PRESENT:

Sandy Brunton, Tom Bettley, John Cable, Olive Brown, Georgia O’Neill, Alan Parker, Michael Ackerley

APOLOGIES:

Derek Crook, Jo Currie

MINUTES:

Minutes from meeting 4^th April proposed by Tom, seconded by Michael.

MATTERS ARISING:

Windsave

It is hoped that Windsave turbines will be in production by August.  Technical issues have to be resolved before the product is approved for grant assistance

WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS:

Public meeting being arranged by the Community Council does not have a set date yet.

A discussion took place following the answers received from Neil Brown to the list of questions sent by the Chamber.  <Sandy> will write to Alsitair MacDougall asking advice about the best way to approach this issue, find out when roads will next be discussed at the Council and find out about Council budgeting.  It was agreed that the Chamber should form a proposal to take to the public meeting later this month.  Olive suggested that parents should be involved due to the danger for children travelling to school.

MEMBERSHIP

Georgia asked Sandy to write a piece to go with the membership renewal letter.

TRAVEL SHOW

John reported on the show, citing special thanks to Alan McConnochie (the Elgin Marvel) for all his help on the stand and Jackie Hinge who not only helped out at the event but has been dealing with all the data that was collected as well.  John and Alan P both congratulated each other for being marvellous too. 

Now that funding is no longer available towards the cost of a stand, should the Chamber continue to attend the Expo?  A stand has been allocated for us at next year’s show (being held in Glasgow) and needs to be confirmed soon.  It was discussed that, if the Chamber does attend again, it would be wise to consider investing in the stand’s display.  <Georgia> will find out some prices for backdrops.

PRESIDENT:

Next meeting for the West of Scotland Chamber group 19^th May.  The board went over a questionnaire from the WOSCG which asked how the group could help us more.

Insular meeting 31^st May in Brussels

Scottish Islands Network newsletter included an article about  ‘Postwatch’ not receiving many complaints from islanders.  It was discussed and generally agreed that the postal service on Mull is very good so there is little need for complaint – but we should perhaps be reporting the positives to Postwatch more than the negative issues since our postal service may become less efficient as the Royal Mail gains more competition.

TREASURER:

Tom has donated Alan Mc’s gift money to his nominated charities.  The consultation fee for James Hilder’s work for assisting with the Chamber’s new constitution has been paid.

AOB:

Michael reported on the latest meeting of the Renewable Energy Forum.