PRESENT:

Sandy Brunton, Michael Ackerley, Tom Bettley, Derek Crook, John Cable, Alan Parker, Georgia O’Neill

APOLOGIES:

Olive Brown, Jenny Smith, Joe Reade 

MINUTES:

Minutes from meeting 6^th December proposed by Tom, seconded by Michael.

MATTERS ARISING:

Weight restrictions

It was discovered that Gleaner oil will not be exempt from road weight restrictions <John> will email councillor MacDougall to ask for clarification about what constitutes an ‘essential’ service.  Derek suggested asking Glasgow Chamber’s view and experiences of the effects of these rules.  <John> will contact Glasgow Chamber

Windsave

Derek is arranging for a representative from Windsave to attend an open meeting on Mull (proposed date:  Thurs 24^th Feb).  Arrangements for the meeting will be finalised at the next Chamber Board meeting, and the event publicised.  It was agreed that the Chamber would finance the hire of the hall and refreshments.  <Derek> will bring publicity posters for distribution to the next meeting.  It was agreed that publicity should emphasize ‘domestic’ wind power.

VisitScotland

John had received several replies from MSPs to his correspondence regarding the impending changeover of AILLST/VisitScotland.  He is still waiting for a reply from Tourism Minister Patricia Ferguson.  Arrangements for this year’s Travel Expo are uncertain due to the changeover.

CONSTITUTION:

The board had the opportunity to review the draft constitution.  A lengthy discussion took place about the quorum for General Meetings.  Derek proposed that the quorum should be 10, Alan seconded this and it was agreed by the board.  The document will now be made available for all members to comment on, their suggestions to be returned by 4^th Feb.  The draft will then be finalised at the next board meeting and a copy sent by post to all members before the AGM.  Thank’s to Derek for (his) punctuation; advice!!

ANNUAL DINNER:

The Annual Dinner will be held on the same date as the AGM, sometime in mid March.  <Derek> will enquire about after dinner speaker, possibly Green Party list MSP.  <Georgia> will enquire about prices for the Annual Dinner from Hotels in Dervaig.

PRESIDENT:

Sandy brought press clipping from the Press & Journal featuring his comments about how the scrapping of toll charges on the Skye Bridge might be detrimental to other island communities.  He had also received a request from Andy Jamieson (who is going to attempt to swim around Mull) for the Chamber’s assistance with funding/publicity.  It was decided that the Chamber would not be able to contribute financially to the sponsored swim but will be happy to promote the event within its membership.

WEBSITE:

Georgia had received some photos, with text to follow, from John Noddings for inclusion on the Chamber’s website.  The contribution was much appreciated.

TREASURER:

Tom reported a balance of £4996.02p.  John’s expenses for attending the VisitScotland meeting have been reimbursed.

SECRETARY:

Tom brought mail received during the month

AOB:

<Georgia> Will contact Debbie Lyndley about inspecting the Chamber’s accounts prior to the AGM