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COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE |
Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Wednesday, 1 October 2003 at 11.00am
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PRESENT |
Mr Donald Manford (Chairman) |
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Mr Ronald J Mackinnon (Vice-Chairman) |
Mr Neil Campbell |
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Mr John Mackay |
Mr Angus Campbell |
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Mr Roderick Morrison |
Mr Donald J Macsween |
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Mr Alex A Macdonald |
Mr Alexander M Mackintosh |
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Mr Norman A Macdonald |
Mr Donald Maclean |
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Mr Angus M Graham |
Mr Martin C Taylor |
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Mr Malcolm J Graham |
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APOLOGIES |
Mr Donald Macdonald |
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CONSTITUTION |
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Integrated Bus Services Sub-Committee T01.02 |
4 |
The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report seeking the establishment of a Sub-Committee to award the contracts in respect of integrated bus services. All bus contracts currently operating in the Western Isles would terminate at the end of March 2004 and the tender process for the new contracts was underway. The remit of the Sub-Committee would be to consider the outcome of the tendering process and award the contracts. The Committee was invited to appoint two Members to serve on the Sub-Committee.
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It was agreed:
(1) to appoint the Chairman and Vice-Chairman to serve on the Integrated Bus Services Sub-Committee; and
(2) to recommend that the remit of the Integrated Bus Services Sub-Committee be as detailed in the Report.
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OUTSIDE BODIES |
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Invitation to External Speakers T01.04 |
5 |
The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report seeking authority to invite external speakers to address the Committee on transport issues.
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It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services be authorised to invite a range of external speakers to address the Transportation Committee on transport matters. |
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AIR SERVICES |
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It was agreed that the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item on the grounds that exempt information as defined in Paragraph 6 of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 would be disclosed, namely, information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person, other than the Comhairle.
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Proposal by Highland Airways T04.02 |
6 |
The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing proposals from Highland Airways to operate a new Glasgow to Benbecula service. Highland Airways have requested that the departure time for the inter-Island service from Stornoway to Benbecula be altered to 0845hrs to accommodate the proposed service.
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It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle:
(1) note the proposed introduction of the new service by Highland Airways;
(2) approve the change in departure time for the Inter-Island service for Stornoway to Benbecula to 0845, subject to the Director of Finance being satisfied that to do so would not have an adverse effect on Highland Airways’ ability to deliver the Stornoway to Benbecula service; and
(3) approve the proposed Christmas arrangements detailed in the Report, subject to the appropriate reduction in subsidy being agreed and Royal Mail being satisfied with the arrangements.
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FERRY SERVICES |
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Future Ferry Users Consultation and RET T06.03 |
7 |
With reference to Item 8 of the Minute of Meeting of the Comhairle of 4 September 2003, the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the current position in relation to Ferry Users Consultative Committees and Road Equivalent Tariff.
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It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle adopt, as a Policy and as a Key Task, the following:
(1) that the Comhairle promote the introduction of a system of Road Equivalent Tariff on all ferry routes to, from and within the Western Isles, prior to the tendering arrangements for the new ferry services being finalised;
(2) that this action is necessary in light of the escalating ferry charges and the detrimental effect they have on the economy of the Western Isles;
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(3) that the Comhairle institutes and leads a campaign to achieve our goal of RET and in so doing, seeks the support and involvement of Community Councils, including HIE and other interested groups in that course of action;
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(4) in light of their manifesto commitments to reduce ferry costs to the Islands, that the Comhairle seeks the active support of our MP and MSP and aim to achieve this goal within the current term of the Comhairle; and
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(5) the Comhairle notes with concern, the latest fare increases and the inadequacy of the service provided to the Islands.
Arising from consideration of this matter, it was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services submit a Report, to the next Meeting, detailing the proposed action plan for the campaign.
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Interim Loch Roag Zoning Plan – (ICZM) T07.04 |
8 |
The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing a proposed Interim Zoning Plan for Loch Roag. The Zoning Plan identified areas that should remain undeveloped in order to protect navigable channels and safe haven anchorages and in doing so, to comply with the requirements of the Port Marine Safety Code to minimise navigational risk in the approaches to Comhairle ports.
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It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle adopt the Interim Loch Roag Zoning Plan as a measure to provide unrestricted access to its ports in Loch Roag and thereby be proactive in reducing navigational risk in compliance with the Port Marine Safety Code.
Arising from consideration of this item, it was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services submit a Report to a future Meeting, clarifying whether the Comhairle had powers to licence developments within Harbour Order areas.
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Sale of Comhairle Vehicular Ferries T06.02 |
9 |
The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report informing the Committee of the sale of the two Comhairle vehicular ferries, Eilean na H-Oige and Eilean Bhearnaraigh which were surplus to requirements, following the introduction of the new ferry service for the Sound of Barra.
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It was agreed to recommend that the Report be noted.
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ROAD SERVICES |
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Inter-Island and Barra Bus Services T05.01 |
10 |
The Director of Technical Services gave an oral report on the current situation in relation to inter-Island and Barra bus services.
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It was agreed to recommend that:
(1) the Director of Technical Services, in consultation with the local Member and Vice-Convener, be authorised to determine timetable revisions for Barra bus services prior to tendering; and
(2) the Route Development Plan budget for public transport be examined as an option for providing dedicated transport links to the Inter-Island ferry services.
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ROADS |
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Winter Maintenance Plan 2003/2004 T08.05 |
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The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the Winter Maintenance Plan for 2003/2004. The Report indicated that there were no significant changes from the previous Winter Maintenance Plan and the sum of £1,307,827 had been allocated in the Revenue Budget for implementation of the Plan.
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It was agreed to recommend approval of the Winter Maintenance Plan 2003-2004.
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Acceleration of Footpath and Minor Road Safety Improvements Programme T08.05 |
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The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report seeking approval to undertake Priority 4 Schemes for footpaths on main roads and side roads. The proposed acceleration would allow preparatory work to be undertaken on the Footpaths Programme to enable the schemes to be undertaken early in the following financial year, whilst a new priority list was being developed.
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It was agreed to recommend approval of the Priority 4 Schemes for Footpaths on Main Roads and Side Roads as detailed in the Report.
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Road Strengthening Works T08.05 |
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The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing those sections of the road network which had been programmed for road strengthening following the allocation of £500K in the Capital Programme for 2003/04.
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It was agreed to recommend that the programme of road strengthening as detailed in Appendix 1 of the Report be noted.
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Public Lighting System Review T12.63 |
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The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report reviewing the Comhairle’s public lighting system. A Service Level Agreement had been entered into with the Commercial Operations Unit and the agreement would be reviewed after one year’s operation.
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It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle:
(1) note that the Service Level Agreement with the Commercial Operations Unit will be reviewed after one year’s operation;
(2) approve the policy framework enclosed in Appendix 1 of the Report, with a view to the finalised policy being considered by April 2004; and
(3) note that an APER has been prepared to provide energy for lighting through the Community Energy Initiative and that this could provide a mechanism to allow additional amenity lighting to be provided through the Ward Priority Fund on the basis that the energy requirement is provided by alternative or renewable means.
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Traffic Calming and Road Humps T09.04 |
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The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report outlining the current legislation associated with the implementation of traffic calming measures and road humps. The Report detailed the levels of consultation required prior to the introduction of any road humps, the range of locations where humps could be located and the obligatory traffic signs which must accompany any such scheme.
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It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle:
(1) note that legislation is associated with road humps and other traffic calming measures which restricts the Roads Authority in the location and type of measures which can be implemented;
(2) undertake an audit of all current road hump schemes and submit a Report to a future meeting of the Committee; and
(3) approve that a Seminar on the implementation of traffic calming measures be held, following completion of the audit.
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Request for a 30mph Speed Limit at Clachan, North Uist T09.03 |
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The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report in respect of a request for a 30mph speed limit at Clachan, North Uist. The outcome of a traffic speed survey was detailed and the Report indicated that the road alignment at the location was not of a good standard and there was a junction that offered limited visibility.
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It was agreed to recommend that, in light of the engineering aspects that affect the request and the survey data detailed in the Report, the Comhairle agree to:
(1) the implementation of a 30mph speed limit at Clachan, North Uist; and
(2) the speed limit being reviewed, whenever the section of road was improved.
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PERFORMANCE REVIEW |
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Reports Outstanding: Progress PR33.01.12 |
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The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report detailing the Reports Outstanding arising from decisions of the Committee.
It was agreed to recommend that the Report be noted.
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ADDITONAL ITEM |
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Instrument Landing Systems T04.01 |
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Mr Bob Clarkson and Mr John Hay (HIAL) and Mr Chris Cake (NATS) were invited to address the Committee in relation to the provision of an Instrument Landing System at Stornoway Airport. Members were afforded the opportunity of asking questions.
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It was agreed to recommend that:
(1) the Comhairle agree to seek the formation of a Strategic Development Partnership for Stornoway Airport; and
(2) the Chairman be authorised to make representations to HIAL regarding the inconsistency in the smoking policies adopted at Highlands and Islands airports.
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