PRESENT : Alan Mc Connochie, Sandy Brunton, Michael Ackerley, Derek Crook, Alan Parker, John Cable, Georgia O’Neill, Olive Brown, Tom Bettley.

APOLOGIES : Jo Reade, Jenny Smith.

MINUTES : Minutes of the meeting on 1st March 2004 proposed by Michael and seconded by Sandy.

MATTERS ARISING : ARGYLL & BUTE LOCAL PLAN - Michael forwarded the Chamber’s response to Argyll and Bute Council and all present thanked Michael for his efforts.

TRAVEL SHOW - <GEORGIA> will e-mail members with info regarding displaying brochures etc. at the EXPO. The cost will be £20 to display. Alan P. will do the same to Holiday Mull.

CONSTITUTION - <MICHAEL, SANDY and GEORGIA> will act as a sub-committee and decide on changes required. <MICHAEL> will be the liaison officer.
PUBLICITY - All agreed the publicity generated by our AGM and Annual Dinner was excellent. Sandy - our man in the Ross - also appeared on the Lesley Riddoch show.

He also lived to tell the tale !

NATIONAL TRUST - <SANDY> is still working on a response to Iona and Staffa issues.

ISLAND FORUM - No update in Pat’s absence. <GEORGIA> will e-mail Pat regards any progress.

TRANSPORT STRATEGY - A general discussion followed Michael’s comments on the strategy produced by the Ferry Committee. Although the Chamber Board supports the Strategy in general several alterations were suggested and <MICHAEL> will take these to the Ferry Committee. Michael also reported that the Ferry Committee were requested to approve the ferry timetable for next winter and summer with only 24 hours notice. It was noted that the timetable was supplied by the Council and not Cal Mac.

MULL GREEN CHARTER - John gave a rundown on the Charter which is to encourage Green behaviour. The fee will be £20 to cover admin, etc. Meetings will be organised for later in the year but the Charter will be launched immediately. <JOHN> will organise a circular e-mail asap. A suggestion was that the name be changed to Mull Eco Charter.

FOCUS ON TRANSPORT - <DEREK> will issue his document for discussion at the next meeting.

PRESIDENT : Sandy advised that Insuleur will allow us to attend meetings and contribute as observers negating the need for us to pay membership fees. All agreed this was an excellent compromise. The Global Islands Network based on Skye have requested that Mull represent them at Insuleur meetings and they will assist with costs.

Sandy reported that the Scottish Islands Network next meeting would be held on Mull.

How best to advertise the Glasgow Chamber Newsletter - next meeting.

WEBSITE - <GEORGIA> will issue membership renewal info. Georgia reported server problems and suggested changing our Host when the contract ends. She also reported the job vacancy advert on the site is working well.

TREASURER - Tom reported a balance of £3225.55 in account. He also advised he is going on holiday for 5 weeks. The two items are not related - he says.

SECRETARY - Alan reported on correspondence received in the month.

AOCB -