CCTF Newsletter

Thu 19th Apr

This month the newsletter appears to be longer than usual – that’s because there is an unusual number of courses and training opportunities coming up in the next few weeks, some later this month. Not all the courses will suit all the CCTF membership, in fact different types of business will be interested in different opportunities, but I believe there is something for everyone.

CCTF EGM – minutes and other matters

The minutes of the CCTF EGM, held on 20th March, have been uploaded to the website. The CCTF has been busy on other fronts, too. The Executive Committee of the CCTF took the unusual step of requesting that the DMO follow a step by step procedure for reforming the DMO. This was accepted at an emergency Board meeting of the DMO and will provide the basis for ensuring that the work of the DMO Review Group goes ahead. All the details have been uploaded to the website.

Why has the CCTF gone quiet? John James

I apologise for the fact that the CCTF has gone quiet for a month. This is largely due to my undergoing a hip re-surfacing operation, which has kept me out of action for quite a while. I am hoping to be much more active, starting as soon as possible, and we have a lot to do as an organisation – we need new Executive Committee members and we need to start a major membership drive. I hope to get all that moving on your behalf as soon as possible.

Bed tax put to sleep – for now

With the budget and a great deal of international news stealing the headlines over the last month, you may have missed two important items of news that directly affect our industry.

Firstly, the Lyons Inquiry final report was released, which recommended introducing a power for local authorities to levy a tourism tax where there was a strong case to do so.

But more importantly, in response to the Lyons Inquiry, after months of hard lobbying and industry representations to government, there was a quick and emphatic response from Local Government Minister, Phil Woolas, stating that the Government does NOT intend to introduce a tourism tax.

This is good news for all those, including the CCTF, who have been working hard to point out the short-sightedness and inequities of the proposed tax.

More about the budget and taxation – Tax Cafe

Just when you had forgotten about the budget, you can now find out how it affects YOU! Top tax author Carl Bayley has written an entertaining, easy to follow and informative summary of the key Budget tax changes.

Carl has uncovered all the important changes for property investors, business owners, pensioners, and others.

One Cornwall – Cornwall County Council

On 27th March 2007 the County Council’s ‘One Cornwall, One Council’ proposal to create a new authority for Cornwall was selected for further consultation by the Government. Cornwall County Council’s Chief Executive Sheila Healy said “This will transform the way local government works for the benefit of local people in Cornwall. We will be looking to establish one new authority for Cornwall which will bring a new, fresh and local perspective to the way we do business”.

You Are Invited To A Special Event:

  • Meet with partners from across Cornwall
  • Listen to the experiences of an existing unitary council
  • Debate the opportunity to improve local government for Cornwall

Date & Time: Monday 30th April 10.00am to 3.30pm
Venue: Bedruthan Steps Hotel, Mawgan Porth, Cornwall, TR8 4BU (Directions)
Availability: Places are limited
More Information: –

jcharrison@cornwall.gov.uk
01872 323406

register online

This proposal will effectively abolish the District Councils and so will inevitably have far-reaching effects on the tourism industry. JJ.

Preparing for smoke free premises – SWT

A new NHS and Smokefree England Publication has been launched on the forthcoming smoking ban, it advises what businesses need to do to prepare and comply when it is introduced on 1 July 2007.

The guide entitled Everything You Need to Prepare for the New Smoke free Law on 1 July 2007 covers topics such as:

  • Which areas will need to be made smoke free by 1 July
  • Making staff and customers aware of the new law
  • Where and when you will have to display no-smoking signs
  • How to deal with non-compliance.

You can find out more information on the new law on the Smokefree England website or call the Smokefree England information line on 0800 1691697.

View the full copy of the guide (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document – 2,478.11kb)

Your chance to get some money back from the taxman! John James

Small employers are urged to file PAYE returns online.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is encouraging small employers to file their 2006/07 Pay As You Earn (PAYE) end-of-year returns online and receive a £150 tax-free payment. The system has a built-in error alert tool which checks all returns for mistakes. HMRC has also produced a free CD-ROM containing dos and don’ts for employers to bear in mind when they are filing their PAYE returns. The deadline for filing is 19 May.

Read more

End of the line for ISDN at home – John James

This item of news may affect some smaller businesses that have used ISDN for their internet link. JJ

Broadband Internet connections have proved so successful that BT is to discontinue Integrated Digital Services Network – or ISDN as it is more commonly known – for home-based customers later this year. When most home Internet connections were dial-ups, the service was very popular with people working from home who needed faster online access. However, now that broadband take-up is increasing in the UK, demand for ISDN has plummeted.

More on this story

The Tourism and Hospitality Executive Programme – Tourism Skills Network

The Tourism and Hospitality Executive Programme – Series 2 – has now been put together by the Tourism Skills Network. This programme of interactive events is tailored to meet the needs of leaders, key decision makers and managers working in the tourism, leisure and hospitality industry in the South West. This exciting initiative combines proven expertise with best practice from the industry to stimulate ideas and facilitate future business development through lateral thinking.

Following the success of the Executive Programme in its first year, we are particularly delighted to unveil Series 2 and announce an exclusive event featuring Sir Gerry Robinson, taking place in October. Sir Gerry Robinson is one of the UK’s most influential businessmen and recently featured in the BBC series ‘Can Gerry Robinson Fix the NHS?’

The calendar of events includes:

  • 2nd May 2007 Dr Frank Dick OBE “Performance Management for Success”
  • 3rd Oct 2007 Sir Gerry Robinson “Running a Successful Tourism and Hospitality Business”
  • 22nd Nov 2007 Professor Merlin Stone “Marketing your Business”
  • 5th Feb 2008 Tozers Solicitors “Employment Law”
  • 19th Mar 2008 Larry Hochman “Embracing and Managing Change”

Places can be booked on an individual basis at £150 per person, or for multiple bookings, substantial discounts are available through pricing packages.

For more information or to book a place, please call 01275 370 913 or email

Tourism operators from Cornwall who have been to the Series 1 events have reported back that the programme is very inspirational and worthwhile. JJ

John James

Development Manager
Cornwall Commercial Tourism Federation