Minutes of meeting held 3rd November 2008
Present – Sandy Brunton, Brendan Walsh, Jane Gordon, Joe Reade, Helen Wilson, Douglas Wilson, Minty MacKay, Michael Ackerely, Norman Quirk
Apologies – Derek Crook, Georgia O’Neill, Janna Greenhalgh, Mairi Lelievre
Sandy welcomed and thanked everyone for coming to the meeting.
New attendees introduced themselves and their businesses.
Minutes from October 08 and September 08 were passed as correct.
Proposed – Brendan Walsh Seconded – Michael Ackerely
Matters arising – PostComm - a significant change has been made in the transport of mail off the island. Mail will now go via Fishnish on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. During December mail will arrive on the first boat on Fridays.
Although this is an important first step, the pressure must be kept up to ensure our postal service is kept to a high standard of service pertinent to the island’s needs.
The Chamber is still awaiting a formal reply form Mr Nigel Stapleton, PostComm.
Keep Mull Moving – the continuing lack of action form KMM is concerning. The roads are in the worst ever condition. Although it was felt that KMM was the correct avenue to go down, a change in the way it tackles its campaigning and communication to the appropriate authorities needs to be more dynamic and forward going.
AP – the Chamber to come up with a letter to KMM on the future management of this ongoing problem. To be discussed at the next meeting.
The specific state of the roads was raised. The number of potholes has increased, roads not being repaired properly results in the edges collapsing in, verges not being cut back enough – are a few of the problems that the Council does not seem to have a maintainence plan for.
AP – Georgia and Jane to set up a web link from the Chamber’s website for people to photograph and report potholes, crumbling roads, inadequate repairs etc. A report will then be collated and sent to the Council.
Food Initiative – Sandy explained the thoughts of the Chamber on what ideas are being discussed with regard to food produced on the island.
Jane gave a round up of the current position and research that has already been done. (noted in previous minutes)
The Networking event in February 2008 was seen as a significant success in bringing producers together. It is hoped that a similar event will be held in January/February 2009 to develop ideas, such as distribution of food around the island and perhaps beyond, the branding of Mull products, encouraging more restaurants/ eateries to use Mull food and to make visitors more aware of the produce Mull and Iona has to offer.
AP – Jane –
v survey producers, suppliers and receivers as to what type of distribution service is required.
v contact Fergus Younger for information on funding
v invite appropriate guest speakers to the 2009 Networking event
v invite further Chamber members to next meeting to expand ideas
AP – Joe – to follow up with Eric Walton
President - Holiday Mull not planning on attending Expo 09.
Treasurer – Bank account - £4522.64 in credit
Any Other Business - Michael reported on the Ferry Committee.
No shows continue to be a considerable problem, CalMac are looking into whether this is due to errors being made at time of booking.
The new winter timetable was discussed and the idea of the ferry lying in Mull overnight to facilitate an early departure form Mull. It was agreed that this would benefit islanders and businesses wishing to work on the mainland.
Norman Quirk informed the Committee that CalMac has only one opportunity a year to discuss timetable changes with the Government. This is usually March/April time.
AP – an agenda item for next meeting.
NEXT MEETING 1ST DECEMBER 2008, ISLE OF MULL HOTEL, 8pm