OVER 100 tenants in a Clydebank housing scheme have a chance to escape fuel poverty thanks to a renewable energy project.
Glasgow-based Edison Energy have installed free solar panels on their homes.
And Knowes Housing Association expect that the move will save the tenants, on average, up to £120 a year in electricity bills.
The project provides 105 social housing tenants – most of which are OAP’s – with solar PV energy for their homes for 25 years at no cost.
And the initiative in Faifley comes on the back a similar successful project completed before last Christmas for 117 properties in the same area.
Pierre De Fence, Director of Knowes Housing Association, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Edison Energy to reduce the impact of fuel poverty for our tenants.
“Now we hope we can significantly reduce their fuel bills for the next 25 years.”
Knowes Housing Association is a charitable registered social landlord managed by a committee of local tenants and owner occupiers.
It was formed in 1998 following a large scale voluntary transfer of 1,115 properties in the Faifley and Duntocher area of Clydebank from the former Scottish Homes.
The association currently owns and manages 1,010 properties and acts as factor to a further 200.
Pat Eadie, a tenant for 12 years, has had panels placed on her roof, and she said: “I’m very excited by this and looking forward to seeing my electricity bills cut.”
Kevin McLelland, Commercial Manager of Edison Energy, said: “We believe we are the only company to complete two such projects in Scotland.
“In both projects we’ve taken on young people from the local area, trained them and contributed to the local economy whilst promoting green energy, tackling fuel poverty and carbon emissions.”
Tuesday, 13 March 2012
TIME TO REVIEW YOUR TAX AHEAD OF APRIL 5
“There is no such thing as a good tax...”
Winston Churchill, 1924
Unfortunately, tax isn't optional, you may not have a specific issue at the moment, but a review prior to the end of the tax year could assist in planning for the future, and perhaps even identify some savings you can make now.
Here are some personal tax issues to look at before 5 April 2012 from Carol Wright of Springfords:
• Capital gains tax – the annual CGT exemption allows you to take gains of up to £10,600 tax free (£5,300 for trusts). You can take advice on how to plan to make best use of this, as well as looking at how you might mitigate liabilities on gains in excess of the limit.
• Pension contributions – advise on how to maximise higher rate tax relief could assist, as well as how you can make best use of the opportunity to carry forward relief from earlier years. Act before 5th April 2012 to use relief stretching back to 6 April 2008.
• Tax efficient investments – consider using your annual ISA allowance of £10,680 prior to 5 April, to secure tax free income and growth. (
Corporate investments – Enterprise Investment Scheme and Venture Capital Trust subscriptions can attract 30% income tax relief as well as generous capital gains tax savings. Investments prior to 5 April will reduce this year's tax liability, and you may even want to carry back some relief to the previous year to generate a tax repayment. The rules are labyrinthine.
• Charitable donations – higher rate tax relief can be obtained on Gift Aid donations, offering a philanthropic way to reduce your tax costs. Gifts of certain assets to a charity outwith the Gift Aid scheme can also attract tax relief up to 50%.
• Allowances and lower rate bands – where possible, you should ensure these are fully used by 5 April. If you have your own company or business, for instance, consider alternative methods of extracting income prior to the end of the year.
• 60% tax rate – if your income exceeds £100,000 you will lose personal allowances, and any income between £100,000 and £114,950 will attract an effective tax rate of 60%. Get We advice on what action can be taken by 5 April to help preserve your personal allowances.
In the longer term, look at
• Inheritance tax (IHT) planning –
Wills – it's important to revisit these regularly to ensure they remain tax effective, especially if there have been any changes to your personal circumstances – it's also a good point to consider IHT tax planning.
For those in business, there are additional ways we can help, on an on-going basis:
• Accounting date – altering the year end date for self employed businesses can result in substantial savings.
Capital allowances – get advice on the timing of purchases to secure higher levels of Annual Investment Allowance relief, which reduces from a maximum of £100,000 down to £25,000 after 5 April.
• Losses – losses can maximise tax refunds and impact on future tax liabilities,
Income extraction – views regularly alter on this one, but get a summary of the various methods available and received advice on any current issues that you need to be aware of when deciding how to take income from your company so that action can be taken prior to 5 April if necessary.
Winston Churchill, 1924
Unfortunately, tax isn't optional, you may not have a specific issue at the moment, but a review prior to the end of the tax year could assist in planning for the future, and perhaps even identify some savings you can make now.
Here are some personal tax issues to look at before 5 April 2012 from Carol Wright of Springfords:
• Capital gains tax – the annual CGT exemption allows you to take gains of up to £10,600 tax free (£5,300 for trusts). You can take advice on how to plan to make best use of this, as well as looking at how you might mitigate liabilities on gains in excess of the limit.
• Pension contributions – advise on how to maximise higher rate tax relief could assist, as well as how you can make best use of the opportunity to carry forward relief from earlier years. Act before 5th April 2012 to use relief stretching back to 6 April 2008.
• Tax efficient investments – consider using your annual ISA allowance of £10,680 prior to 5 April, to secure tax free income and growth. (
Corporate investments – Enterprise Investment Scheme and Venture Capital Trust subscriptions can attract 30% income tax relief as well as generous capital gains tax savings. Investments prior to 5 April will reduce this year's tax liability, and you may even want to carry back some relief to the previous year to generate a tax repayment. The rules are labyrinthine.
• Charitable donations – higher rate tax relief can be obtained on Gift Aid donations, offering a philanthropic way to reduce your tax costs. Gifts of certain assets to a charity outwith the Gift Aid scheme can also attract tax relief up to 50%.
• Allowances and lower rate bands – where possible, you should ensure these are fully used by 5 April. If you have your own company or business, for instance, consider alternative methods of extracting income prior to the end of the year.
• 60% tax rate – if your income exceeds £100,000 you will lose personal allowances, and any income between £100,000 and £114,950 will attract an effective tax rate of 60%. Get We advice on what action can be taken by 5 April to help preserve your personal allowances.
In the longer term, look at
• Inheritance tax (IHT) planning –
Wills – it's important to revisit these regularly to ensure they remain tax effective, especially if there have been any changes to your personal circumstances – it's also a good point to consider IHT tax planning.
For those in business, there are additional ways we can help, on an on-going basis:
• Accounting date – altering the year end date for self employed businesses can result in substantial savings.
Capital allowances – get advice on the timing of purchases to secure higher levels of Annual Investment Allowance relief, which reduces from a maximum of £100,000 down to £25,000 after 5 April.
• Losses – losses can maximise tax refunds and impact on future tax liabilities,
Income extraction – views regularly alter on this one, but get a summary of the various methods available and received advice on any current issues that you need to be aware of when deciding how to take income from your company so that action can be taken prior to 5 April if necessary.
WORLD CHAMPION PIEMAN
A BUTCHER from Dumfries and Galloway has been crowned World Scotch Pie champion.
John G Renicks beat off tough competition from north and south of the Border to win the title for the first time.
The family firm from 117 Drumlanrig Street, Thornhill has been a stalwart of the 13-year-old competition.
And the firm have had an anxious wait following the judging in Dunfermline in mid-November before finding out that they have won the big prize.
Iain Renicks helps run the busy shop with his mother Ellen and his brother James.
And the admitted to being shocked to have won the coveted prize after 13 years of trying.
The 44-year-old businessman picked up the wooden pie trophy in Dunfermline and baked 18 pies before selecting four for the judging in November.
But he would not reveal the recipe which has brought him success for the first time after being a runner-up in the first competition.
Mr Renicks dedicated the award to his late father John who started the business 25 years ago.
The part-time local radio presenter and a former chef admitted: “I use Galloway beef in our pies and I added more seasoning this time. I’d worked out that the judges like a little extra spice to the mixture.
“The seasoning was a little stronger than I would normally make for selling in the shop and I selected the best looking four from the batch of 18 to take to the judges.”
Mr Renicks, whose business is a member of the Dumfries and Galloway Savour the Flavour scheme, added: “This win could have a huge impact on a small shop like ours.
“We serve mainly domestic customers in the Nithsdale area and we do have some high-profile private clients.
“We also have a lot of passing trade as we’re on the A76 between Dumfries and Kilmarnock.
“Our job now is to market this win and make sure that people know more about us.
“I do a radio slot every Tuesday from 7pm to 9pm and I’ll be doing a Scotch Pie special if the bosses allow.”
He also believes that the win will have an impact on the village and on his trade.
He currently makes around 12 dozen pies and week but expect to be a lot busier.
“We could be one of the smallest businesses entered and this is the crème-de-la-crème of awards.
“It is judged by men and women who have been in the baking and butchery trade, they know the business.
“Being judged by your peers to be the best is phenomenal and there is a huge among of credibility behind this.”
Second was Edenmill Farm Shop from Blanefield, near Stirling and third was Borders bakers, Alex Dalgetty and Sons from Galashiels.
Gold medals went to J B Houston of Dumfries, Ballard Butchers of Castle Douglas, Goodfellow of Dundee, T and R Skinner of Kippen and MacDonald Brothers of Pitlochry.
Silver medals went to MacDougal and Hastie of Inverness, McCafferty Butchers of Forth, R George (Butcher), Lhanbryde and Stuart’s of Buckhaven, Fife.
Bronze medallists were Browning’s the Bakers of Kilmarnock, The Little Bakery, Dumfries, Murdoch Brothers of Forres, Moray, who were World Champions two years ago, A and I Quality Butchers, Culloden and Nevis Bakers, Fort William.
BRIDIES:
Tom Courts of Cowdenbeath came out top in the bridie category with Davidson of Inverurie the runners-up and Ann Davidson (Butchers) of Scone third.
Gold awards went to Nicholl’s Rosebank Bakery, Dundee, D G Lindsay and Son, Perth and Ballard Butchers, Castle Douglas.
Silver awards were won by Grossett’s of Tayside, Dundee, Crombie’s of Edinburgh, Fisher and Donaldson of Cupar, Thomas Auld and Sons of Greenock and R George Butcher, Lhanbryde.
Bronze awards were won by Bruce of the Broch, Fraserburgh, Boghall Butchers of Bathgate, who are two time winners of the World Scotch Pie Championship, Scott Brothers of Dundee, Brownin’s the Bakers, Kilmarnock and William Stephen (Bakers) of Dunfermline.
SAUSAGE ROLLS:
MacDonald Brothers of Pitlochry won the sausage rolls accolade with Kassey’s Kitchen, Cowdenbeath, second.
Gold awards went to Thomas Auld and Sons, Greenock, William Stephen (Bakers) of Dunfermline, A J Learmonth of Jedburgh and Tom Courts of Cowdenbeath.
Silver awards go to Boghall Butchers of Bathgate, Goodfellow of Dundee, W T S Forsyth of Peebles, J G Ross of Inverurie and Tower Bakery, Perth.
Bronze awards were won by J M Bakery of Carnoustie, Ferguson’s of Airdrie, Ann Davidson of Scone, Davidson of Inverurie, PARS Foods of Glasgow and Scott Brothers of Dundee.
HOT SAVOURY:
MacDonald Brothers of Pitlochry won this section with the runner-up coming first time entrant Greenhalgh’s Craft Bakers from Bolton, Lancashire.
Gold awards go to MacDonald Brothers of Pitlochry, G J Sanderson, Coldstream, Trotters’ Family Baker, Seahouses, Northumberland, Boghall Butchers, Bathgate, T and R Skinner of Kippen near Stirling and Irvine’s of Beith, last year’s winner of the World Scotch Pie Championship.
Silver awards go to Hunter’s of Kinross, Bert Fowlie (Butchers) of Strichen, Reid’s Highland Fare, Invergordon, Davidson of Inverurie, Ballard Butchers of Castle Douglas, Trotter’s Family Bakery, Seahouses, T H Carson of Dalbeattie, Mearns T McCaskie of Wemyss Bay, Browning’s the Bakers of Kilmarnock.
COLD SAVOURY:
The winner of this section was Crombie’s of Edinburgh with English entrant, Trotter’s Family Bakers, Seahouses, the runner-up. A silver award went to Murdoch Brothers of Forres and a bronze to The Little Bakery, Dumfries.
VEGETARIAN SAVOURY:
Nevis Bakery of Forth William won this section with MacLean’s Highland Bakery, Forres, a former World Scotch Pie Champion, second and winners of the gold award. Trotter’s Family Bakers, Seahouses, won the silver award and The Little Bakery, Dumfries the bronze.
STEAK PIES:
The winner of this section was Calder Millerfield of Glasgow. The runner-up was Irvine’s of Beith.
Gold awards went to Kassy’s Kitchen of Cowdenbeath, William Stephen (Bakers) of Dunfermline, The Little Bakery of Castle Douglas and MacDougall and Hastie Butchers of Inverness.
Silver awards went to Ferguson’s of Airdrie, T and R Skinner of Kippen, J M Bakery of Carnoustie, D G Lindsay and Son of Perth and James Chapman (Butchers) of Wishaw.
Bronze awards went to Kelly of Cults, near Aberdeen, Browning’s the Baker of Kilmarnock, A J Learmonth of Jedburgh, Stuart’s of Buckhaven and Scott Brothers of Dundee.
FISH PIES:
Boghal Butchers of Bathgate won the section with a medley of seafood pie. The gold award went to Bruce of the Broch, Fraserburgh, with their smoked haddock pie, the silver to Nevis Bakery of Fort William with a cheesy haddock pie and the bronze award to Thomas Auld and Sons of Greenock with a tune bake.
BEST OVERALL SAVOURY PRODUCT and winners of the MacLean Cup were Boghall Butchers of Bathgate with their medley of seafood pie.
John G Renicks beat off tough competition from north and south of the Border to win the title for the first time.
The family firm from 117 Drumlanrig Street, Thornhill has been a stalwart of the 13-year-old competition.
And the firm have had an anxious wait following the judging in Dunfermline in mid-November before finding out that they have won the big prize.
Iain Renicks helps run the busy shop with his mother Ellen and his brother James.
And the admitted to being shocked to have won the coveted prize after 13 years of trying.
The 44-year-old businessman picked up the wooden pie trophy in Dunfermline and baked 18 pies before selecting four for the judging in November.
But he would not reveal the recipe which has brought him success for the first time after being a runner-up in the first competition.
Mr Renicks dedicated the award to his late father John who started the business 25 years ago.
The part-time local radio presenter and a former chef admitted: “I use Galloway beef in our pies and I added more seasoning this time. I’d worked out that the judges like a little extra spice to the mixture.
“The seasoning was a little stronger than I would normally make for selling in the shop and I selected the best looking four from the batch of 18 to take to the judges.”
Mr Renicks, whose business is a member of the Dumfries and Galloway Savour the Flavour scheme, added: “This win could have a huge impact on a small shop like ours.
“We serve mainly domestic customers in the Nithsdale area and we do have some high-profile private clients.
“We also have a lot of passing trade as we’re on the A76 between Dumfries and Kilmarnock.
“Our job now is to market this win and make sure that people know more about us.
“I do a radio slot every Tuesday from 7pm to 9pm and I’ll be doing a Scotch Pie special if the bosses allow.”
He also believes that the win will have an impact on the village and on his trade.
He currently makes around 12 dozen pies and week but expect to be a lot busier.
“We could be one of the smallest businesses entered and this is the crème-de-la-crème of awards.
“It is judged by men and women who have been in the baking and butchery trade, they know the business.
“Being judged by your peers to be the best is phenomenal and there is a huge among of credibility behind this.”
Second was Edenmill Farm Shop from Blanefield, near Stirling and third was Borders bakers, Alex Dalgetty and Sons from Galashiels.
Gold medals went to J B Houston of Dumfries, Ballard Butchers of Castle Douglas, Goodfellow of Dundee, T and R Skinner of Kippen and MacDonald Brothers of Pitlochry.
Silver medals went to MacDougal and Hastie of Inverness, McCafferty Butchers of Forth, R George (Butcher), Lhanbryde and Stuart’s of Buckhaven, Fife.
Bronze medallists were Browning’s the Bakers of Kilmarnock, The Little Bakery, Dumfries, Murdoch Brothers of Forres, Moray, who were World Champions two years ago, A and I Quality Butchers, Culloden and Nevis Bakers, Fort William.
BRIDIES:
Tom Courts of Cowdenbeath came out top in the bridie category with Davidson of Inverurie the runners-up and Ann Davidson (Butchers) of Scone third.
Gold awards went to Nicholl’s Rosebank Bakery, Dundee, D G Lindsay and Son, Perth and Ballard Butchers, Castle Douglas.
Silver awards were won by Grossett’s of Tayside, Dundee, Crombie’s of Edinburgh, Fisher and Donaldson of Cupar, Thomas Auld and Sons of Greenock and R George Butcher, Lhanbryde.
Bronze awards were won by Bruce of the Broch, Fraserburgh, Boghall Butchers of Bathgate, who are two time winners of the World Scotch Pie Championship, Scott Brothers of Dundee, Brownin’s the Bakers, Kilmarnock and William Stephen (Bakers) of Dunfermline.
SAUSAGE ROLLS:
MacDonald Brothers of Pitlochry won the sausage rolls accolade with Kassey’s Kitchen, Cowdenbeath, second.
Gold awards went to Thomas Auld and Sons, Greenock, William Stephen (Bakers) of Dunfermline, A J Learmonth of Jedburgh and Tom Courts of Cowdenbeath.
Silver awards go to Boghall Butchers of Bathgate, Goodfellow of Dundee, W T S Forsyth of Peebles, J G Ross of Inverurie and Tower Bakery, Perth.
Bronze awards were won by J M Bakery of Carnoustie, Ferguson’s of Airdrie, Ann Davidson of Scone, Davidson of Inverurie, PARS Foods of Glasgow and Scott Brothers of Dundee.
HOT SAVOURY:
MacDonald Brothers of Pitlochry won this section with the runner-up coming first time entrant Greenhalgh’s Craft Bakers from Bolton, Lancashire.
Gold awards go to MacDonald Brothers of Pitlochry, G J Sanderson, Coldstream, Trotters’ Family Baker, Seahouses, Northumberland, Boghall Butchers, Bathgate, T and R Skinner of Kippen near Stirling and Irvine’s of Beith, last year’s winner of the World Scotch Pie Championship.
Silver awards go to Hunter’s of Kinross, Bert Fowlie (Butchers) of Strichen, Reid’s Highland Fare, Invergordon, Davidson of Inverurie, Ballard Butchers of Castle Douglas, Trotter’s Family Bakery, Seahouses, T H Carson of Dalbeattie, Mearns T McCaskie of Wemyss Bay, Browning’s the Bakers of Kilmarnock.
COLD SAVOURY:
The winner of this section was Crombie’s of Edinburgh with English entrant, Trotter’s Family Bakers, Seahouses, the runner-up. A silver award went to Murdoch Brothers of Forres and a bronze to The Little Bakery, Dumfries.
VEGETARIAN SAVOURY:
Nevis Bakery of Forth William won this section with MacLean’s Highland Bakery, Forres, a former World Scotch Pie Champion, second and winners of the gold award. Trotter’s Family Bakers, Seahouses, won the silver award and The Little Bakery, Dumfries the bronze.
STEAK PIES:
The winner of this section was Calder Millerfield of Glasgow. The runner-up was Irvine’s of Beith.
Gold awards went to Kassy’s Kitchen of Cowdenbeath, William Stephen (Bakers) of Dunfermline, The Little Bakery of Castle Douglas and MacDougall and Hastie Butchers of Inverness.
Silver awards went to Ferguson’s of Airdrie, T and R Skinner of Kippen, J M Bakery of Carnoustie, D G Lindsay and Son of Perth and James Chapman (Butchers) of Wishaw.
Bronze awards went to Kelly of Cults, near Aberdeen, Browning’s the Baker of Kilmarnock, A J Learmonth of Jedburgh, Stuart’s of Buckhaven and Scott Brothers of Dundee.
FISH PIES:
Boghal Butchers of Bathgate won the section with a medley of seafood pie. The gold award went to Bruce of the Broch, Fraserburgh, with their smoked haddock pie, the silver to Nevis Bakery of Fort William with a cheesy haddock pie and the bronze award to Thomas Auld and Sons of Greenock with a tune bake.
BEST OVERALL SAVOURY PRODUCT and winners of the MacLean Cup were Boghall Butchers of Bathgate with their medley of seafood pie.
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