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MINUTES of Argyll Charter Boats Association AGM 28/04/09 at Soroba House Hotel 8.00pm

Present: Cameron Smith (CS), Douglas Lindsay (DL), Elaine Lauder (EL), Adrian Lauder (AL), Tony Hill (TH), Stephen Thomas (ST), Hannah Thompson (HT), Chris Lindesay (CL), Robert Kincaid (RK) and proxy votes for Ron Stevenson (RS).

Chairman Tony Hill welcomed all for attending.

Apologies: Colin Taylor, Roddy MacEachan, Chris Barrow, Duncan Baillie, Richard Leigh, Calum McMillan

Minutes of the previous meeting, written up by Roddy MacEachen, were agreed proposed by Elaine Lauder and seconded by Chris Lindesay.

Chairman's Report by Tony Hill:

Throughout 2008 and 2009 your committee has kept ACBA's profile prominent in a number of issues which whilst perhaps not high profile and attractive to undertake are essential if ACBA is to continue to be considered an umbrella association for the charter boats in Argyll.

Oban Bay Marine and the pontoon developments were broadly welcomed at last year's AGM. A donation was made and we offered to meet with OBM to present a view from our members. A short survey was undertaken which we forwarded but we have had no further response. We continue to support the development and as an organisation are disappointed the pontoons are not in situ. The work has been put out to tender. ACBA has asked for information on the works where members may be able to tender and benefit.

You may also recall the ladder at the North pier. Well done Robert for being persistent.

The MCA strike / work to rule caused concern to some members who were working in the more remote areas of the West Coast. Whilst sympathetic no real progress was made. The MCA continues to work to rule. A member expressed concern about inconsistencies between MCA surveyors who came aboard vessels during routine checks. There also seemed a greater requirement for paperwork. We asked the MCA if Bill Forsyth, who tends to oversee small boat inspections, could address this meeting. It was felt that many problems could be addressed with communication and prior knowledge. This has not proved possible to arrange.

Your committee and members have also attended a large number of meetings or are consulted on matters producing reports which Hannah places on the website. We would encourage members to attend local meetings and forward a report for inclusion on the ACBA website. Meetings attended include: Scottish Marine Bill, SSMEI Sound of Mull, Oban Bay Berthing, Argyll and Bute Council, Lismore seal management, WHAM, Oban Port Users and Wild Scotland.

ACBA's policy of involvement where necessary allows us to continue to keep a watching brief and remain informed. Where deemed appropriate we will also increase our involvement with issues where we believe members are affected.

This Chairman is indebted to the committee who burden much of the workload. Particular thanks must go to Robert whose efficiency puts me to shame. Hannah however deserves special mention. She freely offers time and guidance. Apart from the finances she is the point of contact when we are all away "playing with our boats". In particular she keeps us all up to speed with developments, is our eyes and ears over much of Argyll and works the magic of the website.

Accounts by Hannah Thompson.

ST queried subscription rates and additionally looking at the rules of membership. TH charged committee with looking at the membership rules prior to the next AGM. DL asked if the constitution required checking. AL wondered if ACBA should be an affiliated member of the Professional Boatmens Association?

All were asked what a revised membership fee should be. CL suggested a fee to cover costs but there are no known costs that are definite. RK mooted a fee every 2 years. TH suggested a fee of £20.00 pa and this was unanimously agreed.

Election of Office Bearers

HT to stand down and willing to be re-elected in the short term. Should have six on committee but presently only five as Rob Barrow stood down. Chair TH (prop AL seconded RK). Sec Robert Kincaid, Treasurer Hannah Thompson, Ordinary Chris Lindesay, Ordinary Stephen Thomas (all prop EL seconded by RS). New ordinary member Cameron Smith brings committee back up to six.

AOB  

EL explained the current situation at Oban Bay Marine, e.g. how the Council had £10m available but this was to be increased to £30m and as a consequence a new lot of paperwork had to be completed prior to getting any funds. All permissions are in place and it is expected to go ahead in the autumn. She noyed Oban is top of the list of towns for funding in Argyll. TH queried the timescale. This is unknown. ST asked if the money was ring-fenced and we were told it is. EL stressed there was no change to the project and it is all in place for 2009/2010. TH asked if local contractors could tender for the works? EL stated yes, this is the intention. Sinclair are to scrape / dredge the beach. EL said the OBM board are determined to get it going. AL pointed out that 95% of the UK's boats were in England and 5% in Scotland. TH reiterated ACBA's backing and support for OBM regarding this project.

AL told the meeting that the Dungallan pontoon is now in place with a 6m draft for vessels of up to 24m in length for a 30 minute stay. Water is available.

Meeting closed 2055