PRESENT:

Sandy Brunton, Michael Ackerley, Tom Bettley, Derek Crook

APOLOGIES:

Barry Morley, Georgia O’Neill

MINUTES:

Minutes of the last meeting: proposed by Michael and seconded by Tom that the minutes of the last meeting be recommended for approval at the next meeting.

MARINE PARK:

Sandy raised the question as to whether, if a marine national Park were created, our transport and accommodation facilities could cope without further investment. It was agreed that the next meeting be largely devoted to a “brainstorming” session on transport as a way ultimately to producing a cohesive and comprehensive report for circulation to members.

In addition those present agreed each to research the background of Douglas Alexander MP, the Secretary for Scottish Affairs and the Westminster minister responsible for transport. Although transport is a devolved matter it was felt that there might be some useful purpose in contacting an MP who has a holiday home on the island.  It was noted that Sandy had already bent his ear and had been listened to sympathetically.

CAMPER VANS:

The police have stated that they are not aware of any problems with camper vans over-nighting in passing places and other unsuitable sites. This does not accord with our own observations and all members are to be asked to forward any such problems to John at chamber@isle-of-mull.demon.uk 

Letter to A&B

( see last minutes) No information in the absence of the Secretary.

WEBSITE:

No information

TREASURER:

Tom reported a balance of the £3724.57

SALEN ROAD

Michael reported that he had attended a public meeting at Salen that was generally hostile to the current proposals by A&B and had demanded a by-pass for the village. The Project Manager for the proposed action pointed out that:

The cost of a by-pass would be completely beyond any anticipated budget

There were other villages in Argyll that had an even greater need of a by-pass even if money were available.

The proposed traffic light system worked well in places with similar problems e.g Minard

He advised the meeting that if they were set on a by-pass they would probably have to raise the money themselves and that it was unlikely they could do so before work started.

Michael further noted that as far as he could see there were no Salen traders at the meeting.

In the light of the Traffic Manager’s reported remarks this Chamber of Commerce meeting decided that though the current proposals were not ideal, the necessity for upgrading the Salen to Tobermory road was so important for the business life of the island that they were the best available option and that the Chamber would not support a demand for a by-pass.

POST OFFICE:

Pricing in Proportion.  Sandy demonstrated the equipment that all Post Offices will be using from the middle of August to assess postal charges on any inland letter. Charges will be determined by a combination of size, weight and thickness.  It was noted that in some cases postal charges would increase and in other decrease. Businesses could obtain a cardboard version of the apparatus to assess the most appropriate combination for their needs and the sturdier version in plastic was available for about £21.00 plus vat