Round-up of news from businesses in our Uckfield Directory

Here's a round-up of news from some of the businesses in our Uckfield Directory.

Pupils of the Red Amber Green Driving School have had plenty to celebrate.

The school has had only two pupils fail the driving test since last November. And first-time passes are running at 91 per cent in tests taken at both Tunbridge Wells and Burgess Hill, writes Paul Watson.

Proprietor Roy Garrod said: “I am delighted and they are very satisfying statisitics.” As a result of these successes, Mr Garrod has a couple of slots available now for people wanting to learn to drive.

Claire Packham of Bookkeepers Team 4 Solutions is the driving force behind a new branch of the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers.

Members will meet at Blackboys for the inaugural meeting on May 9 and if you are a member of the Institute and haven’t booked, you can do so through the ICB website.

Students, sole traders, employers and employees, who are members, are expected at the meeting.

Claire said it will be up to members to decide the programme but she envisages to start with there will be some “ice-breakers”, networking and advice sessions through personal presentations.

There will also be Continued Professional Development (CPD) which all members have to undertake each year to ensure their skills are fully up-to-date.

Claire has featured in UckfieldNews.com before with her efforts supporting a charity which working to build peace in Israel and Palestine. Read more here.

New business regulations come into effect in each April and October and Swindells, accountants and tax specialists, have issued an update.

Here is a flavour of what they said:

According to government reports, UK businesses stand to save around £4.17 million if it sticks to plans to reduce regulatory burdens between January and June 2012. This forms part of an on-going strategy known as the Red Tape Challenge which has seen the implementation of a 'one-in, one-out' rule regarding new legislation - and it hopes to remove more legislation in the coming months.

Swindells warns: “Despite the drive, businesses should still be aware of new regulations that may affect individuals and businesses.”

The qualifying employment period for making a claim for unfair dismissal will increase from one to two years. A fee of £250 will also be charged for bringing a case to tribunal with an additional £1,000 if the claim is accepted and given a hearing date.

Amendments to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences legislation will increase the period of incapacity following a workplace injury – which the employer must report – from over three days to over seven days incapacitation.

This means that any injury caused in the workplace, which leaves the employee incapacitated for over seven days must be reported to the relevant enforcing authority. The deadline by which the seven day injury must be reported will also increase to 15 days from the day of the accident.

The 15p a day tax and national insurance-free limit for luncheon vouchers will be finally repealed. The whole amount of vouchers used after this date will be subject to PAYE and national insurance.

This marks the end of 64 years of luncheon vouchers which were originally introduced during war-time rationing.

Shops will no longer be able to legally display tobacco products, although smaller businesses with fewer than ten employees will have until April 2015 to comply.

Uckfield Town Council is updating its business plan. It is still at the draft stage and needs the approval of the full council.

In the future year the town council will:

* With its partners, continue to review and implement the Town Centre Master Plan;

* Consult residents and implement a Neighbourhood Plan;

* With its partners continue to take an active part in all planning and development consultations;

* Lobby for the reinstatement of the rail link to Lewes;

* Make provision for the eventual replacement of the CCTV cameras; and

* Work with volunteer organisations to improve the appearance of the town’s environment.

The town council is based at Uckfield Civic Centre where rooms are available for hire for parties and meetings.

Agriculture’s showpiece event for Sussex and across the wider area takes place at the Ardingly showground on June 7, 8 9.

The South of England Show combines two key ingredients – the best of British rural life with the finest entertainment.

This year’s show throws the spotlight on the best in British agriculture, equestrianism, horticulture, food and drink, country crafts, sports and activities.

“Food for Sport” is the central theme for the South of England Show, which chimes perfectly with the Olympic celebrations taking place all over the UK during 2012.

As the South of England Show falls during Half Term, there is special emphasis on activities for families and children, although there is plenty on offer for visitors of all ages and tastes.

TR Fastenings is stacking up the silverware having won yet another award for supplier excellence.

The global fastenings supplier, which has its headquarters and a trade counter in Uckfield, was awarded the Lear Corporation’s ‘Supplier of the Year Award’ which was presented to ten companies for outstanding performance during 2011.

Last month, the fastenings firm was awarded the Philips Hamilton Supplier of the Year award for outstanding service.

Govia, which owns the rail operator on the Uckfield Line – Southern - has been shortlisted to bid for the new Thameslink franchise.

The company said: “We are proud of our track record at Southern and are committed to delivering further improvements for passengers during our current franchise which runs until 2015. We are eager to continue our work beyond this and we believe we can deliver passenger benefits across the whole Thameslink network.”

The South East Business Show will be held on May 18 (10am to 3pm) at the Millennium Conference Centre, Effingham Park, Gatwick.

Organisers describe the show as a “unique event” uniting all sectors of business and “is the only marketing medium that brings the buyer, seller and products together at the same time and in the same place. All businesses are welcome.