Present: Ian Carradice (St Andrews, Convenor), Neil Curtis (Aberdeen, Secretary), Ross Hayworth (Robert Gordon University), Matthew Jarron (Dundee), Dawn Kemp (Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh), Jacky MacBeath (Edinburgh), Evelyn Silber (Glasgow), Ewen Smith (Glasgow), Peter Trowles (Glasgow School of Art)

1. Apologies
Jane Cameron (Stirling)

2. Approval of minutes of committee meeting on 13th April 2005
The minutes were approved

3. Matters arising
4. UMIS Conference 2004
It was noted that web publication of the proceedings was expected by the end of the year.

4. Treasurer's report
The report for the AGM was discussed, with the cost of the conference noted as having been as expected, modest and a worthwhile use of funds. The Committee agreed to recommend to the AGM that the annual subscription remain unchanged at £50.

5. Committee election
Having served two 3-year terms, Ian Carradice reported his intention to step down as Convenor. He proposed that Evelyn Silber be proposed as Convener for 2005-8, which was unanimously welcomed. The other office bearers were willing to continue in post. The committee thanked Ian for his work as Convenor over a very busy six years.

6. Arrangements for AGM
The Convenor's report was discussed, while it was agreed that Evelyn Silber would lead a discussion of current issues of concern to UMIS members.

7. AOB
1. The extension of VAT relief to university museums was discussed, with it being noted that St Andrews was appealing against exclusion from the list. It was also noted that inclusion in that list was being used as a surrogate for the list of designated museums in England & Wales which was being referred to by discussion on the Hague Convention.

2. The on-going discussions about repatriations to Australia and New Zealand were noted, also the SMC Working Party on Human Remains of which Dawn Kemp and Neil Curtis are members. This is expected to produce guidance for Scottish museums on the treatment of human remains during 2006.

3. The work of the SMC Collections Development Strategy Working Group, of which Eveyn Silber is a member, was also noted.

4. The success of the RCSEd-led 'Scotland and Medicine' SRDG project was noted - also the difficulties of other partnership projects in the same scheme.

5. The lack of a positive response to the Cultural Commission report was discussed

6. The potential for collaboration between university museums and the National Museums of Scotland was discussed, with members intending to participate in the forthcoming meetings and having direct contact with NMS staff who are considering this issue. There was discussion of the importance that links between NMS and universities should focus on university museums wherever possible, rather than being solely a link with academic researchers in universities.

9. Date of next meeting
No date was set, but it was agreed to hold a meeting in late January.

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