Philip Pocock

After 50 years of service we would like to announce that Philip Pocock has retired from the Board of Directors of Adkin with effect from 1st October. Philip will continue to serve as a Consultant to Adkin on a part-time basis. We would like to thank Philip for his dedication and commitment to Adkin and the profession throughout his career and we wish him well in his new role.

 

Change of Use of Agricultural Buildings to Residential Use In England

From 6th April 2014 a new Use Class MB with permitted development right to allow the change of use of agricultural buildings to dwellings in England by the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development)(Amendment and Consequential Provisions)(England) Order 2014 (SI2014/564) was introduced.  Other parts of the United Kingdom do not apply.

CHANGE OF USE OF AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS TO RESIDENTIAL USE IN ENGLAND

 

Commercial Rent Arrears Recovery (England & Wales)

When a tenant owes a landlord rent the landlord has the right to seize tenant’s goods to recover the debt which falls under the common law of distress.  However, from 6th April 2014 the old common law will be abolished and a new regime of Commercial Rent Arrears Recovery (CRAR) will be introduced in England and Wales by the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013 (SI 2013/1984).

As the new CRAR regime will be more restricted than the law of distress, below are some of the key changes: Continue reading >>

Jenna Wald – Fellow of the CAAV

Adkin are very pleased to announce that Jenna Wald has passed her exams to become a Fellow of the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers.

Jenna also passed her RICS exams last month to become a Chartered Surveyor.

We hope you will join us in giving Jenna a big pat on the back for this excellent achievement!

Jenna Wald – Surveyor

Adkin are pleased to announce that Jenna Wald has recently been successful in her Assessment of Professional Competence and is now a fully qualified Surveyor.

Many congratulations from all at Adkin.

Abolition of the Agricultural Wages Order

There are key issues employers need to be aware of when the Agricultural Wages Order ceased to exist on 1st October but for all queries please seek independent legal advice.  In summary these are as follows:

  • You cannot just start paying the National Minimum Wage (NMW) from 1st October to existing workers – employees will have ‘accrued rights’ which will continue to apply.
  • The NMW categorises employees purely on the basis of their age, rather than the AWO which categorised on the basis of ability, skills, qualification and job duties. The NMW is reviewed annually on 1st October. Continue reading >>

Deadline to Register Agricultural Waste Exemptions!

Farmers and landowners have until the end of September to ensure they are handling waste correctly as new rules come into force.

Most farmers registered their current Agricultural Waste Exemptions before 2010, when the latest regulations came into force. They expire at the end of this month and old exemptions have been replaced by a new list of exempt activities.

The Environment Agency have advised that some are almost identical to exemptions in the old system, others are similar but have different limits and conditions and some are completely new so it is important to check that you are able to comply before applying. Failure to register means that from September 30 farmers and landowners will be operating without a permit and committing a criminal offence.

Farmers are being asked to register online. Guidance and further information is available at www.environmentagency.gov.uk/farmexemptions

Christine Thomas – Graduation

Christine Thomas was awarded the Holand Silver Medal for Top student of Rural Land Management, year 3 at her recent graduation. Many congratulations from all at Adkin.