Business and Other Briefings
BIS: A new review and a call for evidence to identify & address barriers to investment created by consents for development, other than planning permission, has been announced by Business Minister, Ian Lucas.
The independent review, which will look at consents for development made alongside or after planning permission for all sizes of projects, will be headed up by Adrian Penfold, and is part of the Government’s wider programme to improve the planning system and development process. It is intended that it will report as part of the Budget in 2010, making recommendations on areas such as improving co-operation between agencies, removing bottlenecks in the process and improving the experience for the investor.
The call for evidence is aimed at all those with an interest in improving the operation of consents. It offers the opportunity for all with an interest in this area to air their views. The responses will provide evidence to enable the review team to gain a full & representative understanding of the consents environment, highlight key issues and to develop its overall analysis.
Defra: The new Automatic Licence Verification System (ALVS) which will reduce customs clearance times & paperwork for all companies who import flowers, plants, fruit & vegetables into England & Wales from outside the EU, will be launched on Tuesday 16 February 2010, Defra & HMRC have announced. Final briefing sessions will take place at the Premier Inn Heathrow, Hounslow, Middlesex on Wednesday 6 January 2010 and Wednesday 10 February 2010.
Customs clearance times will now be reduced from 2 hours down to approximately 10 minutes as ALVS will electronically link HMRC’s ‘CHIEF’ and RPA & FERA’s ‘PEACH’ systems. The introduction of ALVS also means that companies will no longer need to fax Conformity and Quarantine Release Certificates to HMRC’s National Clearance Hub for physical checks.
This brief explains how the Enterprise Investment Scheme rules apply where a company is carrying on the relevant trade, preparatory work or research and development in partnership.
