Business Training

We have some FREE places available on the retail Service Training Course starting on 8th May 2002. The Course runs for six weeks and will be held at the Angel Place Shopping Centre between 9.00am and 10.30am (a slightly later start may be possible subject to demand). The Helping the Disabled Customer session is held at Bridgwater Shopmobility.

Course Topics

• Dealing with abusive behaviour and the challenging customer.

• Giving the first impression/body language.

• What is good service?

• Who are your customers/ What is your product?

• Helping the Disabled Customer.

• Listening and Learning Skills.

The training is aimed at any one working in the service sector in Bridgwater. Each course is limited to twelve delegates. Larger businesses can also send staff on this course but there is a modest fee of £60 for the entire six week course, including printed handouts.

Jeanette Sealey is a professional trainer who has delivered previous training to twenty five staff from seventeen businesses in Bridgwater, as well as to staff at Cribbs Causeway and many other retail and service organisations.

For a booking form or further information please contact:

Wendy White 01278 446859 or Fax 01278 452538

...Technology Training...

Project Web is a European Social Fund Project that has been set up to assist local small businesses (250 employees or less) to improve their competitiveness through the development of their employees Information Technology skills. The project has so far provided FREE training for 88 local businesses in various subjects, ranging from basic web design and email use to desktop publishing and word processing. The project has received very positive feedback from the Local Government Office for its achievements so far.

The previous Newsletter included a Survey form about Project Web and how it could help your business. We have received 22 responses to date. If you would like to find out more about this opportunity please contact:

Wendy White 01278 446859 or Fax 01278 452538

---------------------------------

News from Somerset Business Rates Forum

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is an executive agency of the Inland Revenue (IR) with 85 offices. The main functions of the VOA are to:-

• Compile and maintain Business Rating and Council Tax valuation lists for England and Wales.

• Value property in England, Wales and Scotland for the purposes of taxes administered by the Inland Revenue.

• Provide other statutory and non-statutory property valuation services in England and Scotland

• Give policy advice to Ministers on property valuation matters.

The South West Group of the Valuation Office Agency values 1.36 million properties for local taxation ie Council Tax and Business Rates and additionally through the District Valuer provides valuation services for many public sector clients. Working in partnership with 30 local Councils (1,218 precepting Parishes) across Somerset, Dorset, Devon Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, we operate over more than 6,300 square miles of some of England’s most beautiful land and seascapes.

The Agency’s web site at www.voa.gov.uk contains a variety of up to date information about our activities and every entry from both the 1995 and 2000 Valuation Lists is available for you to view. Should you wish to appeal against your rateable value, the circumstances under which you may do so, and how to appeal electronically are on screen.

Access to the Valuation Office Agency’s Operational Practice (guidance) notes are found by entering the web site www.voa.gov.uk under "Publications" then "our operational instructions".  Amongst these are its Rating Manual in five volumes

Volume 1 Maintaining Rating

Volume 2 General Rating Procedures

Volume 3 Rating Case Control Procedures

Volume 4 General Principals of Rating Valuation

Volume 5 Rating Valuation Practice - All classes of herediament (divided into sections numbered 1 - 1,130).

The South West Group holds Investor in People status and was awarded its Charter Mark for service excellence in 1999. The Somerset Area Office that works in partnership with Sedgemoor District Council and four other local authorities, is based in Taunton.

The Valuation Office

Quantock House

Paul Street

TAUNTON

Somerset

TA1 3PB

If anyone has any query about the calculation of the Business Rate charge they should contact Business Rates at Sedgemoor District Council on 01278 435481.

Return to Top