Scottish Parliament

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 04 Oct 2004, 17:51

Marya wrote:
Anyway, why don't you just get on with the tea?
I know, imagine filling that silly little female brain of mine with all those serious thoughts. I'll start laying the table just as soon as I finish ironing all hubby's pink shirts and putting his slippers out by the fire...

That's a girl, don't you worry your pretty little head about stuff like money.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 04 Oct 2004, 18:16

mr magnolia wrote:Of course a TRUE peoples parliament would not be having its opening ceremony clashing with the GIANT of a match at Hampden...

Haven't you heard? The timing is quite deliberate. It's a play-off for the title of 'Scotland's National Disgrace'.

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 04 Oct 2004, 18:23

Scary stuff!! Bustin' loose and going potty simultaneously!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 04 Oct 2004, 18:24

I see you're potty about Porty again?

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 04 Oct 2004, 18:26

Bob wrote:
Porty wrote:However, the good news for you is that for many types of work to your house there is no vat payable as you live in a listed building. This fact is currently saving me a small fortune.
I wasn't aware of this. Can you give us some examples of work that would not incur VAT? Replacement windows? Loft conversion? Are we talking 'B' listed?

I think distinctions are made between general repairs and alterations which have been consented to, in that repairs may be subject to VAT but some alterations may not be.

I'm sure Porty will enlighten us once he's finished winding Marya up!

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 04 Oct 2004, 21:16

Marya wrote: IFAs

I sincerely hope you are not referring to me.

Playful banter is one thing, character assasination is quite another.

What did you make BTW?

ras · Post by **ras** » 05 Oct 2004, 09:35

So Porty...let me get this right - the government is adding Ã‚Â£50,000,000 onto the quoted figure of the parliament because it feels like it.

Maybe the government 'if they felt like it' could be persuaded to allocate that Ã‚Â£50,000,000 elsewhere - like hospitals or schools - instead of tying it up with VAT just to make their accounting easier.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 05 Oct 2004, 13:15

ras wrote:So Porty...let me get this right - the government is adding Ã‚Â£50,000,000 onto the quoted figure of the parliament because it feels like it.

Maybe the government 'if they felt like it' could be persuaded to allocate that Ã‚Â£50,000,000 elsewhere - like hospitals or schools - instead of tying it up with VAT just to make their accounting easier.

Ras, no offence, but I think VAT is beyond your ken. VAT is a purchase tax that is ultimately paid to the Government. Each participant in the purchase chain, adds on value to the raw materail, sells it on at a profit and pays tax on the selling price less whatever tax they paid to the person below them in the chain. When the chain reaches the end the VAT attaching is collected by the Government. In the case of the Parliament; the building will change hands for say Ã‚Â£400m, from what you say this includes VAT. So lets say that Bovis submit a bill to the Govt for Ã‚Â£400m, this will include 17.5% VAT or Ã‚Â£60m. The Govt will payout the 60m and then when Bovis do their VAt return they will pay the Ã‚Â£60m back to Customs and Excise. There will be no Ã‚Â£60m to spend on hospitals and schools.

ras · Post by **ras** » 05 Oct 2004, 13:37

i was perhaps being a bit facetious

i am aware that there would be no Ã‚Â£50m spare,

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 05 Oct 2004, 20:46

Is anyone going along to the opening of Scottish Parliament - or is that a silly question???

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 05 Oct 2004, 21:08

Sandra wrote:Is anyone going along to the opening of Scottish Parliament - or is that a silly question???

Put it this way, if no one went, who would open it?

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 05 Oct 2004, 22:15

Porty

I meant are any cynical forum members attending...

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 05 Oct 2004, 22:17

Sandra wrote:Porty

I meant are any cynical forum members attending...

Oh, I know that dear. Just couldn't resist.

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 05 Oct 2004, 22:18

Oh Porty.. you know how to wind me up

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 05 Oct 2004, 22:21

You and everyone else Sandra.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 05 Oct 2004, 22:26

Moi?

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 05 Oct 2004, 22:47

Sandra wrote:Oh Porty.. you know how to wind me up

Sandra,
You are too nice by far.

(Bet you typed and deleted lots of other responses before posting the above.)

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 07 Oct 2004, 19:59

ecm

yes I did have several other responses in mind for Porty.

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 07 Oct 2004, 20:03

Sandra wrote:ecm

yes I did have several other responses in mind for Porty.

He's a bit of a naughty boy at times!!

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 16 Oct 2004, 22:38

Has anybody been along for a tour yet, a snip at Ã‚Â£3.75. Rumour has it at 2,000 people are visting a day....

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 16 Oct 2004, 23:09

That means that the building will pay for itself in only 146 years if the tours go on at the current rate!

Parly at night, courtesy of the cam on my phone :

mr magnolia · Post by **mr magnolia** » 05 Nov 2004, 15:32

I have always had a sneaking thought that Tony Blair wanted the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly in place in part because it gave more legitimacy to his (currently stalled) plans for NI.

No one has ever agreed with me. Am I just stoopid, niaive, or conspiracy minded?

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 05 Nov 2004, 15:46

Sandra wrote:Has anybody been along for a tour yet, a snip at Ã‚Â£3.75. Rumour has it at 2,000 people are visting a day....

I was there with the school a couple of weeks ago but unfortunately we couldn't get on a booked tour so we were only allowed into the foyer and to go in to listen to First Minister's question time. Call me old fashioned but I like to have my concrete painted! I also thought it was very dark as the ceilings in that part are low and the windows are obscured by things that are meant to look like bamboo but aren't

I also thought there was far too much wood so it looked a bit like Ikea gone mad. BUT, the cafe was very good value so all is not lost!

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 05 Nov 2004, 21:23

Epykat

I agree far too much concrete though I like the extensive use of wood.

I have liked it from the beginning - its a great building and keeps growing on me espcially when I find new ways to go places. The Garden Lobby is one of my favourite bits.

S

Brian McCrow · Post by **Brian McCrow** » 06 Nov 2004, 11:00

I visited the building a couple of weeks ago and thought the debating chamber was superb (I only hope the debate will rise to the quality of the chamber).

Externally I think it fits well via the landscaping with the Crags.

It also forms an excellent square with Holyrood Palace.

We should now concentrate on getting the right people into MSP jobs so the Parliament can start doing its job instead of acting like a bunch of Numpties.

Where's the clear statement of a Vision and the actions to get there!!

Would Jack McConnell understand a Vision unless it came out of a can of Tennants? Could he articulate it?

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 07 Nov 2004, 02:49

Brian McCrow wrote:We should now concentrate on getting the right people into MSP jobs so the Parliament can start doing its job instead of acting like a bunch of Numpties.

What makes you think they are acting?

foxy · Post by **foxy** » 10 Nov 2004, 18:23

At last a "devolved " decision we can be proud of and thankfully no half measures

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 13 Nov 2004, 10:38

As I said on Thursday if anyone fancies a look around the Parliament and lunch in the Members Restaurant (would have to be a Monday or Friday - staff are only allowed in on these days - its a limited menu but starters are about a pound and mains about Ã‚Â£4 oh and wine starts at around Ã‚Â£8 a bottle) let me know.

Sandra

foxy · Post by **foxy** » 13 Nov 2004, 10:48

Why is it so cheap Sandra?

Sounds like canteen prices so who is subsidising it

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 13 Nov 2004, 10:53

Probably you and I

Gemini · Post by **Gemini** » 26 Nov 2004, 08:24

Porty wrote:
Brian McCrow wrote:We should now concentrate on getting the right people into MSP jobs so the Parliament can start doing its job instead of acting like a bunch of Numpties.
What makes you think they are acting?

How true was this statement by Porty!

Talk Porty ~ Portobello

Scottish Parliament

Too expensive? Waste of money?

Smoking Ban