MARLOW & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF TRADE & COMMERCE

 

 

MINUTES OF BUSINESS MEETING HELD AT

COMPLEAT ANGLER HOTEL

MONDAY 17^TH MAY 2010 – 6PM

 

There were  25 members present.

 

1.         Welcome by Andy McCready – President  of the Chamber.

Gaius Wyncoll – General Manager of the Compleat Angler Hotel gave a short presentation of the facilities and menus available at the Hotel.

 

2.         Minutes of last meeting – signed as a true record

 

3.         Bright Tomorrows - Francis White – “Bright Tomorrows” gave a short presentation on the work carried out by Bright Tomorrows which is a registered charity working to make a real and lasting difference for children in places such as Zimbabwe, India and Mozambique and Haiti. For more information www.brighttomorrows.org.uk

 

4.         Flower Beds – the Secretary informed the meeting that there were still some flower beds available for sponsorship. These are owned by the Marlow Chamber and it is important for the town that they are kept filled and attractive. She emphasised the benefit of sponsorship to businesses.  The beds available are:  2 x round beds outside Zizi’s restaurant - £200 each; 1 x bed outside Marlow Chemist - £390. and 1 x bed outside Dean St. car park - £460. all prices are plus VAT. Anyone wishing to sponsor a bed should contact the secretary on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

5.         Martins Matters

            Mr. Spittle included the following matters in his presentation:

 

Statutory sick pay - as from  6^th April 2010 is £79.15 per week. Statutory  Maternity and Paternity pay has been increased to £124.88.  Personnel on statutory maternity/paternity leave are allowed to work for 10 “Keeping in touch days” but can be self employed during that time.

 

Fixed Term contract – possible solution when a new employee is needed, but it is uncertain if the additional work will continue.

 

Vehicle Insurance - Employees who use their own car for business must have suitable insurance on their vehicle. However an Employer can take out an Occasional Business Use Insurance Policy.

 

Air conditioning – Rules for inspection depend on the capacity of the installation. For example existing installations over 12kw (about 2,000 square feet) must be inspected by 4^th January 2011.

 

VAT - paper returns and payments from 1^st April 2010 must arrive in time for the cheque to be cleared before the due date for the return. From 1^st April 2010 businesses with turnovers exceeding £100,000 p. a. must file returns online and pay electronically or by Giro slip at their own bank.

 

Personal Tax – a fixed penalty is expected to be implemented for 2010 Tax Returns not filed on time. This will no longer be mitigated if all tax due for the year has been paid on time.

 

Beneficial Loans – from 6^th April 2010 the official rate of interest on beneficial loans has been reduced from 4.75% to 4%.

 

Child care vouchers schemes – tax exemption is to be withdrawn for new schemes after 5^th April 2011.

 

 

6.         A.O.B.

            Wycombe Economic Summit  - Annie Mulady (Vice President) had attended  a very interesting Wycombe Economic Summit meeting. The next meeting was scheduled for Thursday 10^th June 10.30 – 2.00pm.  She would be willing to book people in for this event if they wished to contact her. E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

            Newsletter - Annie Mulady informed the meeting that the newsletter would not be appearing on the web site for a while but articles would be updated all the time. She welcomed articles from any member and also if they would like to be featured as “Business of the Month”

 

            Music Licence - The President brought to the attention of the meeting a leaflet “Why do I need a music licence – a guide for business”   For more information  e-mail:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or web site  musicworksforyou.com

 

The meeting closed at 6.45pm followed by the kind hospitality of the Compleat Angler Hotel on the balcony overlooking the river.