The Musicians’ Answering Service

Service Newsletter October 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

We are sorry to say goodbye to Danielle who, after two and a half years of support to us and our clients has decided to widen her portfolio by studying some new skills. Unfortunately Rachel, who returned to us part-time after starting her family, has found the commitment too demanding coupled with the travelling from Twickenham, so sadly we are to see her go too. We are currently interviewing for two more full-time members to replace Danielle and Rachel which will give Isobel a little more breathing space to carry out her managerial duties.

 

To recap: Staff coverage and names 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

                                                Gill

 

 

New MAS Dedicated Fax Line

 

More and more Clients are updating their diaries by fax and fixers are booking in the same way. To support this trend we have installed a fax machine dedicated to MAS. The new number is 01306-888041. Please change your pre-programmed buttons etc to accommodate this new number as faxes arriving on this machine are directly accessed by the diary staff. Please help us to help you.

 

 

 

 

 

CV Listing

 

We are pleased to enclose with this newsletter the third edition of our "Full CV Listing". The 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. You will in future receive full print-outs of the C.V. Listing to accompany your September and March newsletters whilst "new additions" lists will accompany the December and June newsletters.

 

New Telephone System

 

After some eight years of hard labour our original telephone system has finally bitten the dust. We have now invested in a new all-singing all-dancing digital system that should have noticeably better speech paths and many improved facilities. This should help to keep you in touch even more efficiently than ever. Amongst the new features are digital headsets for the staff that, if nothing else, will stop them getting a crick in the neck and leave both their hands free to take bookings.

 

Please Come And Visit

 

Don't be shy - come and say hello. It is great for us to meet in person the fixers we usually only talk to on the phone. Dorking may seem the other end of the universe but is it only 44 minutes away from Waterloo or Victoria or about the same in the car from central London. If we know you are coming we will do you proud with wine and food in abundance.

 

Please contact me on 01306 880669 to arrange the date. You will not be disappointed I assure you. We really enjoy meeting the faces behind the voices.

 

 

 

 

 

Mobile News

 

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

JIVE NIGHT IN AID OF CLARENCE ADOO

 

Friday December 6th 6.30 - 8.00 pm Jive Lesson

9.00 - 11.00 pm "Jack King & The Aces"

At the Tennis Club opposite the BBC Delaware Road

Official Address:

Paddington Sports Club, Castellain Road, Maida Vale

London, \V9 1HG. 0171-286-8448 or 0171-286-4515

Entrance £5.00 - Tickets at the door

For Further information Ring Damaris Wollen 0181-840-6139

 

 

 

Lisa Evans has moved

Steve Levine has a new Telephone Number

Sarah Newbold has moved

 

 

Reminder

 

Please don't hesitate to contact us if there is anything you required to be listed on our Bulletin Board. It could be such things as instruments for sale, change of telephone number, lost instruments or any other information that you may feel would be of interest or useful to our members or to other fixers.

 

 

 

 

 

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. Further information and personalised quotations can he obtained from Graeme Blair Financial Planning on 01732 743092. Graente 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 he issued in April 1997 and must he returned to the Inland Revenue by 31st January 1998 if the automatic £IOD penalty is to he 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 billowing 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 reducing 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