PRESENT : Alan Mc Connochie, Michael Ackerley, Derek Crook, Sandy Brunton.

APOLOGIES : Olive Brown, Georgia O’Neill, Tom Bettley, David Gracie.

MINUTES : Minutes of the meeting on 6th January 2003 proposed by Sandy and seconded by Michael.

MATTERS ARISING : FERRY COMMITTEE - <MICHAEL> will raise the various Cal Mac topics discussed at the next Committee meeting. <MICHAEL> will prepare an article for the website on his contacts with the Scottish Chamber regarding integrated transport.

ROAD UPGRADE - Letters were sent to Councillors on the Argyll & Bute strategic policy committee seeking support for the Chamber campaign and all responses to date have been positive. <SANDY> will contact Alasdair regarding our next step. <SANDY> will have our original letter put on the website and also send a copy to Am Muileach.

TRAVEL FAIR - Alan reported on developments to date. The Chamber and Holiday Mull will share a stand and costs. Both organisations will invite members to display brochures at the stand for a small fee to offset some costs. Alan and Sandy will represent the Chamber as well as two from Holiday Mull and a rep. who will be attend from the Craignure Tourist office. The Chamber expenses will be kept to a minimum and <ALAN> will seek a donation from his company. A meeting with all concerned will take place in February.

ANNUAL DINNER - The Dinner will take place on the 28th March at the Highland Cottage Hotel with Bob Leitch of the Scottish Chamber as the Speaker. Costs, etc. will be advised asap.

HUSTINGS - <SANDY> will approach Duncan Hamilton MSP with a view to hosting a pre-election hustings.

PRESIDENT : Sandy announced that the Chamber AGM will take place prior to the April monthly meeting on the 7th April. <ALAN> will request that Georgia e-mail members with details. Sandy reported on correspondence received in the month.

COMM. TRUST UPDATE - No report in Pat’s absence.

WEBSITE - No update in Georgia‘s absence. It was suggested we show links to the Glasgow, Scottish and British Chambers as well as the Insuleur site. <GEORGIA>

TREASURER - Tom advised Alan the balance in account is £2721.11.

SECRETARY - Alan reported on the correspondence received in the month. Alan contacted the Licensing authority for details of the vocational courses that licensees are required to undertake. Courses can be organised on the Islands as long as minimum numbers can be guaranteed.<ALAN> will prepare an e-mail detailing prices, etc. to be sent to members.

AOCB - Derek updated the meeting as regards M.E.S.S. Funding for a two year contract is in place and interviewing for two posts is underway. Derek advised on other re-cycling initiatives and requested Chamber support for a letter regarding insurance premium problems voluntary bodies are encountering. All present agreed to support this worthy cause.