Growing your Food & Drink Business

Thursday 4 May 2017: 9am – 1pm followed by lunch and tour of Montgomery Cheddar

North Cadbury Court, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 7DR (just off the A303)

Price: £30 inc VAT CLA members (additional family members FOC); non-member £50; Students & YFC members £5
Non-members who join on the day will have their event fee refunded

Supported by: Browne Jacobson

The agri-food sector, from farm to consumer, plays a significant part in the UK economy, contributing £109bn in 2014 and supporting over  four million jobs  - 13.5% of the total number of people employed nationally, many of which are based in rural locations.

This event will provide practical and professional advice about starting up a project, adding value and growing it into a successful enterprise within the industry. Speakers will examine the issues pertinent to those wishing to start up including funding, negotiating complex legal regulations and marketing products effectively.

We will also be hearing from CLA members at the forefront of the industry who have developed their products, and encouraged substantial business growth through challenging times often through exporting. This will tie in with the CLA’s position on Brexit and the Governments future policy for the industry.

Following the seminar our host Jamie Montgomery will take a group on a tour of Montgomery Cheddar.

Speakers will include:

•         Dr Charles Trotman, CLA Rural Business and Economics Adviser
•         John Sheaves, Chief Executive, Taste of the West
•         Francesca Johnson, Redevelop
•         Browne Jacobson
•         Andy Fussel, Fussel’s Fine Foods
•         Simon Bryon-Edmond,  MD Chunk of Devon
•         Catherine Mead, Lynher Dairies and Cornish Yarg
•         Duncan Sinclair, Agriculture Manager, Waitrose

This seminar will examine:

•         Legalities
•         Marketing
•         Funding
•         Business Growth
•         Exporting
•         Brexit – What it means for the Food and Drink industry
•         Case Studies

Artisan Provender www.artisanprovender.com will be exhibiting

Click here to book

Planning, Development & Housing

Tuesday 21 March 2017: 10am – 3pm

Muddifords Court, Willand, Cullompton EX15 2QG

Price: £40 inc VAT CLA members (additional family members FOC); non-member s £60; Students & YFC members £5

Non-members who join on the day will have their event fee refunded

Supported by: Charles Russell Speechleys, Bruton Knowles and Albert Goodman

Owners of land with development potential know only too well that getting land developed for housing is a complex business. There are many stages in what can be a very long term process requiring input from professionals on planning, design, legal, financial and other aspects.

Getting planners and the local community onside is key. Good design and communications strategy are important but there are also other issues such as the legalities of option agreements and getting the right balance of affordable units in the development without compromising its viability.

The CLA successfully lobbies on rural planning and housing policy.  As well as influencing the current NPPF, the CLA also published in 2013 ‘Tackling the Housing Crisis in England’ which set out the CLA’s vision for securing and increasing housing supply in England.  This report identified the lack of ability to bring land forward for development as a key factor behind long-term housing undersupply in rural areas. However, there is an increasing need to create developments where the needs of people and the community are incorporated into the design. These principles are central to the recent Prince’s Foundation for Building Community “Landowner’s Guide to Good Development”.

As well as covering the various stages in bringing forward development schemes, this seminar will cover good community design and consultation principles, explore ways of financing affordable housing and provide an opportunity to hear from CLA members who are ‘bucking the trend’ with their own housing projects. Context will be provided through an update on existing housing policy, forthcoming legislation and an overview of what lobbying CLA is doing to help landowners bring rural land forward for much needed housing development.

Speakers will include:

•             The Princes Trust Foundation for Building Community

•             Vic O’Brien, Halo Housing

•             Simon Conibear, Estate Director, Duchy of Cornwall, Poundbury

•             Matthew O’Connell, CLA National Housing Adviser

•             Helen Hutton & Geoffrey Jordan, Charles Russell Speechleys

•             Dominic Crilly, Partner, Albert Goodman

•             Scott Winnard, Bruton Knowles

•             Sir Henry Elwes KCVO JP

•             Mark Heywood FRICS MRIN

•             Charles Hignett, CLA Somerset past Chairman

The seminar will cover:

•             Housing Policy context and update

•             Relevant Planning Issues

•             The Mechanics of Development

•             Option & promotion agreements

•             Tax considerations

•             Financing rented affordable rural housing

•             Good design and community consultation

•             Setting up structures for public realm management

•             Case studies

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Camping, Glamping, Caravan Sites & Tourism

Tuesday 14 March 2017: 9.30am – 1pm

Lackham Agricultural College, Lacock, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 2NY

Price: £30 inc VAT CLA members (additional family members FOC); non-members £50; Students & YFC members £5

Non-members who join on the day will have their event fee refunded

Supported by:  Carter Jonas and Clarke Willmott

Tourism is an important industry for creating economic growth in rural areas.  Being home to two UNESCO World heritage sites and many other tourism sites of national importance, Wiltshire has grown in recent years as a popular tourist destination.  However, supply has not kept up with demand and there is a significant shortage of rural tourism accommodation.  This event will provide practical and professional advice about creating and managing camping, Glamping and caravan sites as well as providing bed and breakfast accommodation.  Whether you are thinking of starting a business or looking to expand, our speakers can offer expert advice and experience of doing just that.   

Speakers will include:

·         Alistair Handyside; CLA member, CLA Devon Committee & CLA tourism advocate for the South West

·         Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service Rural Safety Team

·         Damien Field, The Caravan & Camping Club

·         Visit Wiltshire

·         Clarke Willmott

·         Carter Jonas

The seminar will cover:

• ·         How to pitch your offer – marketing and social media
• ·         Planning consents and camping and caravan licenses
• ·         Adding value to the experience – money making trends
• ·         Pricing, pets and public liability
• ·         Rating, responsibilities, rules and regulations
• ·         Capital Grants and growth money available

Yurts for Life and The Classic Pod Company will be exhibiting.

Click here to book

Rural Tax: Know the ABC

Tuesday 7 March 2017: 4pm – 7pm

The Alverton Hotel, Tregolls Road, Truro, Cornwall TR1 1ZQ

Price: £30 inc VAT CLA members (additional family members FOC); non-members £40; Students & YFC members £5

Non-members who join on the day will have their event fee refunded

Supported by: Clarke Willmott & Francis Clark

Although taxation is a necessary evil there are things you can do to minimise your tax bill. We have an excellent line up of speakers who are experts in their field and will do their best to sweeten the taxation pill for you. How is agriculture viewed by HMRC? What are the tax pros and cons of different business structures? What are capital allowances and how can they help my business? What are the key considerations and reliefs available when passing assets on to the next generation? How do you minimise capital gains tax on development land and VAT on construction work? What is the general tax outlook and how does CLA influence it? If you want to make the right tax decisions and avoid expensive mistakes, this is the seminar for you.

Agenda:
4.00 Registration & Coffee
4.30 Tax Policy Outlook, Louise Speke, CLA Chief Taxation Adviser
General comments on Tax Policy ‘direction of travel’ looking forward; CLA’s role in influencing policy and advising members on tax issues
4.50   A is for ‘Agriculture’ Louise Speke, CLA Chief Taxation Adviser
Explanation of the definition of agriculture for tax purposes and the general tax treatment of agricultural businesses by HMRC
5.00 B is for ‘Business’, Francis Clark
A review of the tax considerations of different Business structures (Sole Trader, Partnership, Ltd Company, Contract Farming, Share Farming)
5.30 Q & A
5.40 Comfort break
5.50 C is for ‘Continuity’, Stuart Thorne, Partner Clarke Willmott Solicitors
Inheritance Tax Planning, Agricultural & Business Property Reliefs, HMRC treatment of ‘Farmhouses’ and of ‘trading’ vs. ‘investment’ activities, relevance of key cases such as the ‘Balfour’ case. Wills, Trusts and Power of Attorney
6.30  D is for ‘Diversification & Development’ Francis Clark
Use of Capital Allowances; Capital Gains Tax & Development land  including options over land
Louise Speke, CLA Chief Taxation Adviser – Stamp Duty Land Tax on buying farms – the future of the ‘mixed use’ category. VAT & construction work – the impact of certain planning conditions.
7.00   Q & A - Tea & Depart

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Rural Tax: Know the ABC

Thursday 23 February 2017: 4pm – 7pm

Junction 24 Ltd, Sedgemoor Auction Centre, Market Way, North Petherton, Somerset TA6 6DF
Price: £30 inc VAT CLA members (additional family members FOC); non-members £40; Students & YFC members £5

Non-members who join on the day will have their event fee refunded

Supported by: Porter Dodson & Francis Clark

Although taxation is a necessary evil there are things you can do to minimise your tax bill. We have an excellent line up of speakers who are experts in their field and will do their best to sweeten the taxation pill for you. How is agriculture viewed by HMRC? What are the tax pros and cons of different business structures? What are capital allowances and how can they help my business? What are the key considerations and reliefs available when passing assets on to the next generation? How do you minimise capital gains tax on development land and VAT on construction work? What is the general tax outlook and how does CLA influence it? If you want to make the right tax decisions and avoid expensive mistakes, this is the seminar for you.

Agenda:
4.00 Registration & Coffee
4.30 Tax Policy Outlook, Louise Speke, CLA Chief Taxation Adviser
General comments on Tax Policy ‘direction of travel’ looking forward; CLA’s role in influencing policy and advising members on tax issues
4.50   A is for ‘Agriculture,’ Louise Speke, CLA Chief Taxation Adviser
Explanation of the definition of agriculture for tax purposes and the general tax treatment of agricultural businesses by HMRC
5.00 B is for ‘Business’, Francis Clark
A review of the tax considerations of different Business structures (Sole Trader, Partnership, Ltd Company, Contract Farming, Share Farming)
5.30 Q & A
5.40 Comfort Break
5.50 C is for ‘Continuity’, Kate James, Partner, Cathryn Smith, Associate, Porter Dodson Solicitors
Inheritance Tax Planning, Agricultural & Business Property Reliefs, HMRC treatment of ‘Farmhouses’ and of ‘trading’ vs. ‘investment’ activities, relevance of key cases such as the ‘Balfour’ case. Wills, Trusts and Power of Attorney
Tax Planning for Succession; Overcoming Family Breakdown
6.30 D is for ‘Diversification & Development’ Francis Clark
Use of Capital Allowances; Capital Gains Tax & Development land  including options over land
Louise Speke, CLA Chief Taxation Adviser – Stamp Duty Land Tax on buying farms – the future of the ‘mixed use’ category. VAT & construction work – the impact of certain planning conditions.
7.00   Q & A - Tea & Depart

Click here to book