PRESENT:

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

APOLOGIES:

Olive Brown, John Cable, Derek Crook, Jo Currie, Alan Parker

MINUTES:

February’s minutes proposed by Sandy, seconded by Michael. 

MATTERS ARISING:

It was recognised that, with only 4 members present, the meeting was not quorate.  Any matters that required a vote would be postponed until the next meeting.

All action points from last month’s minutes had been dealt with.

POSTWATCH:

Only 11 people so far have booked for this event but there has been considerable interest from both members and non-members of the Chamber.

Georgia has drawn up a list of typical surcharges levied on customers in the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

AGM & ANNUAL DINNER:

MEP’s TOUR  The businesses that are to be visited during the MEP’s tour of the island prior to the dinner were discussed, including:  Inverlussa Mussel Farm; Highland Cottage; Sgriob Ruadh Farm; Island Bakery; Tobermory Fish Co.; Mull Butchers; Slaughterhouse.

RE_ELECTIONS     The re-election list for the AGM was drawn up, Joe Reade, Olive Brown and Tom Bettley will stand down.

AUDIT    Jo Currie organised R.A. Clements to complete the audit, which was presented to Tom.  <Sandy> will email the auditor with our approval of the accounts.  Those present approved the accounts and proposed that they be adopted as true at the AGM.  Thanks to Tom and Michael for all their work.

TRAVEL EXPO:

John sent an update by email.  Details will be finalized at the next meeting.

MARINE PARK:

The Chamber awaits with interest the announcement by Ross Finney about the chosen area for the park.

The Chamber has responded to an email from one of our members asking for support of the proposal that Mull becomes a Marine National Park.  See minutes Feb ’06.

WINDSAVE

To be discussed next month.

PRESIDENT:

Sandy asked <Georgia> to collect Chamber folders that are still held at the offices in the distillery.

A letter was received from George Lyon MSP outlining his request to Calmac that ferries be scheduled at 8am Craignure-Oban and 6pm Oban-Craignure to facilitate commuters from Mull to Oban.  He also requested to know the numbers of visitors that are turned away during the summer when ferries are fully booked.

Peter Timms, chairman of AIE has requested a list of commuters from Mull to Oban.

Regional Transport Strategy – Sandy attended meeting, he was the only one present to have also attended the Local Transport Strategy meeting.

WEBSITE:

Technical glitches since moving to Calico now seem to be resolved.

TREASURER:

Tom reported a balance of £4,219.33.  The audit all went smoothly – but Tom really needs his books back!!!!

AOCB: