Vacancy – Client Account Manager & Administrator

Posted by & filed under Adkin News.

CLIENT ACCOUNT MANAGER & ADMINISTRATOR

Adkin is one of the most respected and well established rural surveying practices in Oxfordshire and the surrounding counties.  Based in the attractive village of Ardington near Wantage, our work includes all aspects of agricultural, rural, commercial and residential property, and our client base covers principally Central Southern England. Many of our clients have been with us for generations, something we are very proud of, and is a testament to the dedication and expertise of the firm.

We have a team of qualified rural surveyors and support staff and due to an ever increasing workload, an opportunity has arisen for the appointment of a new Client Account Manager and Administrator. The successful applicant will have a relevant accounting qualification, experience with computerised accounting systems and excellent knowledge of all Microsoft applications. Roles will include overseeing the Client Accounting function together with certain administrative tasks. A working knowledge of Farmplan would be preferred but is not essential.

We are looking for someone with a flexible approach who is hardworking and self-motivated with an ability to work accurately with figures and meticulous attention to detail. Excellent oral and written communication skills are essential together with the confidence and ability to work alone or as part of a team.

This is an opportunity to join a highly respected, friendly and dynamic team with an interesting and varied workload. A competitive salary and benefits package will be offered.

Please send applications in writing enclosing your CV to:

Mrs Sarah Payne, Adkin, Orpwood House, School Road, Ardington, Wantage, Oxon, OX12 8PQ.

If you wish to call to discuss the position in the first instance, please contact Sarah on (01235) 434383 or e-mail sarah.payne@adkin.co.uk

All applications and enquires will be treated in strictest confidence.

Closing date for applications: Monday 1 February 2016

 

 

 

The Worshipful Company of Farmers

Posted by & filed under Adkin News.

Julian Sayers was recently elected as the Junior Warden for The Worshipful Company of Farmers, a role he is looking forward to fulfilling over the course of the next twelve months as he helps to promote the agricultural industry within the City.

 

BPS 2015 Entitlement Values & Greening Payment Announced

Posted by & filed under Adkin News.

 The RPA has confirmed the BPS 2015 entitlement values and Greening payment this week. 

BPS 2015 Entitlement Values – €171.83 Non-SDA, €170.60 SDA Non-Moorland and €45.07 SDA Moorland.

Greening Payment – This is an additional payment over and above the BPS entitlement value. €76.19 for non SDA, €75.64 SDA Non-Moorland and €19.99 SDA Moorland.

The exchange rate was confirmed at the end of September as being €1 = £0.73129

Exchange Rate for BPS Payments Set

Posted by & filed under Adkin News.

 

The Euro exchange rate to be applied to convert euros to sterling for the purpose of the Basic Payment Scheme 2015 payments has been set.

It is the average of the European Central Bank exchange rates set throughout September 2015.  It was announced on the 30th September that it will be €1 = £73129.  This is the lowest rate since SPS 2007 when €1 = £0.69680.

 

Official Opening of the Livery Companies New Hall

Posted by & filed under Adkin News.

Julian Sayers met HRH The Princess Royal in his capacity as Chairman of Farmers & Flectchers Hall Limited at the official opening of the Livery Companies new Hall following the £1.6 million refurbishment programme.

Her Royal Highness, a former Master of the Worshipful Company of Farmers, kindly conducted the proceedings and was delighted with the new facilities which the refurbished Hall provides.

Adkin Wedding

Posted by & filed under Adkin News.

We would like to congratulate Julian on his marriage to Dee on the 11th September.  It was a beautiful Autumn day and we wish them both all the best for the future.

Julian Dee Wedding (2)

Residential Property – Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations

Posted by & filed under Adkin News, Legislation.

The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 have been published in draft and are due to come into force on 1st October 2015.

The Regulations state that landlords must:

  1. Ensure that a smoke alarm is equipped on each storey of the premises on which there is a room used wholly or partly as living accommodation.
  2. Ensure that a carbon monoxide alarm is equipped in any room of the premises which is used wholly or partly as living accommodation and contains a solid fuel burning combustion appliance.
  3. Make checks to ensure that each alarm is in proper working order on the start of a new tenancy.   

The phrase “solid fuel burning combustion appliance” is not defined in the Regulations, but guidance from the Health and Safety Executive suggests that both open fires and wood burning stoves fall within that description.

The Regulations apply to “relevant landlords”, defined as:

  1. The immediate landlord
  2. of residential premises in England
  3. which are let on a tenancy which grants one or more persons the right to occupy all or part of the premises as their only or main residence.

It therefore seems likely that, as with the Gas Safety Regulations, these Regulations will apply to houses let under an AHA tenancy or a Farm Business Tenancy, or residential premises which are part of a business tenancy, as well as property let under a residential tenancy.

The requirement to check that alarms are in working order only applies to new tenancies starting on or after 1st October 2015. This does not include a new periodic tenancy arising on the end of a fixed term shorthold tenancy, nor any other tenancy arising on the end of an earlier tenancy where the landlord, the tenant and the premises are all the same or substantially the same. A tenancy granted in pursuance of an agreement entered into before 1st October 2015 is also excluded from the requirement for checks. However in the spirit of best practice and to minimise risk it is advisable to ensure that all let residential property have alarms installed. It may also be a requirement of your insurance policy in any event.

A landlord who fails to comply with the Regulations may be served with a remedial notice by the local housing authority. The notice must specify the premises, state the breach, specify the remedial action required and give the landlord 28 days to comply. The landlord may challenge a remedial notice within 28 days. If the landlord does not challenge the notice or carry out the work required, the local authority may arrange for the remedial action to be carried out, with the consent of the occupier. Where a landlord is in breach of the Regulations and has been served with a remedial notice, a local authority may also charge a penalty of up to £5,000. The landlord has a right of appeal against a penalty charge notice to the First Tier Tribunal.

 

Countryside Stewardship – Application Window Now Open

Posted by & filed under Adkin News, Grants & Subsidies.

Applications for the new Countryside Stewardship Scheme are now open.

The main priority for Countryside Stewardship is to protect and enhance the natural environment, in particular the diversity of wildlife (biodiversity) and water quality. Other outcomes include:

  • flood management;
  • the historic environment;
  • landscape character;
  • genetic conservation; and
  • educational access.

The scheme is jointly run by Natural England, Forestry Commission England and the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) on behalf of Defra.

The Countryside Stewardship manual is only available online and can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/countryside-stewardship-manual

The options and supplements and capital items guidance can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/countryside-stewardship-manual-print-version These documents explain the requirements for capital items and annual management options and supplements under the Countryside Stewardship scheme.

The application window is open from the 1st July to the 30th September. Applications are competitive and there is no guarantee your application will be successful. Natural England will notify those who have been successful in November. The Agreement will then commence on the 1st January 2016. If you miss the application window this year or you are unsuccessful you will have to wait until July 2016 to apply. Due to the move to annual start dates those Agreements will not start until January 2017.

If you are interested in Countryside Stewardship and would like to talk about it in more detail, or need help making an application, please contact Emily Ham.

Congratulations to Jess Allen

Posted by & filed under Adkin News.

Adkin are pleased to announce that Jess Allen has recently been successful in passing the Assessment of Professional Competence with the RICS and is now a fully qualified Surveyor. Many congratulations from all at Adkin!