ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
LOCHAWE VILLAGE
1. OPENING REMARKS
2. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
The Minutes of the
last meeting, on 20 February 2002, were taken as read.
3. FINANCIAL REPORT
Income for the year to 31 October 2003 was
£853.62. The income from the access
point has suffered for two reasons: the reduction in foreign visitors; the fact
that Loch Awe Hotel is not employing so many foreign students. Also the access point might become more
attractive once, hopefully, we get the speed of Broadband.
Total expenditure was £726.61. The estimated
expenditure for 2003–4 is £1065, of which £285 has already been paid for site
maintenance and web hosting. Outstanding income of £347 has now been reduced to
£94.
It was noted that at its last meeting the Committee
had decided that the 2004 maintenance fee be set at £32.50.
4. ELECTION OF OFFICE BEARERS
As there had been no retirements from the Committee
and no one had asked to have their names put up for election, a motion to
re-elect the Committee en bloc was passed by those present.
5. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
1. People who have not sent in any
alterations/updating to their sites should do so as soon as possible. Out of date sites do not look good.
2. We require new sites and new local information. If you know of anyone wanting to join, please
ask them to get in touch. Likewise with local news.
3. We have been suffering abuse of our guest book for
advertising by certain establishments within the area, and these are being
deleted on a regular basis. However, I am happy to say that most comments
continue to be very pleasing and appreciative of the site.
4. We have discovered a possible small additional source
of income through Amazon: LACWA is now an Amazon Associate and there is an
Amazon link on the home page of the website. I urge those present to encourage
friends/relations/acquaintances to use this link rather than going direct to
amazon.co.uk. LACWA will get a small percentage of any resulting sales.
5. The committee
has agreed that we should now try to update and safeguard our equipment
(VDU/modem, printer, fax, software) with all necessary safeguards. To cover the
cost involved we looked at obtaining a grant via the Scottish Executive, but it
was too rigid with regard to what you could do without penalty.
We are now looking at the Lottery,
which awards grants between £500 and £5,000. The application requires three
signatures (including the Chairman), and as the positions of LACWA Secretary
and Treasurer are held by one person it was necessary to appoint a third office
bearer. Jean Wylie agreed to serve as vice-chairperson.
There
is also a page to be filled in by an independent referee giving an appraisal of
the Association. I asked
6. Broadband: Dalmally exchange reached the 100
trigger level on 23 March this year and BT will hopefully announce a ready-for-service
date within the next few weeks. LACWA is applying for a £300 grant from HIE,
which would cover the first year’s rental, and this should go through with no
problem.
Ladies and Gentlemen, that is about it. But before
opening the floor to general discussion I would like to thank the Committee for
their assistance over the years and in particular
PRESENT: