2 October 2002

COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Wednesday 2 October 2002 at 11.00am.

PRESENT

Mr Norman A Macdonald (Chairman)

Mr Donald Manford (Vice-Chairman)

Mr Roderick Morrison

Mr Angus Campbell

Mr Alexander A MacDonald

Mr Donald J Macsween

Mr Angus M Graham

Mr Finlay Morrison

Mr Malcolm J Graham

Mr Donald Macdonald

Mr Roderick J Murray

Mr Donald Maclean

Mr Angus Nicolson

Mr Ronald J Mackinnon

Tribute: Eriskay Causeway

The Chairman referred to the official opening of the Eriskay Causeway on 11 September 2002 and, on behalf of the Committee, thanked those officers involved in organising the opening and the local community for providing hospitality.

Tribute: Mr Alexander A Macdonald

The Chairman referred to Mr Alexander A Macdonald who had been appointed to the Board of Caledonian MacBrayne and, on behalf of the Committee, congratulated Mr Macdonald on his appointment.

Tribute: Mr Roderick J Murray

The Chairman referred to Mr Roderick J Murray who had been appointed as a Member of the Crofters Commission and, on behalf of the Committee, congratulated Mr Murray on his appointment.

MINUTES

Mr Malcolm J Graham declared an interest and left the meeting during consideration of items 1 and 2.

Minute of Meeting of 13 September 2002

T02.01

1

The Minute of Meeting of 13 September 2002 was approved.

Arising from consideration of the minute it was agreed:

(1) to homologate the actions of the Chief Executive in appointing Mr Murdo Macleod and Mr Angus Nicolson to serve on the Taxi/Private Hire Car Licensing Panel of 13 September 2002;

(2) to appoint Mr Murdo Macleod and Mr Angus Nicolson to the Taxi/Private Hire Car Licensing Panel; and;

(3) that the Director of Technical Services would circulate copies of the revised Cal Mac Summer Timetables 2003 to Members.

Minute of Meeting of the Taxi/Private Hire Car Licensing Panel of 13 September 2002

T01.18

2

The Minute of Meeting of the Taxi/Private Hire Car Licensing Panel of 13 September 2002 was noted.

ROADS

Programme and Progress Roads

T08.01

3

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Programme and Progress Report in respect of road schemes.

It was agreed to note the Report.

Arising out of consideration of this item it was agreed that the Director of Technical Services would submit a Report to a future meeting on the provision of safety barriers along the A859 between the Clisham and Ardhasaig, Isle of Harris.

Roads Revenue Programme Update

T12.62.01

4

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing progress with the Roads Revenue Programme. The Report indicated that expenditure to September 2000 was £2,163,737 compared to a budget of £4,682,113. The Report detailed the works undertaken during the current financial year.

It was agreed to note the Report.

It was agreed that the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Item 5 below, on the grounds that exempt information as defined in Paragraph 8 of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 would be disclosed, namely, information relating to the amount of any expenditure proposed to be incurred by the Comhairle under any particular contract for the acquisition of property or the supply of goods or services.

Supply and Application of Coated Macadam 2003 - 2008

T12.62

5

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report in respect of the tender process for the Supply and Application of Coated Macadam 2003/2008. The Report indicated that it was proposed to issue the contracts on the basis of a five year period for two areas - Lewis and Harris, the Uists and Barra. There would be considerable investment required in the plant necessary for the execution of the contract and it would, therefore, be more economically advantageous if the contract was offered over a period of five years.

It was agreed that;

(1) tenders be sought from the following contractors together with any suitable contractors responding to the OJEC advertisement for the Supply and Application of Coated Macadam to roads throughout the Comhairle's area for the 2003-2008 financial years;

Aggregate Industries Ltd

J A Gardner Ltd

R MacAskill Ltd

MacIain Ltd

R J McLeod (Contractors) Ltd

Pirie & Co; and

(2) in the event that the restricted procedure did not result in an appropriate tender, the Director of Technical Services be authorised to convert to the negotiated procedure.

AIR TRANSPORT

The Future Development of Air Transport in the UK: Scotland

T04.02

6

With reference to item 15 of the Minute of Meeting of 28 August 2002 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the Air Transport Consultation Document. The Report highlighted the key issues in the document and indicated that a draft submission would be presented to the next meeting.

It was agreed;

(1) to note the Report; and

(2) that Members would be asked to submit comments on the Air Transport Consultation Document to the Director of Technical Services by 9 October 2002.

PERFORMANCE REVIEW

Reports Outstanding - Progress

PR33.01.12

7

The Chief Executive submitted a Report detailing Reports outstanding arising from decisions of the Committee.

It was agreed to note the Report.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS

The Chairman ruled that, in accordance with the provisions of Section 50B(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, as detailed in terms of Standing Order 8, the following item be considered as a matter of urgency to allow the Comhairle to meet the deadline for responses to a consultation exercise.

Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services Consultation

T06.01

8

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the Comhairle's response to the consultation on Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services.

It was agreed to note the Report.

Arising from consideration of this item it was agreed that the Director of Technical Services would make further representations to the Scottish Executive for the inclusion of free travel for concessionary card holders in the Western Isles on mainland ferries, including companions for blind and disabled travellers and the abolition of the surcharges applied to current fares for the use of some piers.

The Chairman ruled that, in accordance with the provisions of Section 50B(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, as detailed in terms of Standing Order 8, the following item be considered as a matter of urgency to allow Members to consider the negotiations in respect of Ice Gritting and Snow Clearing 2002 - 2006 prior to the start of the Contract.

It was agreed that the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Additional Item 9 below, on the grounds that exempt information as defined in Paragraph 8 of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 would be disclosed, namely, information relating to the amount of any expenditure proposed to be incurred by the Comhairle under any particular contract for the acquisition of property or the supply of goods.

Ice Gritting and Snow Clearing

T08.05.04

9

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the outcome of the negotiation process in respect of the tender for Lots 5 - 9 of the Ice Gritting and Snow Clearing 2002 - 2006 contract.

It was agreed to note the Report.

___

PRESENT	Mr Norman A Macdonald (Chairman)
	Mr Donald Manford (Vice-Chairman)
	Mr Roderick Morrison	Mr Angus Campbell
	Mr Alexander A MacDonald	Mr Donald J Macsween
	Mr Angus M Graham	Mr Finlay Morrison
	Mr Malcolm J Graham	Mr Donald Macdonald
	Mr Roderick J Murray	Mr Donald Maclean
	Mr Angus Nicolson	Mr Ronald J Mackinnon

Tribute: Eriskay Causeway		The Chairman referred to the official opening of the Eriskay Causeway on 11 September 2002 and, on behalf of the Committee, thanked those officers involved in organising the opening and the local community for providing hospitality.
Tribute: Mr Alexander A Macdonald		The Chairman referred to Mr Alexander A Macdonald who had been appointed to the Board of Caledonian MacBrayne and, on behalf of the Committee, congratulated Mr Macdonald on his appointment.
Tribute: Mr Roderick J Murray		The Chairman referred to Mr Roderick J Murray who had been appointed as a Member of the Crofters Commission and, on behalf of the Committee, congratulated Mr Murray on his appointment.
		MINUTES
		Mr Malcolm J Graham declared an interest and left the meeting during consideration of items 1 and 2.
Minute of Meeting of 13 September 2002 T02.01	1	The Minute of Meeting of 13 September 2002 was approved. Arising from consideration of the minute it was agreed: (1) to homologate the actions of the Chief Executive in appointing Mr Murdo Macleod and Mr Angus Nicolson to serve on the Taxi/Private Hire Car Licensing Panel of 13 September 2002; (2) to appoint Mr Murdo Macleod and Mr Angus Nicolson to the Taxi/Private Hire Car Licensing Panel; and; (3) that the Director of Technical Services would circulate copies of the revised Cal Mac Summer Timetables 2003 to Members.
Minute of Meeting of the Taxi/Private Hire Car Licensing Panel of 13 September 2002 T01.18	2	The Minute of Meeting of the Taxi/Private Hire Car Licensing Panel of 13 September 2002 was noted.
		ROADS
Programme and Progress Roads T08.01	3	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Programme and Progress Report in respect of road schemes. It was agreed to note the Report. Arising out of consideration of this item it was agreed that the Director of Technical Services would submit a Report to a future meeting on the provision of safety barriers along the A859 between the Clisham and Ardhasaig, Isle of Harris.
Roads Revenue Programme Update T12.62.01	4	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing progress with the Roads Revenue Programme. The Report indicated that expenditure to September 2000 was £2,163,737 compared to a budget of £4,682,113. The Report detailed the works undertaken during the current financial year. It was agreed to note the Report.
		It was agreed that the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Item 5 below, on the grounds that exempt information as defined in Paragraph 8 of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 would be disclosed, namely, information relating to the amount of any expenditure proposed to be incurred by the Comhairle under any particular contract for the acquisition of property or the supply of goods or services.
Supply and Application of Coated Macadam 2003 - 2008 T12.62	5	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report in respect of the tender process for the Supply and Application of Coated Macadam 2003/2008. The Report indicated that it was proposed to issue the contracts on the basis of a five year period for two areas - Lewis and Harris, the Uists and Barra. There would be considerable investment required in the plant necessary for the execution of the contract and it would, therefore, be more economically advantageous if the contract was offered over a period of five years. It was agreed that; (1) tenders be sought from the following contractors together with any suitable contractors responding to the OJEC advertisement for the Supply and Application of Coated Macadam to roads throughout the Comhairle's area for the 2003-2008 financial years; Aggregate Industries Ltd J A Gardner Ltd R MacAskill Ltd MacIain Ltd R J McLeod (Contractors) Ltd Pirie & Co; and (2) in the event that the restricted procedure did not result in an appropriate tender, the Director of Technical Services be authorised to convert to the negotiated procedure.
		AIR TRANSPORT
The Future Development of Air Transport in the UK: Scotland T04.02	6	With reference to item 15 of the Minute of Meeting of 28 August 2002 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the Air Transport Consultation Document. The Report highlighted the key issues in the document and indicated that a draft submission would be presented to the next meeting. It was agreed; (1) to note the Report; and (2) that Members would be asked to submit comments on the Air Transport Consultation Document to the Director of Technical Services by 9 October 2002.
		PERFORMANCE REVIEW
Reports Outstanding - Progress PR33.01.12	7	The Chief Executive submitted a Report detailing Reports outstanding arising from decisions of the Committee. It was agreed to note the Report.
		ADDITIONAL ITEMS
		The Chairman ruled that, in accordance with the provisions of Section 50B(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, as detailed in terms of Standing Order 8, the following item be considered as a matter of urgency to allow the Comhairle to meet the deadline for responses to a consultation exercise.
Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services Consultation T06.01	8	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the Comhairle's response to the consultation on Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services. It was agreed to note the Report. Arising from consideration of this item it was agreed that the Director of Technical Services would make further representations to the Scottish Executive for the inclusion of free travel for concessionary card holders in the Western Isles on mainland ferries, including companions for blind and disabled travellers and the abolition of the surcharges applied to current fares for the use of some piers.
		The Chairman ruled that, in accordance with the provisions of Section 50B(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, as detailed in terms of Standing Order 8, the following item be considered as a matter of urgency to allow Members to consider the negotiations in respect of Ice Gritting and Snow Clearing 2002 - 2006 prior to the start of the Contract.
		It was agreed that the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Additional Item 9 below, on the grounds that exempt information as defined in Paragraph 8 of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 would be disclosed, namely, information relating to the amount of any expenditure proposed to be incurred by the Comhairle under any particular contract for the acquisition of property or the supply of goods.
Ice Gritting and Snow Clearing T08.05.04	9	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the outcome of the negotiation process in respect of the tender for Lots 5 - 9 of the Ice Gritting and Snow Clearing 2002 - 2006 contract. It was agreed to note the Report.