March 2013 - Business Opportunities with Lister Haigh

14 March 2013

RESIDENTIAL ESTATE AGENCY / RESIDENTIAL LETTINGS AGENCY

As a result of our commitment to improve and expand our residential sales and lettings department we are looking to create a number of partnerships/franchises.

The essential assets that a partner/franchisee will bring to Lister Haigh will be enthusiasm, innovation, commitment, and an overwhelming desire to be successful in an increasingly competitive business environment.

Local Area Agents/Franchisees:

Using our Lister Haigh brand and operating with low overheads Local Area Agents will be able to build their own client base whilst working in close association with a Lister Haigh branch.

Business Partners/Franchisees:

We would like to talk to existing or new businesses with a view to expanding or opening new sales and lettings branches. We would make our unique branding and expertise available to the partnership/franchise.

If either of the above opportunities are of interest to you please contact John Haigh by email johnhaigh@listerhaigh.co.uk or telephone 01423 860322

 

February 2013 - Update on CAP Reform Proposals

13 February 2013

 

The EU heads of government finally reached a deal for budgeted spending in 2014-2020 on 8^th February 2013. The subsequent release of the Conclusions document revealed points that have been agreed about the detail of the CAP during this period as well as the overall spending totals.

Spending

Total CAP spending will fall by about 9.5% over the period in real terms.

- Of this, Pillar 1 funding  (Single Payment) drops from €41.6bn to €37.6 bn, a 9.5% cut, however, due to the realignment of payments per hectare between member states, the € figure for the UK remains roughly the same. The division between the four territories (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) is for discussion internally but the exchange rate is the major determining factor.

- Pillar 2 (Rural Development - mainly Environmental Stewardship) drops from €14.3bn to just under €13bn, again a 9.5% cut. The division between member states has not been agreed as yet but it seems unlikely that the UK will get an increased share.

- Capping is now to be voluntary for member states and therefore it will be a decision for the UK. It is not yet clear whether that will be decided at UK level or by the four territories which could be complicated for cross-border claimants if each took different decisions.

Greening

This is confirmed as a policy heading but refers to "avoiding any unnecessary administrative burdens".

- Member states are to use 30% of their Pillar 1 money for this but it might not be as a standard payment per hectare.

- There will be "a clearly defined flexibility for the Member States relating to the choice of equivalent greening measures". This implies that each member state can set its own measures but this is likely to be within a common framework.

- It is confirmed that rules for Ecological Focus Areas (EFA's) need not require land to be taken out of production and are to avoid "unjustified losses" in farmers' incomes.

Modulation

Whilst there is no modulation as it currently exists (19% of payments above €5,000) member states can transfer up to 15% of the money either way between Pillars 1 and 2. However, where money moves from Pillar 1 to Pillar 2 it must be 100% co-financed by the member state.

The European Parliament is yet to vote on these proposals and this might not take place until May. If the proposals are not agreed then the new 1^st January 2015 date for the start of the new direct payment scheme may be in danger of slipping again.

January 2013 - HS2 Phase 2

28 January 2013

The Department for Transport has announced the preferred route for Phase 2 of the HS2 project, which links Birmingham with Leeds and Manchester. More detailed information is available on the Government website at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/high-speed-rail-investing-in-britains-future-phase-two-the-route-to-leeds-manchester-and-beyond.

Detailed maps can be found on the Government website by following the link above. The proposed route will be subject to a public consultation later in 2013.

Lister Haigh have extensive experience in acting for clients in claiming compensation due to the proximity of their property to Public Works.

For further information

For more information please click more information. or if you own a property near to the preferred route and are concerned that the latest route may impact your property, then for professional advice please contact our Knaresborough Office on 01423 860322