1. WELCOME:

Rod Nicholson welcomed all

2. PRESENT:

Sidney & Bryan Maguire (Beach & Putter), Rod & Jeannette Nicholson (Oaklands Lodge), Terry Micholson (Family & Friends), Leonie Heere (Palm breeze B&B), Cheryl Violante (The Tides Inn), Pat & Jan Brown (47 on Marine),Geoff & Annabel Gilzean (Beach Getaway), Irene Klopper (Nicorene), Marco di Guilio (The Whale’s Tale); Nothemba (Beach Belle); Helga du Preez (Ocean Blue)

APOLOGIES: Elise (Oceans 4).

4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES:

• MUNICIPAL RATE ISSUES: Rod informed members that at a meeting with NAA it had been made clear that B&B’s would be classified as businesses. He urged all members to make sure they were licensed and compliant and advised they should apply to have their water and light accounts to reflect the same. It did not appear to happen automatically with the granting of the licence. All Members.

3. ACCEPTANCE OF PREVIOUS MINUTES:

Proposed: G. Gilzean; Seconded: B Maguire.

5. TREASURER’S REPORT:

• Sidney reported we had R18569.03 in the bank and thanked those who had already paid their subscriptions.
• Geoff Gilzean proposed that since this amount seemed to be growing monthly, some should be used to pay for advertising.

6. SAFETY & SECURITY: Jeannette asked if any member would have an objection if she forwarded their email addresses to Rake Jeeves so that he could keep them informed regarding the CSO (Community Safety Organisation). There were no objections. JN

7. GENERAL:

7.1. MATTERS PERTINENT TO DAILY TRADING:

• Power outages: Though these were supposed to have ceased, there had been two in the past week. Jeannette reported that they had, had to replace an Mnet decoder. It had been in “stand by” mode but the surge of power when it came back on had blown the decoder. According to the Mnet centre in Umhlanga this was a frequent occurrence and they could not supply a new one. Nor could Makro and such places. DVD players and TV sets were all at risk and Bryan advised all members to ensure that such equipment was surge protected.
• Candles and oil lamps: These were potentially hazardous. Bryan had bought some LED lamps at Makro (R99.00 each). They were very effective and could also be used as a night light. Marco reported that he had acquired a very useful LED torch which worked when one shook it. Anyone who wanted to get one should speak to him. The advantage of LED was that it lasted far longer than batteries. Members were warned against buying the fluorescent types as they often had globes which could not be replaced (especially, those imported from China).

7.2. Report back on the Blue Flag Meeting: Jeannette and Rod had gone to this but Mike Sutcliffe had refused entry to any non Business Chamber of Commerce members. However, some other NAA members had remained and reported that he was not particularly concerned regarding the lost status and blamed the water problems on Apartheid and informal settlements.

7.2. Developments with the Rates crisis: Rod explained that there had been two recent meetings with NAA and in some cases, municipal representatives regarding the rate hike. As a result of one of these, Mike Sutcliffe had invited NAA to put forward a proposal for the B&B industry. This had been done in consultation with FEDHASA as the latter enjoyed much more clout with the municipality. Bryan intimated that he had attended one of the meetings and had learnt that through a similar negotiation under the FEDHASA banner, Ballito had negotiated a considerable rebate from their exorbitant rates.The proposal that has been sent had been simplified from the original document which had defined the various types of establishments. The latter could be clarified at a later stage. B&B’s, self catering establishments etc. had been loosely defined as “accommodation establishments”. The good news was that the pensioner rebate of R400000.00 regardless of whether the pensioner worked or not appeared to have been granted.

7.3. Advertising in Brabys: Rod and Jeannette had been approached to advertise with Brabys. The representative had offered the association 12 spaces on the Brabys’ B&B”s of Durban brochure. There were to be 30000 printed and distributed via Durban Africa, TKZN, East Coast Radio et al.Each space would cost the member R1500.00. Rod asked those who were interested to contact him by the following Monday to secure a space.

It was also decided that the association should be listed on the Electronic Brabys Directory. The cost (R3200.00) of this would be borne by the association. A link on this would drive prospective guests back to the DBAA website and their own web page. It would also allow us to use the Brabys’ map without infringing copyright.

7.4. Labour Bureau and Workman’s Compensation: The Labour Bureau had done a blitz on registered B&B’s at the start of the week checking on both UIF and workman’s compensation registrations. Rod had asked why they only targeted the licensed and registered people who displayed signs. They had requested a list of those operatives who did not display signs. Rod said he would email this to them. R.N.

Jeannette reminded members that employees were supposed to get an increase shortly. NAA had just this week sent the relevant wage structure information.

7.5. Staff Development Courses: Rod mentioned that FEDHASA ran training courses for Staff but often these had been fully subscribed to before the information had been forwarded to us. He had been in contact with Warren Ozard of FEDHASA and he had said that one of their ex employees had gone on his own and suggested we approach him to present the course to the Bluff. Members were interested but requested to know the duration, curriculum and cost to them. Rod undertook to find out but asked that members communicate possible numbers to him. Terry suggested that the cost might be based on the number. He also wanted to know the curriculum before he made any commitment to send employees. Bryan said he had sent an employee for training and could recommend it. If they attended in Westville the employer had to get them to the Royal Hotel whence they were taken to Westville. This arrangement may well have changed since the Westville Hotel was now a Chef training school. More information was required. R.N.

8. NEW MATTERS:

NAA membership: All non members of NAA were urged to join NAA. There were numerous benefits to be had. NAA forwarded information to its members regarding developments within the industry, discounts when negotiating credit card facilities, discounted licences on TVs, discounts on purchases made at Hirsh etc. Apparently it had been rumoured that TKZN is insisting that all B&B owners join NAA. As a member we are also affiliated to FEDHASA who had esteem in higher places as they represented hoteliers.

Fire Damages and Insurance claims: Lynn Easton (Afscot) had sent an email urging all establishment owners to ensure that they would be insured in the event of a fire breaking out. It was imperative that installations are done by a qualified electrician. Legal establishments would have the necessary compliance certificates and fire extinguishers.

Guests should be told how to evacuate in the case of a fire breaking out. They should also be warned against using carpets etc. to iron on. They had recently had to deal with numerous claims of this nature.

Fraudulent traders: Afscot had also warned that two charming gentlemen were doing the rounds of B&Bs purporting to be sign writers. They called their business ”Insane Signage” They take cash with order and disappear.

Membership certificates: These were handed out to those members who had paid their subscriptions prior to the meeting. Those who had paid at the meeting would soon receive theirs. All members were invited to pay their subscriptions as soon as possible. Members were also asked to make sure they displayed their credentials in their offices or reception areas,

There being no further matters to discuss, the meeting closed at 12.45 p.m.

Congratulations: The 100 Club was won by Helga du Preez.