PRESENT:

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

APOLOGIES:

Olive Brown

MINUTES:

Novembers minutes proposed by Tom, seconded by Alan.

MATTERS ARISING:

John will ask Olive about contacting Moira Kerr of the Press & Journal

TRANSPORT:

All local authorities have been asked to produce a transport strategy and the Chamber was invited to contribute from the point of view of commerce and the economy.  Sandy & Michael attended a meeting about it in Lochgilphead, the strategy is due to be completed in May ’06. <Michael> will write a piece for press & website about the meeting’s results.

The remit of the economic impact study commissioned as a result of the weight restriction changes has been widened.  It will now include the effects that the general bad state of the roads has on our economy as well as the proposed restrictions.  There is still uncertainty regarding funding for the study.

Alan suggested asking Glasgow or Scottish Chambers of Commerce about the roads situation.  <Sandy>  will email the Scottish Chambers of Commerce

Calmac  Sandy has received a Calmac Christmas Card!

TOURISM:

Travel Expo  John has been working on a more professional display for next year’s show, producing example designs for banners.  <Sandy> will contact MICT about possibly contributing towards costs for display.  <John> will approach HWDT to ask permission to use some of their photos.

<Georgia> will email members asking for volunteers to help with admin for the Expo (<John> will email details).  <Sandy>   will ask Maureen at the Tourist Office if Abby Kirsop will be able to attend the show again.

MARINE PARK:

Following the MICT meeting at the beginning of November, John brought up the subject of Marine National Parks for discussion.  Chamber member David Woodhouse had also emailed to ask that the subject was discussed.  <John> will email info to board members for discussion at next meeting.

PRESIDENT:

Annual Dinner 2006 – venue & speaker to be decided.  <John>  will contact the Glenforsa.  <Sandy>  will contact MEP.

Winter Events   <Sandy> will contact Postwatch, it was agreed that February would be a good month to have the meeting – perhaps on a Wednesday.

WEBSITE:

Website now transferred to Calico, but not altogether successful due to technical problems.

Sandy suggested making more of the affiliation with Glasgow Chamber on our website.

SECRETARY:

Letter received from Argyll & Bute Council about proposed parking charges in Tobermory.  <Georgia>  will pass on the letter to Joe Reade and ask him to reply as he attended the public meeting in Tobermory about this issue.

TREASURER:

Tom reported a balance of £4,318.84p.  He is considering transferring the Chamber’s bank account to another bank.