PRESENT:

Sandy Brunton, Tom Bettley, Michael Ackerley, Georgia O’Neill, Alan Parker,

APOLOGIES:

John Cable, Derek Crook, Olive Brown, Jo Currie

MINUTES:

Minutes from September meeting amended to read: ‘AOCB: The Chamber’s half of the fee for next year’s Travel Expo (£1,000 + VAT ) is due this autumn.’  Minutes proposed by Tom, seconded by Alan.

MATTERS ARISING:

After much discussion, it was agreed that everyone should arrive at 7.45pm for Chamber meetings.

No progress report from Olive about contacting Moira Kerr of the Press & Journal

TRANSPORT:

ROADS:  Possible questions concerning the roads were discussed, in preparation for the visit of several of our MSPs next Friday.  The economic impact study of weight restrictions is going ahead.  An interminable debate then ensued about whether the roads topic was one whole issue (weight restrictions & disrepair) or separate issues.  Sandy stated that the Keep Mull Moving Campaign was dealing with the weight restrictions in the first instance but was also concerned with the wider issue or road maintenance.  John had received an email from Tiree Councillor Ian Gillies who has contacted Tavish Scott about rural roads.

CALMAC:  More questions for the MSPs visit were discussed, including a request for an update on the tendering process.  John has asked CalMac if the Summer timetable could be extended to cover English half-term.  CalMac have replied stating that they would not have enough time for refits if this were to happen. All present thought that the winter timetable was inadequate to meet the demand of travellers as winter sailings have become more frequently fully-booked.

TOURISM:

John has received information for members regarding new smoking regulations in B&Bs.

Volunteers need to be sought out for helping with next year’s Expo.  Help is need on the stand and also before and after the Expo to help with paperwork.  Sandy was concerned that there should be at least one Muileach at the Expo.

WINTER EVENTS:

Postwatch <Georgia> will email to see how many members would be interested.

Local Produce – Georgia suggested an event to promote the Local Food Forum.

Alternative Energy – An event to update everyone and discuss further Windsave & Biomass.

Other bodies available to make presentations are the Scottish Consumer Council & Capabilitiy Scotland.

PRESIDENT:

The Chamber has been invited to attend a meeting to initiate a local transport strategy for Argyll & Bute on Fri 18^th Nov.

Clan MacLean gathering – stalls are available at the gathering at Duart Castle, Sat 23^rd June 2007 at a cost of £50.  <Georgia>  will email members

TREASURER:

Tom reported a balance of £5,110.80  He has paid our half of the Expo bill for this year’s show.  Also received, a bill from MICT for ⅓ of the costs for the Renewable Energy Forum meeting.

Tom & Alan then had to leave the meeting.

WEBSITE:

Website in the process of being transferred to Calico.

SECRETARY:

Georgia had received a request from member David Gracie to advertise his business for sale.  It was agreed to put the advert on the Chamber’ s job vacancies webpage.