The Musicians’ Answering Service

Service Newsletter June 1996

For Fixers & Orchestral Managers

 

173 High Street Dorking Surrey RH4 1AD

Diary Service: 01306 880669 Accounts: 01306 880404

Fax: 01306 888041

 

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The Service That Does As It’s Told

 

MAS Staffing

 

It is with regret that we have had to say goodbye to Karen who after two years of stalwart service with us left at the end of May to join the Performing Rights Society as Music Service Assistant. Instead of her looking after our clients diaries here she will be helping to look after their residual payments.

 

However the good news is that we are able to welcome Celia to the team who is replacing Karen and started at the beginning of this month. Celia is a multi-talented musician encompassing the violin, viola, saxophone and piano. She gained a WA. honours combined studies in Music, Law, and Business Administration. You may not have spoken to her yet but I am sure you will be delighted when you do.

 

To recap: Staff coverage and minus are as follows:

 

Mon - Fri          8 am - Midnight 3 Operators on at any given time

Sat & Sun          8 am - Midnight 2 Operators on at any given time

 

Current staffing is as follows:-

 

                                                Isobel - Manager

                                                Alison               Helen

                                                Ann                  Louise

                                                Celia                Madeleine

                                                Danielle            Rachel

                                                Gill

 

 

 

 

 

CV Listing

 

We are pleased to enclose with this newsletter a New Additions" list to add to the second edition of our C.V. listing you received in March. Our clients' C.V.s are listed in alphabetical order within instrument headings. Please let us know if there is anyway in which you think we can improve this part of our service to you. Full print outs of the C.V. Listing will accompany your September and March newsletters whilst "new additions' lists will accompany the December and June newsletters.

 

 

Messages To Fixers

 

Just a reminder that our "messages to fixers service" i.e. answers to work offers we have had to refer for our clients decision, is still in place. We will, however, still only implement this if we are specifically instructed to do so by our client, or you request them to. If you or the client don't specifically instruct us on each occasion - we will assume you do not want us to do it. This policy is intended to safeguard both clients and fixers and leave you both in control of how the service works for you.

 

 

New Client List

 

We are pleased to include our latest client list for your records. As you can see there is a very impressive increase in the client base. All new clients since our last issue are indicated with a *. Please note that, following a suggestion by some of our clients we are now including mobile phones as well as pagers in the # indicator. It was pointed out that the idea of indicating clients who are pageable was to highlight those who are quickly contactable. It is therefore logical to extended this indication to those clients with mobile phones as well as those with pagers.

 

 

The Service Continues To Grow

A big thank you to you all. It is thanks to you that the service continues to grow. It is a direct result of your recommendations and those of our clients, that musicians are continuing to choose MAS for their diary service which in turn is helping to give a more comprehensive service to you, the fixers, and people searching for deputies etc.

 

 

 

 

 

Mobile News

 

You are all, no doubt, aware of the dynamic discounts and free accessories with Orange that PMC are now offering to clients of MAS and fixers.

 

See the enclosed leaflet for details of their latest projects, services and products. PMC will advise you of the least expensive route to your mobile requirements. Their strict policy is that honesty comes before sales. Contact PMC on Tel No. 01306 740077

 

Bulletin Board

 

Stephen Milne has moved

Nick Thompson has moved

Andrew Bentley has moved

Richard Taylor has moved

From June 26 '96 John Ludlow & Marilyn Taylor will have a new residence

Andy Crowley's has a new home telephone number

 

Steve Levine is leaving the Philharmonia to freelance and is available for work from June 1st.

 

Lori Bannister (Viola)

After a road accident and being unable to play for two years, Lori Bannister has now made a full recovery and is available for work through the diary.

 

 

 

 

 

Financial Tips – Performing Arts Pension Scheme

The Performing Arts Pension Scheme is now in it's third year. There is not a single member of the scheme whose notional fund value is less that the premiums invested. Indeed, all members have notional fund values far greater than the premiums paid. This is because it is a group pension scheme that attracts lower charges. New members joining the scheme before 5th June 1996 will attract an introductory bonus equivalent to a cash injection of at least 3 times the monthly contribution. Further information and personalised quotations can be obtained from Graeme Blair Financial Planning on 01732 743092. Graeme Blair Financial Planning is totally "independent" and regulated by the Personal Investment Authority.

 

Tax Tips – Self Assessment – Further Updates

The self-assessment regime is now almost upon us. The purpose of this article is to highlight the major difference in the new system and the major pitfalls awaiting the unwary taxpayer. The first self-assessment returns, for the year ended 5th April 1997, will be issued in April 1997 and must be returned to the Inland Revenue by 31st January 1998 if the automatic £100 penalty is to be avoided. Unlike existing returns, the self-assessment return includes a calculation of liability which the taxpayer or his agent is expected to complete. It is possible to have the Inland Revenue calculate the liability provided the return is made no later than 30th September following the end of the year assessment. It will be possible to amend the return within one year of submission, provided it was originally sent in on time and that the Inland Revenue has not started an enquiry.

 

Payment of tax

Taxpayers will normally make two payments on account on the 31st January within the tax year and on 31st July after the end of the tax year. As all self-employed taxpayers will now be assessed on a current year basis, a significant number will have to pay estimated amounts on 31st January and 31st July. A final payment will then be made at the time the self-assessment return is sent. The Inland Revenue have stated that they intend issuing a taxpayer with a statement, similar to a credit card statement, showing tax liabilities including interest and penalties, less any payments made, leaving the balance due.

 

Interest and penalties

There is a range of penalties which are intended to encourage compliance. These include interest on all late payments, a fixed surcharge on late payments of tax due with a return, a fixed penalty for late returns and a variable penalty for incorrect returns. Self-assessment was heralded as a government initiative Slicing red tape with the aim of cutting down the burdens placed on small business!

 

For further information call:     

Mike Harding

Harding Whiteman

36 Rose Hill, Sutton, Surrey, SM1 3EU

Tel: 0181 641 0102 Fax: 0181 641 4002