THE OFFICIAL VOICE OF THE NORTHERN IRELAND FEDERATION OF CLUBS Club ReviewVOLUME 33 - Issue 2, 2020 EVEN APART, WE STAND TOGETHER. COVID-19 (coronavirus): Public information You can help prevent the spread of infection. The best way to protect yourself and others is: Wash your hands with soap and water, or use a sanitiser gel, regularly throughout the day. Catch your cough or sneeze in a tissue, bin it, and wash your hands. If you have recently arrived back from specified areas follow the returning traveller advice. Check the list of areas and find out more at pha.site/coronavirus Public Health Agency, 12–22 Linenhall Street, Belfast BT2 8BS. www.publichealth.hscni.net Adapted from material produced by Public Health England. Federation Update From the Secretary’s desk It is our sincere hope that some From the scant information into line with the remainder of clubs and businesses will not that we have at hand, to take the UK, where twelve months be lost to us, due to the speed advantage of the Coronavirus has been afforded. If that turns at which legislation is being Jobs Retention Scheme grant, out not to be the case, we will implemented. staff must be sent home in the have the opportunity to broach first instance, and also placed the subject in a meeting with the The number of calls being on furlough. The purpose of Finance Minister Conor Murphy received all seek the same the scheme is to ensure that MLA, in early April. advice. Do we have to close? as few staff as possible go out Although this remained your to work and heighten the risk What role can we play in decision until Friday night, the of infection to the general controlling the coronavirus? Government decided to enforce population. While some will wish to carry Harry Beckinsale, Secretary, closure through legislation, a on as normal, we all nevertheless N.I. Federation of Clubs decision taken in an attempt We request that all clubs need to be mindful of the to slow the progress of the however, gain advice from their risk posed by this coronavirus We are certainly living in Covid-19 infection. insurance provider/HR advisor pandemic. Without doubt, this strange times, and the pace at and follow their guidance in all is a dreadful situation, impacting which our day to day lives are How we were required to treat instances. on day-to-day life. being reshaped, is changing the staff, was of prime concern, landscape at frightening speed. which, until the announcement Will I still have to pay Sky TV? So what can you do? of the introduction of No you will not. Sky TV The decision to close your The relationships we have the Government backed have informed us that club, or remain open, has been developed with suppliers to Coronavirus Jobs Retention billing has been suspended taken out of your hands. Many the registered club sector has Scheme on Friday 20th since 14th March 2020. We of our members had already provided mutual benefits over March, was causing turmoil understand that BT Sport have taken the decision to close as a many years, but in particular, for individuals and families implemented something similar. sensible thing to do. However with the difficulties presented by throughout the province. We the pace at which things are the Pandemic this has resulted are still trying to gain clarity on Other organisations, such moving is quite astounding, in the provision of support how this scheme will actually as PPL/PRS, may possibly and it is important we care for which has been outstanding by function, as it doesn’t appear to afford consideration over the one another, particularly the any measure. be as straightforward as at first timespan of closure and the vulnerable in our society. thought. entertainment being cancelled. Since first receiving a press While clubs have the advantage release from Diageo, closely From the initial information No doubt many other difficult of knowing those who enter followed by Tennent’s NI, that we have sourced online days are ahead of us, but if we their club, the information from Molson Coors and Russell’s etc., from various agencies, if work in a team spirit, I am quite health professionals supersedes together with similar offers of you, as the employer, have a sure we can overcome them. everything. If we all follow support from other numerous clause in your staff contract of Government guidelines, we will suppliers, the support has been employment which allows for Club representatives who come out of this a lot quicker. humbling. you to either introduce lay off, have contacted me have been or short time working, then apologetic, commenting that I The following pages contain Unfortunately, the support the answer is that no consent is must be inundated with calls. information from the NHS and offered by the Prime required from staff. Well yes, I have been, as has other health bodies on best Minister, is substantial, but been the Chairman and my practice on what to do during is hampered by the delay If there is no lay off clause in other Federation colleagues, these troubled times. The between announcement and the contract, technically consent but that is what we are here information is obviously subject introduction. will be needed. However, if an for. Therefore, if you require to change, but at the time of employee refuses to consent to assistance, please do not hesitate writing is the correct course of Hopefully our own Finance be sent home on furlough, then to call us. action to take. Minister, Conor Murphy MLA, they risk being made redundant. will afford N. Ireland businesses The employer could make an As stated above, while we are Member clubs should be aware the same twelve month rating employee redundant if they aware that rates will be put that the Federation is here to holiday, as is the case for our refuse, provided they have been on hold for three months, we help you. It is precisely what we counterparts in England. selected for it fairly. remain hopeful that we will fall are here for! nifederationofclubs.com Issue 2 2020 Club Review 3 Club Review is published by Media Marketing, Unit B7, Portview Trade Centre, Belfast BT4 1HE - Tel: 028 9045 9864 • Fax: 028 9045 9034 • Email: [email protected] Federation Update Business advice Courtesy of Gavin Robinson MP This following information is throughout this period 1st March 2020 but will be • Income Tax Self-Assessment, accurate as of 23rd March of disruption caused by extended if necessary. payments due on the 31st 2020 but may be subject to COVID-019. July 2020 will be deferred change due to the rapid progress Deferring VAT and Income until the 31st January 2021. being made at all levels of Coronavirus Job Retention Tax Payments • This is an automatic offer - Government. Scheme • Businesses will have their no applications necessary. Key features of the scheme: VAT payments deferred for Given the range of queries • Employees are on 3 months until 30th June Northern Ireland Business relating to COVID-19 ‘furlough’ leave rather than 2020 Rates Relief (Coronavirus), I have dismissed • Income Tax Self-Assessment, • COVID Small Business compiled this note to be • The Government will payments due on the 31 July Grant - A grant of £10,000 helpful. With advice and fund 80% of wages up to 2020 will be deferred until for all small businesses who guidance changing rapidly, it a maximum of £2,500 per the 31st January 2021 are eligible for the Small is not exhaustive, but I hope month • This is an automatic offer - Business Rate Relief Scheme it proves useful. • For any employee on the no applications necessary (ie all businesses with a payroll on the 1st March NAV up to £15,000). More UK Government Support 2020 Business Interruption Loan information is available at For Business • Payments will be available Scheme www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/ The UK government has set from the end of April and • Businesses will have their content/small-business-rate- out a package of measures backdated to 1st March VAT payments deferred for relief to protect public services, • The Scheme will run for 3 months until 30th June • Hospitality, Tourism people and businesses at least three months from 2020 and Retail Sectors Grant 4 Club Review Issue 2 2020 nifederationofclubs.com Scheme - An immediate grant of £25,000 for companies in these sectors with a rateable value from £15,000 up to £51,000. Details are still to follow Businesses in Northern Ireland will not receive a rates bill this month. Bills will not be issued until June and the intervening three months will be covered by £100 million allocated in last week’s budget. Details can be found at www. finance-ni.gov.uk/news/covid- 19-ps100m-emergency-rates- package-businesses If you have financial difficulty with paying rates, you are encouraged to contact Land and Property Services at www.finance-ni. gov.uk/land-property-services- Employers agreed to facilitate a 3 month also bring forward legislation lps or access NI Direct Government has committed payment holiday should you to stop eviction cases from online www.nidirect.gov.uk/ to repaying SSP for employers require help to meet your proceeding through the courts information-and-services/ with a staff level less than mortgage payments. This also during this crisis. guide-rates/help-paying-your- 250. The regulations to put includes equity loans for those Food Banks rates this action in law have yet with Help to Buy Mortgages Food banks are there to help to be finalised, so details and for renters/landlords, those most in need, but also COVID-19 Emergency Grant will follow but reference can Buy to Let Mortgages.