PRESENT:

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

APOLOGIES:

Michael Ackerley, Derek Crook

MINUTES:

Minutes from August meeting proposed by Tom, seconded by Sandy.  Sandy thanked John for taking the minutes.

ROADS:

John received a letter from George Lyon MSP stating that Argyll & Bute Council have not yet agreed to an Economic Impact Study but only agreed to consider such a study.  Sandy reported that at the last meeting for the ‘Keep Mull Moving’ campaign there was confusion as to what stage any impact was at.

The campaign petition will be completed and handed in at the end of September. 

A letter of thanks was received from Linda Cameron for the Chamber’s donation of £250 towards the campaign’s costs.  <Georgia> will email members to encourage signing the petition, noting that the Chamber has donated money.

It was discussed that the effects of road weight restrictions and general road conditions on the entire population of Mull was still not widely recognised, the emphasis has mainly been on farming & business.  Sandy recommended an article in the Press & Journal which laid out the full facts, which could be reproduced and circulated around Mull.  <Olive>  will contact the author of the article, Moira Kerr.

TOURISM:

John had written to James Fraser about information from VisitScotland only being sent to previous members of the tourist board.  John had suggested that now that VisitScotland was a non-membership body, information should be sent to all accommodation providers.  He is awaiting a reply.

Genealogical Gathering.  MICT is to act as an umbrella group for other Mull organizations and host a meeting to organize the Gathering next May 14^th –21^st.  The week will be comprised of island-wide events including meetings and ceilidhs.

WINTER MEETINGS:

It was discussed whether Chamber board meetings during the winter months could be held at an earlier time.  Sandy said he would be unable to attend meetings held any earlier than 8pm.

It was agreed that the meetings would continue to start at 8pm but that everyone should arrive earlier to start at 8pm prompt and end at 10pm.

Lunchtime events for winter.  Everyone was asked to think of potential subjects for winter events, to be discussed at the next meeting.  One idea was a presentation from Postwatch (see June minutes).

PRESIDENT:

Sandy reported on correspondence received including VisitScotland’s business plan summary.

Sandy asked Georgia (again!) for the updated Chamber letterhead.

Sandy reported on the meeting he had attended with the local health board.  The type of plane used for the air ambulance service is being changed and the new vehicle will be too big to land at Glenforsa.  Air ambulance services for Mull will have to be helicopter only, which costs four times as much.

WEBSITE:

Freezone invoice will be due in October, it was agreed that Georgia should look into other web hosts.

TREASURER:

Tom reported a balance of £5,405.98p

SECRETARY:

Scottish Chambers of Commerce National Directory updated, Georgia also updated the Chamber’s profile for the directory.  <Georgia> will email members as the directory publishers will be making advertising sales calls in the near future.

AOB:

The Chamber’s half of the fee for next year’s Travel Expo (£1,000 + VAT ) is due this autumn.