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November 2025 members’ meeting minutes summary

Published on: Published in: News

Date: 26 November 2025

Market Harborough Chamber of Trade & Commerce
Meeting Minutes – Wednesday 26 November 2025
Apologies: Martin Robson, Nick Darlow.

1. Welcome & Introductions

  • The President welcomed members and guests, confirmed the agenda, and thanked attendees for their time and contributions.

  • Purpose of meeting: Review the new Budget’s impact on local businesses and discuss local retail crime prevention and reporting.

2. Presentation:  Tax Assist Accountants and Crown House Wealth Management and Financial Advisors

Speakers: Paul Simpson, Tax Assist Accountants and Tim Wright, Crown House Wealth Management and Financial Advisors 
Slides: Understanding the Budget: What It Means for Local Businesses 

Context & Headline Position

  • The Budget aims to raise around £26bn by 2029–30 to restore fiscal stability, largely through “stealth” measures rather than headline rate rises.

Key “Stealth Tax” Measures Highlighted

  • Frozen thresholds: Income Tax and NI thresholds frozen until 2030–31 (a de facto increase as wages rise).

  • Higher tax on wealth/income streams:

    • Dividends: +2p

    • Savings interest: 20% → 22% above the personal savings allowance

    • Property income: 20% → 22%

  • High-value homes: new Council Tax band for properties over £2m (approx. £7,500/year additional cost cited).

  • EV / hybrid road usage tax: proposed 3p/mile for EVs and 1.5p/mile for hybrids (collection method unclear).

  • Pensions: salary sacrifice contributions over £2,000/year subject to NI from April 2029.

  • ISAs: Cash ISA limit reduced £20k → £12k (except for those over 65), encouraging stock market investment.

Business-Facing Measures

  • Apprenticeship Levy: time to spend levy reduced to one year (from two) before Treasury reclaim.

  • SMEs: 5% contribution requirement for apprenticeships under 25 waived (making apprenticeships more accessible).

Practical Guidance for Members

  • Recommendation: businesses should plan proactively and review tax strategy early; reactive changes later are often less effective and more costly.

  • Members were encouraged to seek tailored advice depending on structure (sole trader/limited company), investments, property holdings, pensions, and workforce plans.

3. Leicestershire Police Update

Speaker: PC Blencowe (Harborough & Wigston NPA)

Retail Crime: Current Picture

  • Retail crime remains a significant challenge, with police resources stretched across competing priorities.

  • Police reiterated the importance of consistent reporting of all incidents, including “low value” thefts, to build patterns and improve outcomes.

OptiTech Retail Crime Initiative (launched August 2024)

  • A dedicated retail crime approach/unit (“OptiTech”) has secured 343 charges since launch.

  • Key dependency: success relies on businesses providing high-quality evidence quickly.

What “Good Evidence” Looks Like

  • Ideal: CCTV clearly showing entry → concealment/theft → exit without payment.

  • Minimum helpful standard: clear facial stills suitable for identification.

  • Police confirmed footage is circulated internally to identify offenders, including those traveling into the area.

Tools & Reporting

  • DISC App: helpful for sharing information between retailers, but does not replace reporting to the police.

  • Retail Crime Packs: available to support evidence capture, statement writing, and submission standards.

  • AI transcription (“Goodson”) is being used to reduce officer administration time by transcribing video statements.

Other Crime Issues Raised

  • Counterfeit money:

    • For larger sums: report to police.

    • For smaller amounts: contact the Bank of England directly for quicker processing/reimbursement routes (where applicable).

  • Money laundering: police act on intelligence, including from HMRC.

  • Anti-social behaviour: no significant increase reported; police will increase patrol visibility during the Christmas period in key areas.

Police actions/asks:

  • Businesses to report every incident and submit evidence in the recommended format.

  • Members encouraged to use the retail crime pack to standardise submissions and reduce delays.

4. Chamber Update

Speaker: Dr Gareth Thomas (President)

Media & Profile

  • A planned positive Daily Express feature was edited into a more provocative angle; despite this, it still generated strong attention and led to a BBC interview scheduled for 28.11.25.

New Chamber Initiatives (Volunteer Leads Needed)

  • Focus groups: volunteers requested to lead and shape:

    • Micro-business focus group

    • “Soul Trains” businesses focus group (local identity/community-led enterprises)

Skills Summit — January 2025 (in development)

  • Partnership intention with the Council to focus on skills, apprenticeships, and recruitment.

  • Aim to attract larger employers by hosting near Magna Park.

  • Planning currently informal due to the council by-election period.

North City South Consultation (anticipated January)

  • Chamber supports a more holistic approach to strengthen regional influence.

  • Members will be encouraged to respond once the central government consultation opens.

5. Update from Members & Networking Opportunities

  • Members shared general observations on cost pressures and the impact of frozen thresholds on staff and customers.
  • Several attendees discussed the need for improved retailer coordination on incident reporting and evidence capture.
  • Networking followed, with members encouraged to introduce themselves to new attendees and share upcoming offers/events.

6. Dates for the Diary

7. Presentation Slides

Please click here to view the Chamber November Slides which were shown to members during the meeting.

Get involved

Build relationships with local businesses at our next meeting.

Interested in presenting on your area of expertise or sharing member updates? We’d love to hear from you.

Next Chamber Members Meeting

Wednesday 28 January 2026
Arrival: from 5:00pm | Meeting: 5:30–7:00pm
Venue: Market Harborough Building Society, Newcombe House, 16 The Point, Market Harborough, LE16 7QU

All guests are welcome.

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