Legislation and regulation

Sources of further information

Contact numbers for the following bodies are in the telephone directory:

• Local Authority Environmental Health Dept (advice on all health and safety issues)
• Local Authority Trading Standards Dept (advice on all trading legislation)
• Local Employment Service Jobcentres (advice on all employment matters)
• Local Fire Authority
• Local Planning Authority

The Law Society operates the "Lawyers for Your Business" scheme which provides a free legal consultation with a participating solicitor for at least half an hour. (Lawyers for Your Business information line; 020 7405 9075). Website: www.lfyb.lawsociety.org.uk

The Association of Chartered and Certified Accountants (ACCA) can provide (free of charge) a directory of practising firms and a directory of ACCA members willing to act as Business Mentors. Contact: ACCA Distribution Unit, PO Box 66, Glasgow G41 1BS Tel 0141 309 3996 Website: www.accaglobal.com/smallbusiness

The National Hairdressers’ Federation offer a legal advice service to members. National Hairdressers’ Federation, 11 Goldington Road, Bedford MK40 3JY Tel 01234 360332

Performing Right Society Ltd (PRS), 29/33 Berners Street, London W1P 4AA Tel PRS free hotline 0800 068 4828 Website: www.prs.co.uk

Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL)/Video Performance Ltd (VPL), Ganton House, 14-22 Ganton Street, London W1V 1LB Tel 020 7437 0311

The Information Commissioner should be contacted to register as a data user if records of clients’ details are kept. Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF Tel 01625 545700 Website: www.dataprotection.gov.uk

Guidance notes on health and safety legislation are available from the Health and Safety Executive, HSE Information Centre, Broad Lane, Sheffield S3 7HQ (HSE Infoline 0541 545500) www.hse.gov.uk

Leaflets about the Companies Act and how it applies to a company and its officers are available free of charge from Companies House, Crown Way, Maindy, Cardiff CF4 3UZ Tel 029 2038 8588 Website: www.companieshouse.gov.uk

Useful publications include;

• A Step-by-Step Guide to Planning Permission for Small Businesses from local Planning Authorities
• Fire Precautions in the Workplace - Information for Employers from The Stationery Office (Tel 020 7873 9090) or TSO book shops
• An Introduction to Health and Safety (ref INDG 259) from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 6FS Tel 01787 881165
• Essentials of Health and Safety at Work and many other relevant publications are also available from HSE Books
• Starting your own business? (booklet CWL1) and National Insurance contributions for self-employed people (booklet CWL2) from any Inland Revenue, VAT or Contributions Agency office
• Self Assessment: A guide to keeping records for the self employed SA/BK3 from any Inland Revenue office
• Should I be registered for VAT? leaflet 700/1 from local VAT office (see under Customs and Excise in telephone directory)
• Quick Guide for Employees leaflet CA27 from Local Contributions Agency Office or call the Employers Helpline 0345 143 143
• Employment Department booklets on all aspects of employment legislation and small business management are available from Jobcentres
• Small Firms: setting up in business (RG01). A guide to regulatory requirements (URN 01/1071)
• Employing Staff A Guide to Regulatory Requirements (URN 01/726) both available from DTI Publications, Admail 528, London SW1W 8YT Tel 0870 150 2500
• Employing People: A Handbook for Small Firms (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service Publications) from ACAS Publications, PO Box 235, Hayes, Middlesex UB3 1HF Tel 0870 242 9090 Website: www.acas.org.uk
• Starting and Running Your Own Business, Dennis F Millar - one in a series of booklets produced by the Department of Employment intending to help those running a small business or people wishing to start a business, available from Jobcentres
• Law For The Small Business 10th edn, Patricia Clayton (Kogan Page)
• Guide to Working For Yourself 21st edn, Godfrey Golzen (Kogan Page)