation and a plan to make a difference in your business and save money, speak to Julie or Stuart.

Ideas include

• Low Energy Refurbishments
• Energy Management/ Plans/Audits/Certification
• Low & Zero Carbon Design:
• Sustainability
• Renewable Energy
• Smart Meters
• Low Energy Lighting and Building Systems.

Tuesday 25 May 2010

Kent 2020




RAP recently exhibited at the Kent2020 show in Maidstone, Kent

Photos from the event were recently published online at the Kent 2020 Website

Here are some high quality pics of our custom in house designed and construted Exhibition Stand.

Monday 24 May 2010

New space search facility


RAP now offer a service to find space for you.

Fill out our new enquiry form on our website to try our new service.

Thursday 20 May 2010

What can be expected in the new budget and how can we plan for change?

What can be expected in the new budget and how can we plan for change?

George Osborne has confirmed that the much anticipated emergency Budget will be on Tuesday 22 June 2010 and is expected at the later time of 3.30 p.m.. The manifestos of both the Conservatives and Liberal parties gave us a flavour of what is likely to happen but recent comments lead us to believe that the tax changes are going to be far more significant than initially anticipated.

It’s probable (but not guaranteed) that the earliest date on which any of these changes will take effect will be on Budget day itself so this article also considers what planning steps you might take now if you consider you may be affected by the changes.

KEY THINGS TO DO NOW BEFORE BUDGET DAY

With the possible VAT increase consider buying significant items now if you are not registered for VAT.

For VAT registered businesses it still might be prudent to bring forward existing capital expenditure plans to before the budget in the event that capital allowances are cut.

Ongoing investment property sales should be brought forward to before budget day just in case landlords are caught.

If you are sitting on fat gains on non business assets consider disposal or transfer into a trust.

Value Added Tax (VAT)

Speculation is growing that an increase in the VAT rate from 17.5% to 20% is on the cards perhaps as early as Budget day, although this has to date been denied by the new Prime Minister.

Leading think-tank, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), has already suggested that VAT may the most viable choice of tax increase.

A rise in VAT to 20 per cent would generate an extra £11.5 billion of government income but would add an average of £425 to each household bill, a new report by Kelkoo, the shopping comparison website, has calculated.

In real terms the hike would push up the price of everyday goods by 2.1 per cent.

VAT planning tip

Take advantage of the current 17.5% rate by accelerating your spend (on major items) ahead of Budget day.

Corporation tax

The coalition has yet to make specific references to the future of corporation tax although Liberal Democrat MP, Vince Cable, is known to favour the introduction of a general anti-avoidance provision for Corporation Tax.

The Conservatives previously announced their intention to reduce the headline rate of Corporation tax from 28% to 25% with the smaller company rate reduced to 20%. At the same time to, in order to finance this, they also previously announced that they would scrap/reduce a number of allowances for the purchase of capital equipment. There have been no further announcements in this area but it may still be an issue.

Corporation tax planning tip

Consider advancing capital expenditure and significant employer pension scheme payments.

Business

The government is to focus on improving the flow of credit to smaller firms. This will include the possibility of establishing a loan guarantee scheme to replace the Enterprise Finance Guarantee programme and the use of net lending targets for nationalised banks.

Some backdated demands for business rates will be cancelled.

Income tax

The new top rate of Income Tax of 50% is already a reality for some and this will not be abolished any time soon.

The new Government has agreed to an increase in the minimum threshold for income tax, with the personal allowance expected to increase in stages from its current level of £6,475 to £10,000 by 2015. The first increase is anticipated in April 2011 although it is unlikely that anyone earning over £40,000 p.a. will be able to benefit from this and subsequent increases.

Another Conservative manifesto commitment to introduce transferable tax allowances for married couples stays in place.

Some Income Tax planning tips

Maximise use of your spouse’s tax bands; consider paying your 2010/11 pension contributions eligible for top rate relief now; consider tax incentivised investments such as VCTs.

National Insurance Contributions (NIC)

A partial reduction in the further NIC increase promised for April 2011 is anticipated with the main

beneficiaries being employers. In contrast, employees and the self employed are still expected to face an increase of 1% in their National Insurance Contributions.

NIC planning tip

Dividends are still NIC free for family businesses.

Stamp Duty

The Conservative manifesto has pledged to scrap stamp duty for first time buyers on homes up to the value of £250,000. Currently this exemption is set to expire on 24 March 2012.

Tax credits

The coalition has agreed that steps will be taken to reduce the availability of Child Trust funds and tax credits for higher earners.

Capital Gains Tax (CGT)

Capital Gains Tax is predicted to see a large increase from the current rate of 18% for non-business capital gains (such as those realised on the sale of shares and second homes).

The expectation is that CGT will once again be linked to an individual’s marginal income tax rate with a new maximum CGT rate of 40% (compared with a top income tax rate of 50%).

There is speculation that some measure of indexation might be reintroduced to avoid CGT being levied on purely inflationary gains.

We are promised generous exemptions for entrepreneurial business activities which might be enough to protect the current lower rate of 10% applied to such gains at present although these reliefs may be amended.

As yet what is termed an “entrepreneurial business” is unclear. The National Landlords Association (NLA) is clear in stating that sales of residential property should be included in the exemptions to avoid a significant disincentive for landlords. However at present this remains unclear.

It is also possible that the annual CGT exemption (£10,100 per individual for this year) will be reduced to perhaps as low as £2,000 only.

Some CGT planning tips

Consider accelerating disposal of assets ahead of Budget day (perhaps by transfer into a trust); invest in EIS and VCT investments; hold shares in an ISA; sell assets into a SIPP; maximise use of your spouse to utilize lower tax bands and exemptions.

Inheritance Tax (IHT)

The coalition agreement confirms that income tax cuts will be given priority over IHT cuts. This means that the Conservative’s plans to increase the IHT nil rate band to £1million have been shelved for the duration of this Parliament.

Some IHT planning tips

Are you comfortable that your will is tax-efficient?

The most effective IHT planning is always started early; maximise your gifts out of income; consider life insurance to cover IHT liability; make use of annual exemptions; consider discounted gift scheme.

Welcome

This is the blog for RAP Interiors
http://www.rapofficecontracts.com/

Here you will find relevant news about office refurbishments, fit outs, business and various other related subjects.