MINUTES OF BUSINESS MEETING HELD AT
LIVING IN STORE, WEST STREET, MARLOW
MONDAY 19th SEPTEMBER 2011

President - Ms. Annie Mulady
Secretary – Jo Braybrooke; Treasurer - Mark Alliston

There were 25 members present.

1 Welcome – The meeting began with a welcome from the President and a short presentation from Sally Abram (the proprietor of Living In Store) who gave details of the opportunities the store had to offer.

Town Strategy – The Chamber are continuing the battle to obtain a Town Strategy.

Christmas Lights and Late Night Shopping - the date for this year’s Late Night Shopping Event is Thursday 8th December 2011. The Secretary had had a meeting with Marlow Town Council and a prospective supplier for new lights and hopefully more definite news on this would be available at the next meeting.

Flower Beds – Sponsorship was desperately required for the flower beds in the town. The President urged members to think about sponsoring one of them ( there are 3 available) as these do make the town attractive. Contact the Secretary for more details – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Recruitment – the recruitment drive had resulted in three new members:

Cloud Magic
Dun & Bradstreet
Prince of Wales public house

The President reminded everyone of the increase in membership subscription to £75 per year. She reiterated the fact that it was the member’s Chamber and you “get out what you put in”.

Web site – The President pointed out that the web site had been slow in being updated but was now well on track and there was a huge improvement already.

Newsletter – the President requested any articles/input for the newsletter. Please contact her on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Planning Application – 9 Dean Street. The rear of the site would be taken up by Saddle Safari and the offices at the front were to be made into 2 bedroom flats. The Chamber had given their support.

Forthcoming Meetings:

Monday May 16th - 6pm – Compleat Angler

Monday June 20th – 6pm – Burgers Tea Rooms

2 Presentation

The President introduced Franco Degan of Sandler Training who distributed a leaflet “Creating an Introduction That Makes People Want to Talk to You”. He then gave an interactive presentation which was well received by members. For more details visit: www.chilterns.sandler.com

3 Chamber Updates

The President welcomed Jo Jennings of Drive Smarter, Stuart Bower of Cirrus Software and Darren Kirkham – Manager of Waitrose, to their first Chamber meeting.

Window Stickers – The reprinted Chamber of Commerce window stickers would be available for distribution at the AGM in October.

Christmas Lights – the Secretary reported that it was unlikely that new Christmas lights would be available for this year. However the Late Night Shopping Event (Thursday 8th December) was progressing well with some new ideas.

Web Site - this was much improved and the President thanked Tony Thornby for his hard work. A sub committee was being set up to continue with enhancements, which would make the web site even more useful to members.

AGM – the President informed the meeting that she would be standing for election again as President for the next year but if anyone also wished to put their name forward they should inform the Secretary. An e-mail would be sent to members offering the opportunity for anyone who wished to stand for any of the Executive positions.

Roadworks – the President mentioned the lack of “joined up” thinking by Bucks County Council having the road works and the bridge works taking place at the same time. The signage was poor and gave the impression that the whole of Marlow was closed at certain times which was not good for business. The Chamber had taken this up with Bucks CC.

Parking – The results of the SPA consultation had not been forthcoming and the Chamber was continuing to liaise with a councillor at Marlow Town Council and would inform members when the results were known.

Chamber newsletter – would be on the web site shortly.

4 Planning Updates – Paul Deriaz:

Mr. Deriaz informed the meeting that another set of documents were available on Site Policies for consultation from 3rd September – 14th October. The new localism bill devolved more power to the people.

a). Primary and Secondary frontage – Wycombe District Council wished to keep the status quo ie 70% of frontage is A1 shops for primary frontage. Secondary area frontage is 40%. Planners feel that the level should not be eroded anymore.

The comment from the floor – How does WDC stand on the A1 enforcement. It was agreed that the Chamber should keep reiterating their concerns on this issue.

b). Riley road site – members were asked if they felt this should be retail and residential as opposed to offices. What would members want to encourage on the site.

Comment – It was felt that there was no more capacity for food retailing and WDC should stick to principle on supplementary document. Concern was also noted regarding reduction in car parking spaces over the years.

c) Portland site – Proposed on the plan – residential use – 70 dwellings including 40% affordable housing in a design to compliment the heritage of Marlow. There would be a new link road linking Pound Lane to West Street. There would also be good quality cycle and pedestrian links to High St. with landscaping and made to look good.

Comment – It was agreed that the policy of affordable housing could not be questioned although some of Marlow Town councillors were against it. Affordable housing could be only affordable the first time and then resale prices could go up. Did the link road mean loss of more car parking spaces? Would car parking be repositioned somewhere else? Why did John Lewis not get on with the development?

d) Liston Road Site – suggestion in policy for more residential units on the site.

Comment – How would this happen without losing more car parking spaces. Suggestion of decked car parking. Marlow Town Council going to push for underground car park.

Mr. Deriaz asked that any comments be sent to him asap in order that the matter could be discussed at the next Executive meeting and a letter, giving the member’s views, sent to Wycombe District Council before the end of the consultation.
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

5 Martins Matters –

Business Rates – First floor premises standard rating valuation reduction was now withdrawn and they would now equal valuation of ground floor. The 2nd floor rateable value reduction would stay the same. The Valuation Office was now looking into appeals made in 2010.

Income Tax - Paper tax returns must be filed by 31st October 2011 – on line returns by 31st January 2012. Special extended time limits for tax payers who’s unique tax payer reference ends with digit 70-99 to pay 2010/2011 second instalment expires on the 27th September 2011.

Corporation Tax returns - now have to be filed on line but for accounting periods ending after March 2011 unable to access this facility until October.

Annual Investment Allowance – Mr. Spittle advised speaking to your adviser regarding expenditure during the transitional period of the reduction of annual investment allowances from £100,000 to £25,000 from April 2012

Government Compensation – Amount to be paid to Equitable Life policy holders will be disregarded for tax purposes.

VAT on Fast food Outlets – Mr. Spittle reported HMRC have formed specialist teams to visit fast food outlets to ensure VAT correctly charged on sales.

Health – Mr. Spittle had read that pomegranate juice was good for lowering blood pressure and reducing stress – it had not worked for him!

There being no further business the President closed the meeting at 7.20pm with thanks to the speakers
and to Living In Store for the hospitality and encouraged everyone to network and take a look around the store.

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