Scottish farmers urged to take advantage of new equipment grant scheme

The Scottish Government has opened a new grant scheme available for the next five weeks to all registered farming businesses to help equip farms to increase efficiencies.

The ‘Sustainable Agriculture Capital Grant Scheme’ provides farmers with the opportunity to part finance a set list of eligible capital items. Listed items include stock handling equipment, precision farming equipment such as GPS systems and yield monitors, slurry store covers and very flexible tyres.

As the grant scheme is only open for five weeks, time is of the essence for Scottish farmers wishing to apply. There is no requirement to obtain quotes as the application is based on standard costs which should ease the application process. 

Applications will be scored against the scheme’s environment and sustainability aims. While there is no requirement to provide a business case for the items, having a carbon audit, nutrient management plan or vet plan will help your case. 

Bell Ingram Land Agent, Rhona Booth comments on the new scheme: “I would urge farmers to consider what they may need for their business in forthcoming years in terms of equipment and if the list contains an item which is likely to be required in the near future then they should apply for the grant.” 

Successful applicants require to make a claim with supporting receipt by 31 March 2021. The maximum grant is £20,000 and the list of items range in value from £250 for a fence energiser to £24,666 for a slurry injection system, therefore suiting a range of budgets.

Our land management team manage a large number of farms, estates and corporate properties, providing bespoke advice and management services to ensure our clients maximise their assets and achieve their aims.

Find your nearest Bell Ingram office to discuss any aspect of your land management needs.

Article posted on 09/09/2020

Alasdair Reynolds retires after 35 years at Bell Ingram

After over 35 years at Bell Ingram, Alasdair Reynolds, Director and Renewables & Utilities Consultant, officially retired on Tuesday, April 30.

Bell Ingram Chairman Graham Lumby said: “On behalf of everyone who has worked with you over the years and those who work with you currently, I’d like to thank you for your loyal service and say that we will miss you enormously.”

Staff gathered in the boardroom to wish Alasdair a fond farewell and Graham (left) presented him with a number of gifts including a lovely etching by artist Norman Wilkinson and framed photograph of Taransay.

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Graham Lumby

Consultant, FRICS
Utilities & Renewables, Valuations
Tel: 01738 621 121

About: Graham Lumby FRICS works as a consultant focusing on work for utility and renewables clients. Interests: Corporate Estate Management, Pipelines & Utilities, Telecommunications, Rural Land Management.

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Article posted on 01/05/2019

Bell Ingram announces new Managing Partner Mark Mitchell

Bell Ingram – one of the UK’s largest independent firms of Chartered Surveyors – has announced that Mark Mitchell will become its new Managing Partner on 1st April 2019. Graham Lumby will continue to represent the firm as Chairman.

The Rural Land and Property experts have professionals spanning a range of services, from forestry and mapping to architecture and farm sales. The firm has a rich heritage and will celebrate its 120th year in November.

Mark joined the firm as a trainee in 1993 and has subsequently fulfilled various senior management roles, latterly as Partner in charge of Estate Agency and Health and Safety. A Rural Leader and current Vice Chair of the Perthshire Agricultural Society, Mark is a stalwart of the local community with an unwavering commitment to the sector.

Commenting on his new role, Mark said: “The future is bright for Bell Ingram. The change in leadership signals a new direction for the firm; with ambitious plans for growth underway for the next five years spelling exciting times ahead for the business.

“The current economic and regulatory environments continue to present land-based businesses with opportunities and challenges in areas on which Bell Ingram is ideally placed to advise.

“I look forward to the challenges of being Managing Partner, working with my colleagues to continue to deliver the outstanding service that sets us apart, while providing an environment where our people can flourish.

“Graham’s tenure has been very impressive, and I am delighted that he will continue to contribute to the implementation of our strategy and our future growth. Thanks to his leadership, the firm is in an excellent position. I’m delighted to have the opportunity to build on this success and see us go from strength to strength.”

Bell Ingram revolutionises woodland mapping techniques

Bell Ingram is shaking up traditional woodland mapping techniques with its ground-breaking new Cloud-based system which marks a significant change to the way the company works.

In a presentation which was widely shared on Twitter (#AGIScot19), Bell Ingram’s Head of Mapping Chris Duncan gave the sector an exclusive preview of the Forestry Cloud at the recent AGI Conference in Stirling.

The system, which rolled out to Bell Ingram’s Forestry team this month, allows access from virtually anywhere and on any device to view the company’s forest management records at the click of a button.

Additionally, the team is moving forward with a paperless approach to site work with rugged tablets, offline working and shortly will record all H&S, work instructions and site inspections electronically without the need to take paper records.

Chris Duncan explained: “Bell Ingram has used geographic information system (GIS) and digital mapping for Forestry for many years. Several years ago, it became abundantly clear that storing individual datasets for each property was not a sensible approach as we manage many forests from multiple offices across Scotland. We required a more integrated approach and the solution we have developed is a Cloud-based geodatabase built on the open-source software PostgresSQL and QGIS.”

Bell Ingram’s system allows all its foresters to have secure access to the company’s forest database for any office or any other internet-connected location. The company is also able to publish information online, via a secure service, allowing its clients to access their own forest records.

2019 re-writes the property rulebook says Carl Warden

The Perth and Kinross property market enjoyed a record-breaking start to 2019 despite uncertainty over Brexit.

It was inevitable that the fall-out from the mini budget and its controversial tax cuts would manifest itself in the housing and mortgage markets because the cost and availability of credit is a significant driver of the market.

Therefore, it comes as no big surprise to see mortgage lenders suspend many rates and deals as they gather their breath before attempting to reprice the market.

It goes without saying that any big jump in the mortgage rate is a major concern for those who are buying houses at the moment. But, if you like the house, you can afford it and are confident you can continue to afford it, then there is no reason not to go ahead with your purchase.

What is fairly certain is that we can wave goodbye to the historically low interest rates that we have grown used to and brace ourselves for a return to the higher levels we last saw in 2012.

There’s also been much speculation that we could be facing a housing market crash. But while prices could fall over the longer term, there is no evidence that they will collapse like they did during the global financial crisis of 2007/8. The market in Scotland is still functioning well despite the uncertainty.  I am seeing a small number of buyers pulling out of deals as we wait for this immediate uncertainty to pass, but I don’t see this continuing and especially so at the top end of the market.

From a Scottish perspective, it will be interesting to see if the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Kate Forbes MSP, replicates Kwasi Kwarteng’s Stamp Duty cuts for the Land & Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) bands in Scotland.

On September 23, the UK Government announced a permanent cut to stamp duty in a bid to boost economic growth. The announcement means that in England no stamp duty will be paid on the first £250,000 of any property, up from £125,000 previously.

For first-time buyers in England the threshold is now £425,000, up from £300,000. The maximum value of a property on which first-time buyers’ relief can be claimed will also rise from £500,000 to £625,000.

While first-time buyers in Scotland do not pay LBTT on property purchases up to £175,000, a 2% LBTT rate is paid on property valued between £145,001 and £250,000.

It would be a big worry for the property sector should the Scottish Government not bring us more into line with the rest of the UK.  A reduction in LBTT would go a long way to giving the Scottish housing market a boost, particularly for the lower bands, as we navigate this period of economic uncertainty.

For advice on your house move, or for a free market appraisal contact Carl Warden, Head of Estate Agency on 01738 621121 or email carl.warden@bellingram.co.uk

Article posted on 22/03/2019

New partnership appointment strengthens rural property agency

Property expert Carl Warden has been appointed Partner in charge of Agency for Bell Ingram.

A specialist in rural property with over 30 years’ experience Carl has a strong reputation in the Perthshire area.

His appointment in 2016 was a coup for the company and the promotion demonstrates the firms long term commitment to driving rural property sales.

“Since joining Bell Ingram in 2016 our agency team has gone from strength to strength increasing sales by 53% in a tough market,” explains Carl.

“Bell Ingram has a rich heritage in rural property with a portfolio of some of the best properties in Scotland.  A combination of traditional and online marketing with placement in key publications ensures we reach the right buyers.

“Relationships are incredibly important.  Properties are a significant asset and buying or selling is often very personal experience.  Our team have the best interests of the clients at heart.  We give honest advice based on individual circumstances and using our extensive knowledge of the market.” 

The property landscape in Scotland is becoming increasingly complex with the change to Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT), Additional Dwelling Supplement (ADS) (rising to 4% in Scotland on 25^th January) and uncertainty around Brexit.  

Carl adds: “With increased costs and complex regulation, it is imperative that clients experience the best quality of service and support.  This is a service you simply will not get from fixed fee online agents.”

Graham Lumby, Managing Partner for Bell Ingram, said of the appointment: “Carl is a safe accomplished pair of hands with a wealth of professional experience in rural property.  There is no one better to steer our agency business or to navigate the turbulent property market on behalf of our clients.”

Scottish Sporting Rates: Appeals deadline and final payment notices

The last opportunity to appeal for those who received notification of liability for non-domestic rates on sporting rights is fast approaching.

The deadline is six months from the date of notification letter issued by the local Assessors Office and as most notices were sent out in September or early October, the deadline will be the end of March or early April – so do check your paperwork.

Sarah Tyson, partner in the Perth Office of Bell Ingram, said “There will be many instances where an Appeal is justified – from basic errors such as incorrect information being used to situations where sporting rights cannot realistically be exercised.

“The liability for rates continues at the original assessed level until an Appeal is resolved, although of course there is currently the chance to claim Small Business Bonus Scheme (SBBS) relief each year and remove or reduce liability, depending upon circumstances.

“The relief must be claimed through your local Council against the demand for rates which is issued each year.”

Those who have received final demand notices from their Council in the last few weeks should ensure they take action now to avoid further pursuit for the 2017/18 rates debt. New Notices for 2018/19 will soon begin to be issued and any relief due will need to be claimed again.

If you need assistance with sporting rates in Scotland, please contact Sarah Tyson on 01738 621 121.