Following our recent special ‘Summer Bulletin’, which provided a very rosy picture of the city’s going’s on, normal service is resumed in this latest DLIB commentary, with a more balanced view of Liverpool’s regeneration and future prospects provided for your perusal. And there is so much to report. Too much in fact. We have had to neglect Quiggins campaign to stay in the city, the Big Dig and the classy refurbishment of Mosquito!

A WEEK IS A LONG TIME IN POLITICS…

And if the dramatic happenings at Liverpool City Council are anything to go by, a month is a bloody eternity! We are informed, via a very carefully worded statement, that Chief Executive Sir David Henshaw and Leader Mike Storey, have kissed and made up. Phrases such as ‘evil cabal’ and ‘stitch up’ have suddenly been replaced by ‘mutual respect’ and ‘working together for the good of the city’. Very nice too, as we all like a happy ending. On a serious note, though, some real good may come out of this rather unfortunate public spat between the two principal architects of Liverpool’s renaissance. Sir David will, finally, relinquish his role as Chief Executive of the Culture Company. And, surely now, elected Members, rather than their appointed officials, will take a more prominent role in the decision making and delivery of policies affecting the city’s future. We may actually get to know who one or two of our Councillors are!!!! Read more

JIM’LL FIX IT!

Work on one of the key strategic regeneration projects in the city, the Kings Dock, has started. The multi million pound initiative will transform the site, with the introduction of a 9,000 plus arena; a conference centre; two hotels, and quality residential and commercial property. Credit to Liverpool Vision, in particular its Chief Executive Jim Gill, for persevering and fighting for the delivery of a significant scheme on a site that suffered many false dawns. Lesser men would have thrown in the towel. Pity Jim, too, for the number of agencies he has had to get to agree to have this signed off. View the Press Release announcing the scheme, and count how many different bodies had to be ‘name checked’.

TRAM SCHEME IN TROUBLE – AGAIN

Bad news on the tram front though, as the Government finally tired of Merseyside’s perennial problem of prevarication over a major scheme, and pulled the plug on the investment. A campaign has now been launched to get the project back on track! Read more

GOVERNMENT THINK TANK FOCUSES ON LIVERPOOL

The Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) is undertaking a study on behalf of the Treasury, with Liverpool at the heart of its research. ‘City Centre Living’ and ‘Financial Devolution to Cities/ city regions’ will be the issues addressed by the study. Watch this space for further developments.

LIVERPOOL ONE

DLIB’s campaign to cut red tape and bureaucracy, and downsize the number of agencies and quangos governing the city is gathering momentum, and winning support. Add your name to the list of entrepreneurs and business leaders who back the ‘Liverpool One’ campaign. If you need any encouragement, view Liverpool City Council’s structure for the delivery of regeneration (PDF 131kb) Then, vent your anger and frustration by playing Downtown Invaders

HOW ‘EURO FRIENDLY’ IS LIVERPOOL?

Liverpool is the ‘European Capital of Culture’ in 2008. Merseyside has benefited from millions of Euros, via the Objective One programme, for fourteen years. And Liverpool FC are the European Champions. However, following ‘Non’ votes to the new EU constitution in France and the Netherlands, Europe’s popularity appears to be waning. Where do you stand on the European question. Are you ‘Pro’ or ‘anti’ Click here to vote now

HERITAGE STATUS – HELP OR HINDERENCE?

Our poll last month asked: Should Liverpool City Council approach Unesco, and re-draw the World Heritage Site boundary, so that only the waterfront is protected? Over 60 % of you voted YES – The City Council should re-draw the WHS boundary. Thank you to all those who participated in the poll. Click here for result

LIVERPOOL BUSINESS OSCARS – VOTE NOW!

Eighteen of Liverpool’s leading companies have been nominated for a Business Oscar – but only six can win. Vote for your favourite, and help to decide the winners of these prestigious awards here. DLIB presents this sell out event in association with the Northwest Development Agency and NO NAME Kitchens.

Companies ‘must review their attitude to older workers’
Employers will have to review the way they deal with older workers in view of an ageing population and new rules on age discrimination. The comments come after ACAS issued guidance on employing older workers. Read more

DLIB RECOMMENDS

Grant Thornton’s Spring/ Summer ‘Property Matters’ newsletter. An easy to read, accessible publication that covers a number of topics, including Capital Allowances and Regeneration. Download here (PDF 1.71mb)

‘It is well known in the building industry that there is currently a massive push by the HM Revenue and Customs ("HMRC") to try to recategorise many more people who are "self employed" as "employed", with the additional national insurance employers cost which follows. What isn't so well known is that these additional costs can be partially offset by paying these types of employees in a tax efficient way, which is acceptable to HMRC.’ – Grant Thornton

For more useful tax tips and advice, visit the tax section on our website with content supplied by the leading accountancy firm Grant Thornton. Read more

RACHEL MEETS FRANK

Click here to view Taxi TV’s interviews with DLIB Chairman Frank McKenna.