Home Meetings
Meetings
Meeting Monday 15th February 2010 PDF Print E-mail
Meetings

There were  26 members present.

 

1.         Welcome by the President and introduction to speakers.

 

Gordon Barker – Sales & Marketing Manager of Danesfield House –

a short presentation was given as follows together with literature on the history of the house:

 

“Danesfield House Hotel and Spa has enjoyed great success recently with some fantastic awards – Winner - Most Excellent Hotel Meeting Venue 2010, Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence. Our fine dining restaurant, Adam Simmonds at Danesfield House, has been awarded four red rosettes for culinary excellence by the AA as well as being placed 19th top UK restaurant in the Good Food Guide 2010. The Orangery Brasserie offers great traditional cuisine for lunch and dinner and the hotel is also a great place for Afternoon Tea.

 

The hotel is just over 100 years old and is currently continuing to enjoy investment and refurbishment. The ornate Versailles Suite is being completely repainted and work has just begun on the Conservatory. The exterior of the hotel has undergone a major refurbishment programme to restore it to a magnificent Tudor style mansion.

 

We welcome enquiries for corporate overnight visits as well as meetings of all sizes from 2 to residential meetings of 65 from Marlow Chamber members and encourage them to think of Danesfield House when planning where to entertain family or clients for lunch or dinner. Please do keep an eye on our website for special offers especially in the Restaurants. Our award winning Spa is the perfect retreat for a day or an overnight Spa Break – without the long travel time! And also makes a great gift idea – don’t forget Mother’s Day!

 

For those who regularly entertain in restaurants you may wish to consider Danesfield Dining Club – one of the many benefits is that you dine free when entertaining at least one other guests. For all enquiries please contact Gordon Barker on 01628 891010.”

 

Gillian Chapel – Best of Marlow – gave a short presentation on her business

and how Best of Marlow could help members to advertise.  For more information on how Gillian can help please go to her web site www.thebestof.co.uk/Marlow

 

Eric Meek of BCC – Transport for Bucks – gave details, facts and figures of the situation with regard to provision of salt for snow clearance on roads. It would appear that there has been insufficient salt around the country to fully supply everybody.. There is only one supplier of salt – Salt Union.  The government had issued orders that every authority had to limit their distribution to 26% of the network.  Mr. Meek informed the meeting that because of this only A & some B roads were able to be treated and this did not necessarily include bus routes. Footpaths were not a priority.  Traders in the town were not happy with this statement as they felt the icy state of the paths in Marlow had contributed to a great loss of revenue during the bad weather.

 

When asked why private companies were not used, he explained that it was a question of finance. Tim Avery had details of a local farmer who was using 4 trucks and had supplies of salt in bags and was clearing some roads in Slough and surrounding areas. He would pass on the farmer’s details to Mr. Meek to see if this farmer could be approached to help in Marlow should the situation occur next year.

 

The amount of claims due to accidents both to people and vehicles would be published at a later date.  However the BCC was already overspent on road clearance by £600,000.

 

All speakers were thanked by the President.

 

2. Apologies – there were 8 apologies and 10 people who indicated their wish to come but did not attend.

 

3.         Minutes of previous meeting – there were three corrections to be made in  A.O.B. – Martins Matters.

Should read:

a).        2009 Tax returns must be filed online before 31st January 2010

b).        Any business with a turnover of more than £100k is obliged to file VAT Returns online from March 2010

c).        Form P35 must be filed online for the tax year 2009/10 by all  employers.

 

4.         Future Meeting on “How to Deal with Rates” – the President asked for a show of hands – there were 7. He felt that perhaps the next meeting due to be held at Chez Gerrard (with the rates specialist and Duncan Curtis of Virtual Tour of Marlow giving a presentation)  was not a suitable venue and this     would be discussed in committee.  He also asked for a show of hands as to the viability of a future breakfast meeting to be held at Chez Gerrard Very few   were in favour.

 

5.         Web site – The President requested members to look on the Chamber web site  to see the “Virtual Tour of Marlow”.  This would enable them to have a better  understanding when Duncan gave his presentation at the March meeting.

 

6.         Martins Matters – Martin Spittle had attended a meeting with Bucks Business Group on budgeting process.  It would appear that we have the smallest grant increase of any in the country and the council Tax would be increased by approximately 2%.

 

He also informed that approximately 1300 Band D equivalent houses had been constructed in excess of the projection for the year, contributing £1.4m to the budget.

 

Mr. Spittle went on to explain the importance of making a will and reviewed the following issues relating to Inheritance Tax and estates, which are often      misunderstood:

 

A)      Rules of intestacy – estates over £250,000, balance half to children, life interest in other half to widow with reversion to children.

B)      Lifetime gifts – seven year rule for full exemption and taper relief only  applicable to tax if any becoming chargeable on amount gifted if death           between 3 and 7 years.

C)      Identifying available proportion of lifetime exemption from death of first spouse to add to relief on death of second spouse.

D)     Timing of payments of income during administration of an estate can be referenced to receipt of chattels not just monetary assets.”

 

7.         Future Meetings – to be advised following a decision on Point 4.

 

8.         A.O.B.

Hosting Students – Richard Scott had received via the Town Council, a request from our twin town – Marly le roi – to host students aged 18-25 for a          minimum of 4 weeks. These students were looking for work experience and Richard Scott asked  if any companies would be prepared to host. There           would be no cost involved for accommodation etc.

Longridge – were holding a “Splash Challenge” on Sunday 14th March. This was a fund raising day to help towards the renovation and maintenance of   Longridge.

 

Potholes – Mr. Spittle informed the meeting of an excellent web site on how  to make a claim etc.   www.potholes.co.uk

 

The meeting closed at 7pm with many thanks to Gordon Barker for hospitality and members were then invited to take a tour around Danesfield House.

 

 

Next meeting – Monday 15th March – venue to be advised.

 

 

 

 
 
Meeting 18th Jan 2010 PDF Print E-mail
Meetings

MINUTES OF BUSINESS MEETING HELD AT

“THE PLOUGH” PUBLIC HOUSE

MONDAY 18th JANUARY 2010 – 6pm

There were  39 members present.

 

1. The Vice President Annie Mulady. opened the meeting and wished everyone a Happy New Year. She then requested that all members encouraged other     businesses to join the Chamber in order to increase our voice in the  community but in particular to the varying Council bodies.

 

She then went on to introduce Samantha Bunni, Deputy manager of The Plough, who gave a brief introduction to the business.

 

2. The minutes of the last meeting were signed as a true record.

 

3. Sainsburys – Mr. Deriaz informed the meeting that the Sainsburys application had been recommended for approval but had to be ratified by the Council    Members. This meeting had been postponed due to snow conditions and was re-scheduled for 27th January. There were several issues to be addressed particularly those with regard to no additional parking spaces being proposed  and the Chamber had already made representation on this issue.

4. Late Night Shopping Event – the Vice President said that the feed back from the evening had been excellent and the evening was considered a great success with approximately 50 stalls. Many shops reported having had a successful evening with follow up visits from people both local and further afield.

 

With regard to Christmas lights, the Secretary would be having a meeting with WDC to determine the situation for next year in order that this year’s poor   display was not repeated.  She thanked all those who had donated towards next year’s lights and would keep everybody informed of the outcome of her        meeting.

 

The Chamber would be organising two more events during the year, similar to the Scarecrow Trail , which would encourage visitors to the town.

 

5.  Future Meetings – The Vice President asked for a show of hands as to the demand for a meeting with a rates expert. It was agreed that this would be arranged. The Vice President also requested offers from businesses to host  future business meetings.

 

6.  A.O.B.

Project Griffin – Inspector Wilks reminded members of the Awareness Day to be held  at Lane End on Thursday 4th February. £40 to include lunch etc.        Project Griffin was being held to make businesses more aware of civil emergencies and how to deal with situations. Anyone interested in attending       should contact Inspector Wilks or visit the Thames Valley Police web site.

 

General – Mr. Spittle asked that people be aware of:

  • Payments to Inland Revenue  on line must be before 31st January 2010
  • Anyone with a turnover of more than £100k are obliged to pay the VAT on line from March 2010
  • P35 payments must be paid on line from March 2010
  • Any PAYE late payment would incur interest as from April 2010

 

Newsletter – the Vice President asked for any editorial for the newsletter.  Members should contact her to discuss.

Retirement – Mr. Derek Done was retiring and the Chamber wished him well.  He thanked the Chamber for all their hard work.

 

The meeting closed at 6.30pm followed by the hospitality of “The Plough”.

 

Next meeting – February 15th 2010 – venue to be advised.
 
Meeting Monday 16Th November 2009 PDF Print E-mail
Meetings

MINUTES OF BUSINESS MEETING HELD AT

HARLEYFORD GOLF CLUB

MONDAY 16TH NOVEMBER 2009 – 6pm

 

There were 35 members present.

 

1.         The President welcomed everybody to the meeting and introduced Trevor  Collingwood of Harleyford Golf Club who gave a short presentation on the available at Harleyford  Mr. Collingwood confirmed that the Club to integrate more into Marlow than in the past and he himself to become more involved in the Marlow Chamber.

 

2.         Minutes of the September meeting (October was AGM) were signed as a true record.

 

3.         Sainsburys/Waitrose – There are no developments at present to the  Sainsburys/Waitrose applications although it is understood that Waitrose       may be staying at their present site until possibly May next year.  This is unconfirmed.

 

4.         Marlow Experience – The Vice President informed the meeting that 21 had signed up to the Marlow Experience which was designed to       encourage helpful and courteous service.  There had been training sessions and these would commence again in the New Year in the hope more          businesses would take part.

 

5.         Late Night Shopping Event  - The Secretary reported that all was going well for the Late Night Shopping Event to be held on Thursday 3rd December.  The Street and Causeway would be closed from 4pm  to allow setting up of etc. Inspector Wilks confirmed the police would be in attendance during    the evening.   With regard to Christmas light donations, there had been a report in the local requesting donations from companies and this was producing a  reasonable response. “Buy a bulb” collecting tins were still in varying and there would be a stall at the Late Night Shopping event in the that residents would donate towards the lights.  Members were also reminded that a carol service would be held at the Causeway from 6pm following which the Mayor would be switching on the  Christmas tree lights.  All members were invited to attend.

 

6.         Martins Matters – Mr. Spittle informed the meeting that it was now too late for  paper tax returns to be filed and encouraged members to make sure their returns were submitted to the Tax Office on line by 31st January 2010.

 

            Mr. Spittle went on to give details of the loss relief available for tax purposes  for the year ended 5th April 2009 and encouraged members to discuss this with their accountants together with details of the Working Tax Credit.

The pre budget report would be available on the 9th December.

 

Mr. Spittle also reminded members that the VAT would be increased to 17.5% on 1st January 2010 and encouraged the members to visit the HMRC web site    and refer to HMRC Guidance Note dated 23/10/2009. 

 

Details were given of a recent court case regarding employees health issues when sitting at a computer for a length of time. Members should be aware of their responsibilities as employers.

 

The  Valuation Office Agency (VOA) have issued notices to occupiers of  business premises of the Non Domestic Rates Valuation effective from            1/4/2010, but   assessed on rent values at 1/4/2008.  Businesses have until 30/11/2009 to notify the VOA of any discrepancies or inaccuracies of   assessment. Mr. Spittle suggested that anyone with a query should contact the VOA, as soon as possible,  to discuss the valuation.  It was a good idea to  compare the value of similar premises.  A web site to assist in this is  www.voa.gov.uk/2010.  It is not possible to lodge a formal appeal against the valuation until after 1/4/2010.

 

7.         A.O.B.

 Newsletter – The Vice President suggested any member who would like to be the featured business in the January issue, contact her as soon as possible.  A resume of approximately 300 words would be required.

 

Rates Meeting – The President requested a show of hands of those in favour of a special meeting to be held with a rating expert speaker. Several hands  were raised and this would be considered in the near future.

 The meeting closed at 6.40pm followed by networking..

 Hospitality was provided by Harleyford Golf Club and the President thanked Trevor Collingwood again for hosting  the meeting

 NO MEETING IN DECEMBER. 

NEXT MEETING – JANUARY 18TH –  VENUE TO BE ADVISED

 
 
MINUTES OF AGM MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 19TH OCTOBER 2009 PDF Print E-mail
Meetings

MINUTES OF AGM MEETING
HELD ON MONDAY 19TH OCTOBER 2009 6PM
AT THE CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL, MARLOW

 

Present: Mr. A. McCready (President); Ms. A. Mulady (Vice President); Mrs. Angela Aldridge (Treasurer); Mrs. J. Braybrooke (Secretary); Messrs. Bowater; Gandy; Spittle, Jolliffe, Deriaz; Braybrooke; Graham; Marlow; Gibson

 

Also present: Cllr.Bill Bendyshe-Brown(WDC); Cllr.Lesley Clarke(WDC), Karen Satterford(WDC); Alex Collingwood (WDC); Cllr. Neil Marshall;(Mayor MTC); Cllr. Roger Wilson;(MTC). Messrs. T.Collingwood; Done; Maishman; Evans; Laker; Churaman; O.Gibson; Blamey; Fitzpatrick; Hampton; Avery; Singh; Noel-Baker; Chescoe; Wyncoll; Mansell; Alliston; Pepperell;

Ms/Mrs: Bowater; Brown; Edwards; Crook; Singh; Chappell; McDonald; Miller; Tinsley

Also in attendance – James Nadal – Marlow Free Press

Apologies: Messrs. Burger; Child; Salter; Edwards; Wood; Ashcroft; Steuart; Godwin; Turner; Stagg; Scott; McGuire; Molony

1. OPENING - The President opened the meeting and thanked everybody for attending.

 

2.APOLOGIES - The Secretary read out the apologies

 

3.MINUTES - The minutes of 2008 AGM (already circulated – copies also available at meeting) were agreed and signed with two small amendments to attendees’ names.

 

4.PRESIDENT’S REPORT – The President gave his report giving details of the past year and thoughts for the future of the Chamber.

 

5. ADOPTION OF NEW RULES FOR CHAMBER

 Mr. Spittle brought to the attention of the meeting that there should be an amendment made to the Rules of the Chamber.

Clause 19b “certified by “Hon. Auditor” should be amended to “reviewed by independent qualified accountant”. This was due to changes in legislation in the world of accounting. Clause 4 relating to members of the Executive Committee should be amended to delete “Hon.Solicitor, and “Hon.Auditor”. The question of remuneration was raised by Mr. Pepperell and Mr. Spittle agreed that an Hon.Auditor would not be expected to charge a fee, but an independent qualified accountant would be expected to make a small charge.

The meeting agreed the amendments.

6.TREASURER’S REPORT

Mrs. Aldridge presented her report and accounts (which had already been circulated – copies also available at meeting)

 

7. ADOPTION OF ACCOUNTS - The Secretary called for adoption of the accounts which was proposed by Mr. Spittle and seconded by Mr. Gandy. Agreed

 

8.. ELECTION OF NEW CHAMBER OFFICERS – Having indicated their willingness to stand the following were elected:

 

President -
Mr. Andy McCready		 Proposed by Mr. Braybrooke

Seconded by Mr. Gandy
Vice President -
Ms. Annie Mulady		 Proposed by Mrs. Braybrooke

Seconded by Mr. McCready
Hon Treasurer -
Mrs. Angela Aldridge		 Proposed by Mrs. Braybrooke

Seconded by Mr. McCready

 

The Chain of Office was retained by Mr. McCready for a further year and Ms. Mulady retained the Vice President chain as she had been elected Vice President at a previous meeting and carried out the duties for the last 6 months.

 

9. ELECTION OF EXECUTIVE – The Secretary read out nominations for the Executive Committee . Proposed by Mr. McCready. Seconded by Ms. Mulady. Voted en bloc.

Mr. Richard Gandy Mr. Rod Braybrooke
Mr. Martin Spittle Mr. Tim Graham
Mr. Paul Deriaz Mr. Jon Child
Mr. Bernard Burger Mr. Adam Marlow
Mr. Geoff Jolliffe Mr. Tony Light
Mr. Lance Slater Mr. Simon Gibson

10. APPOINTMENT OF SECRETARY – Mrs. Braybrooke was proposed by Mr. McCready and seconded by Ms. Mulady. Agreed

 

11. ELECTION OF HON. MEMBERS – It was agreed to elect Mr.R.Waters (Marlow society) and , M.Shanly for one year.

Hon. Life members are: Mr. Bowater. Mr. Carlton and Mr. Coster

 

12. RE-APPOINTMENT HON. AUDITOR (to be referred to as “Independent Qualified Accountants” in future) – Seymour Taylor – Proposed by Mrs. Aldridge and seconded by Mrs. Braybrooke. Agreed

 

13. RE-APPOINT HON. SOLICITORS – Gordons - Proposed by Mr. Spittle and seconded by Mr. Gandy. Agreed.

 

14. APPLICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP – There were no new applications for membership at this meeting

 

15. AOB.

 

The President gave his thanks to the Executive Committee for last year who are volunteers and also his thanks to James Nadal from the Marlow Free Press for his coverage of Chamber matters. The Chamber had been quoted in the local paper on approximately 40 weeks out of the 52 weeks in the year.

The President gave congratulations to Marlow FM on obtaining their licence.

Mr. John Evans gave thanks to the Chamber for their support in helping to get the Marlow Museum “up and running”.

Mr. Hampton gave thanks to the Chamber for their support for the forthcoming Cycle Ride to be held in Marlow shortly.

Mrs. Braybrooke requested support from local businesses/residents for donations towards the Christmas Lights and the Late Night Shopping Event. Donation boxes were available in varying venues in the town.

Mrs. Braybrooke also gave details of the forthcoming “Charity Santa Fun Run” to be held on Sunday 6th December, organised by Rotary Clubs of Marlow and Marlow Thames.

Mr. Spittle proposed a vote of thanks on behalf of the Executive Committee to the officers of the Chamber for all their hard work during the year.

16. DATE OF NEXT AGM – 18th October 2010 – venue to be advised.

The meeting closed at 6.40pm.

Following the meeting the President presented Mr. Michael Bowater with an engraved vase with very grateful thanks for all his hard work over the years on the Executive Committee.

The meeting continued with generous hospitality provided by the Crowne Plaza Hotel
 
More Articles...
<< Start < Prev 1 2 3 4 Next > End >>

Page 3 of 4