COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Wednesday 27 March 2002 at 11.00am
PRESENT |
Mr Norman A Macdonald (Chairman) |
|
Mr Donald Manford (Vice-Chairman) |
||
Mr Roderick Morrison |
||
Mr Alexander A Macdonald |
Mr Angus Campbell | |
Mr Malcolm J Graham |
Mr Donald J Macsween | |
Mr Roderick J Murray |
Mr Finlay Morrison | |
Mr Angus Nicolson |
Mr Donald Macdonald | |
Mr Alasdair G Macrae |
Mr Donald Maclean |
MINUTES | |||||
Transportation Committee T02.01 |
1 |
The Minutes of Meetings of 30 January 2002, 19 February 2002 and 8 March 2002 were approved subject to the following amendment - the decision at item 20 of the Minute of Meeting of 30 January 2002 be altered to read as follows; "it was agreed to implement the One-Way System in Tarbert on a clockwise basis". In light of a material change of circumstances, namely discussions with the public and the police in respect of the practicality of the One-Way System at Tarbert. | |||
Integrated Passenger Transport Sub-Committee T05.01 |
2 |
The Minutes of Meetings of the Integrated Passenger Transport Sub-Committee of 24 January 2002 and 8 March 2002 were approved. | |||
HITRANS T01.08.22 |
3 |
The Minutes of Meetings of HITRANS of 19 December 2001 and 22 February 2002 were approved. | |||
FINANCE | |||||
Tender Monitoring T12.62 |
4 |
The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the comparison of tender amounts, actual costs and, where appropriate, final costs for transportation schemes where the tender price was in excess of £75k. It was agreed to note the Report. | |||
Repairs and Maintenance (Revenue) Programme 2001/2002: Quarterly Expenditure Report to 19 February 2002 PR100.08.15 |
5 |
The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing expenditure on the repair and maintenance of properties held on the Transportation Account to 19 February 2002. It was agreed to note the Report. | |||
SEA TRANSPORT | |||||
Legality of the Comhairle not Allowing Ferry Operators to Operate Sunday Services T06.03 |
6 |
With reference to item 12 of the Minute of Meeting of 30 January 2002 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report indicating that the Comhairle had no power to prevent ferry operators operating Sunday services and it had been established that the Comhairle could not prevent ferry operators from using its piers on a Sunday. The operation of Sunday ferries was therefore a matter for the operators themselves. In respect of ferry services operated by the Comhairle it was for the Comhairle, in conjunction with the MCA to determine the hours and days of operation of such a ferry service. It was agreed to note the Report. | |||
Mr Finlay Morrison declared an interest and the left the meeting during consideration of the following item. | |||||
Conservancy Dues - Cal Mac 2002/03 T07.08.02 |
7 |
The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the dues charged on commercial vessels for the use of Comhairle owned piers which were made up of two elements, comprising the conservancy dues for berthing of the vessel and the pier dues for the cargo carried. The conservancy dues were calculated on the number of entries to a port and the pier dues were based on the number of passengers, vehicles etc. The Report proposed that the discounted rate of conservancy dues afforded to Caledonian MacBrayne for MV Hebrides should be increased for the year 2002/2003 and further maintained for a period of 5 years as the larger size of the vessel was providing an improved service and the Comhairle had not incurred any additional expenditure in accommodating the new vessel. The Report further proposed that Members set the rate for the new Sound of Harris and Sound of Barra vessels once they commenced operations. It was agreed that: (1) the Conservancy Dues discount rate for MV Hebrides should be increased from the present level of 75% to 80% for the year 2002/03; (2) the Conservancy Dues discount rate for the Sound of Harris be increased when the new vessel is introduced on to the service and phased over a 3 year period at 80% for year 1, 75% for year 2 and 60% for year 3; (3) a two year moratorium be applied to the Conservancy Dues for the Loch Brusda when the vessel commences operating on the Sound of Barra services and thereafter a Conservancy discount rate of 60% be applied; (4) all the above discount rates are reviewed after 5 years; and (5) the Comhairle adopt 3 lit and 4 unlit navigation aids within the Lochmaddy Harbour area which were currently owned by Cal Mac subject to a satisfactory condition survey and the necessary sanctions being obtained. | |||
THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS REFERRED TO POLICY AND FINANCE | |||||
Sound of Harris Ferry Service - Aird ma Ruibhe Slipway T07.03 |
8 |
The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning proposals to widen the Ard ma Ruibhe slipway to accommodate the proposed new Caledonian MacBrayne ferry. Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd had recently indicated that the proposed vessel for the Sound of Harris ferry service was much larger than previously envisaged and would require a four metre widening of the existing slipway at Ard ma Ruibhe, Berneray. The Report proposed that, as the increased size of the vessel had produced additional berthing dues the project could be undertaken using the additional revenue on a CFCR basis with a view to completion of the works prior to the introduction of a new service. | |||
It was agreed: (1) to approve the 4 metre widening of the slipway at Aird ma Ruibhe with the works being undertaken by competitive tender with contractors drawn from the Comhairle's approved list of civil engineering contractors in the 0-£300k range in Uist, subject to the appropriate licences being obtained; and (2) that the project costs of £70k be funded from CFCR utilising the windfall increase in pier dues for 2001/02 should this still be available. | |||||
Sound of Barra Vehicular Ferry Services T06.02.11 |
9 |
With reference to item 11 of the Minute of Meeting of 13 January 2002 the Director of Technical Service submitted a R eport seeking approval to amend fares on the Sound of Barra Vehicular Ferry Service so that transit style vans under 5 metres in length would be charged the same fare as equivalent motorhomes. It was agreed that: (1) the Committee note the commencement of the vehicle ferry service across the Sound of Barra and the positive local publicity received following the first fortnight of the service; and (2) the fare for motorhomes and box vans (transit style under 5 metres in length) be on the same basis as that for cars i.e. £10 single and that a six journey ticket be introduced for these vehicles costing £42 for six single crossings. | |||
ROAD TRANSPORT | |||||
Rural Transport Fund Expenditure T01.17 |
10 |
With reference to item 65 of the Minute of Meeting of 30 May 2001 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report in respect of the Rural Transport Funding of £395k allocated to the Comhairle for 2002/03 as part of the distribution of the Rural Transport Fund. The proposed breakdown of the expenditure was detailed in the Report with the main increase being shown to cover the costs of the key network and evening services recently tendered and now awarded for the two years up to April 2004. Provision was also being made to provide additional bus services to meet the new timetable for the Sound of Barra vehicle ferry service. It was agreed: (1) to note changes to expenditure for the current financial year as detailed in the Report; and (2) to approve the breakdown of approved expenditure for financial year 2002/03 as follows; | |||
Contribution to maintain key network |
116k | ||||
Additional Services (mainly evening services) |
142k | ||||
Contribution to HITRANS |
9k | ||||
Network Enhancements - Shopping Services |
15k | ||||
Enhancements for links to Sound of Barra Vehicle Ferry |
18k | ||||
Local Community Transport Schemes |
30k | ||||
Local Publicity/Infrastructure |
10k | ||||
National Public Transport Information Service |
10k | ||||
Contribution to minibus manager provision |
5k | ||||
Additional Staffing Costs - Transport Office |
20k | ||||
Additional Staffing Costs - Harbours and ferries |
20K | ||||
Total |
395k | ||||
Mr Finlay Morrison and Mr Donald Macdonald declared an interest and left the meeting during consideration of the following item. | |||||
Free Travel for Concessionary Card Holders T05.01 |
11 |
The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the proposals from the Scottish Executive for free travel for concessionary card holders. The Executive had provided all local authorities with additional finance to fund a local scheme to provide free travel for all concessionary car holders. The first phase of the scheme was to be effective from October 2000 with the second phase, including the age range 60 - 64 and which required changes to national legislation, expected to follow in April 2003. The scheme proposals would offer free travel to all concessionary card holders after 9.30am on weekdays and all day on weekends and public holidays. It was agreed that details of the Free Concessionary Travel Scheme for the Western Isles be prepared as follows; (1) travel is free to local residents, who are holders of concessionary cards, and companions for registered blind persons, on all island bus services after 9.30am on weekdays and any time on Saturdays and public holidays. Travel before 9.30am on weekdays will remain at half fare; (2) details of the compensation sought by existing contractors, holding 5 year contracts valid until April 2004, are established and reported to a future meeting of the Committee; (3) options and costs for free travel on inter-island ferry services are investigated and reported to a future meeting of the Committee; and (4) the options for the cost of a concessionary card and method of issue are investigated in response to the increased charges proposed by Consignia and reported back to the Committee. | |||
ROADS | |||||
Programme and Progress - Roads T08.01 |
12 |
The Director of Technical Services submitted a Programme and Progress Report in respect of roads. It was agreed to note the Report. | |||
Roads Revenue Programme - Roads T12.62.01 |
13 |
The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the proposed Roads Revenue Programme for 2002/03. The Maintenance Programme would include such items as resurfacing, surface dressing and general repairs. It was agreed to approve the enclosed Roads Revenue Programme for 2002/03 financial year on the basis that minor changes may be necessary at departmental level because of unforeseen remedial works and other uncertainties in programming. | |||
The Chairman declared an interest and left the meeting during consideration of the following item and the Vice-Chairman chaired the meeting in respect of item 14. | |||||
Roads Revenue Programme: Unadopted Roads Allocation Review for 2002/03 T12.62.01 |
14 |
The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the proposed Unadopted Roads Programme for 2002/03. It was indicated that the budget for 2002/03 would be allocated to Lewis and Barra. It was agreed to approve: (1) the list of unadopted roads given in Appendices 4, 5 and 6 as the approved lists for the 2002/03 financial year; (2) the allocation of £131k of revenue resources to the Category B roads, as shown in Appendix 6; | |||
(3) the allocation of £5k of revenue resources to the Category C roads; (4) the allocation of £5k of revenue resources to patch Lewis/Barra Category B roads; and (5) the allocation of £12k of revenue resources to Social Work access roads. Arising from consideration of this item it was agreed that: (1) the Director of Technical Services would assess the suitability of West Earshader Road; The Old Post Office Road, Carloway; 24 Ardmhor; 40 Newmarket; Aignish Shore Road; Drinishader Pier Road; Garrabost Shore Road and Achnaha, against the criteria for inclusion in the list of unadopted roads; and (2) the Director of Technical Services would submit a Report to a future meeting revisiting the criteria for assessing unadopted roads. | |||||
Additional Revenue Allocation T12.62.01 |
15 |
The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report in respect of an additional allocation from the Scottish Executive to tackle the backlog of repairs to local roads and bridges. The Comhairle had been allocated £366k which must be spent by September 2002. The Report further indicated that, with the deteriorating condition of the network the appropriate course of action would be to spend the additional allocation on road surfacing. It was agreed that the additional revenue allocation of £366k be added to the road surfacing heads of the Revenue Programme for 2002-03 with expenditure required by September 2002. | |||
Scottish Road Maintenance Condition Survey (SRMCS) T08.05 |
16 |
The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning proposals to enter into a contract to assess the condition of the road network throughout Scotland. The purpose of the survey was to assess the condition of the Scottish road network and to produce a system of condition indicators. These indicators would then be used to provide evidence of the maintenance spending backlog on the local road network and would form the basis of the structural national performance indicators to be adopted by Audit Scotland. It was agreed that the Director of Technical Service be authorised to make arrangements for the Comhairle to enter into an agreement for co-operating and funding the Scottish Road Maintenance Condition Survey with the costs being met from the Roads Revenue Budget. | |||
Detailed Survey of Public Roads T08.05 |
17 |
With reference to item 12 of the Minute of Meeting of 30 January 2002 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the potential costs of undertaking detailed surveys of all public roads throughout the Western Isles. The survey would involve highlighting the condition of the road and show where the vertical and/or horizontal alignment created potential road safety issues. Such a survey would require a significant degree of detailed evaluation and consequently the cost was estimated at £600 per kilometre. It was agreed that: (1) the costs for the detailed survey of North Lochs ward and all public roads throughout the Comhairle be noted; and (2) the existing arrangement where road safety schemes are assessed for inclusion in budgets following a local consultation exercise should be continued. | |||
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 of business affairs of any particular person other than the Council. | |||||
Surface Dressing 2002/2006 T12.62.02 |
18 |
The Director of Technical Service submitted a Report detailing the tenders received for Surface Dressing Works in Lewis, Harris, Uist and Barra for 2002-2006. It was agreed to accept the tender from Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Commercial Operation Uist for surface dressing in Lewis, Harris, Uist and Barra for the 2002/06 period. | |||
Roads Revenue Programme 2002/2003 - Annual Supplies 2002/03 Financial Year - Supply of General Civil Engineering Materials T12.62 |
19 |
The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the proposed list of suppliers of general civil engineering materials to the Comhairle for 2002/03. It was agreed to approve the list detailed in the Report as suppliers of General Civil Engineering Material for the 2002/03 financial year. | |||
Road Safety: Speed Limit on C41 Adjacent to Bernera Hall, Church and School T05.14 |
20 |
The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning a request for a speed limit on the C41 at Bernera, Lewis. The length of road in question was 700m and comprised a single track road with a hard verge type footpath and street lighting. The properties adjacent to the road comprised a new community hall that was regularly used, two churches, the local primary school and the local shop. It was agreed that a 30mph speed limit be implemented between the shop and the hall on the C41 at Bernera. | |||
Road Safety: 30 MPH Speed Limit through Tong Village T05.14 |
21 |
With reference to item 22 of the Minute of Meeting of the Transportation Sub-Committee of 1 November 2000 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning a request for a 30mph speed limit through Tong village. The entire loop road through Tong village was currently restricted to a 40mph speed limit and the results of a traffic survey on the road was detailed. It was agreed that a 30mph speed limit be implemented through Tong village. | |||
Road Safety Implications at Plasterfield T05.14 |
22 |
The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning a petition from residents of Plasterfield wishing some traffic control measures for the Plasterfield area. The Report indicated that short term measures involving road markings and signage could be implemented in the short term and the long term proposals for a bus lay-by and resident parking should be pursued with the Ministry of Defence. It was agreed that: (1) road markings be placed on the road in the Plasterfield area and also erect warning signs be erected to increase driver awareness; and (2) discussions continue with the Ministry of Defence in order to reach a suitable agreement to promote the scheme offering a bus lay-by and adequate resident parking in conjunction with the Housing Department. | |||
Road Safety: Speed Limit on A866 Between Aird School and Macsween Drive T05.14 |
23 |
The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning a request for a 30mph speed limit on the A866 between Aird School and Macsween Drive, Point. The length of road in question was approximately 400m with Aird School at one end and the housing site at Macsween Drive at the other with private housing in between. The road was 6m wide with a kerbed footpath to one side and street lighting. It was agreed that a 30mph speed limit be implemented between Aird School and Macsween Drive. | |||
Road Safety: 40 MPH Speed Limit at Leverburgh T05.14 |
24 |
The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning a request for a 40mph speed limit on the new section of road between the Free Presbyterian church and the ferry terminal at Leverburgh. The road had pedestrian provision but was not kerbed and did not have street lights. There was also a crossing point on the road where the footpath changed from one side to the other. It was agreed that a 40mph speed limit be implemented on the new section of road between the Free Presbyterian Church and the Ferry Terminal in Leverburgh in order to keep the entire road network in the area under one order. Arising from consideration of this item it was agreed that the Director of Technical Services would submit a Report to a future meeting in respect of speed limits policy. | |||
Unadopted Road: Rhughasinish, Iochdar - Scheme of Delegation Issue T08.05 |
25 |
The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning surfacing works undertaken at Rhughasinish. The works were undertaken following representations from the local community and it has since come to light that the road provided access to the property of Councillor Mary Bremner's brother. In terms of the Scheme of Delegation homologation was therefore sought for these works. It was agreed that the surfacing works at Rhughasinish be homologated. | |||
PERFORMANCE REVIEW | |||||
Reports Outstanding: Progress PR33.01.02 |
26 |
The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report detailing reports outstanding arising from decisions of the Committee. It was agreed to note the Report. | |||
ADDITIONAL ITEMS | |||||
Car Park Member/Officer Working Group T01.02.03 |
27 |
The Minute of Meeting of the Car Park Member/Officer Working Group of 12 March 2002 was approved. | |||
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 introduction of a Vehicle Inspection Service for taxis and private hire vehicles on the Isle of Barra. | |||||
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 Council. | |||||
Taxi and Private Car Hire Vehicle Inspection Services, Barra CH04.06 |
28 |
The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report seeking permission to seek tenders for the provision of a vehicle inspection service for taxis and private hire vehicles on the Isle of Barra. The Director of Corporate Services be authorised to seek tenders for the provision of a vehicle inspection service for taxis and private hire vehicles on the Isle of Barra from M Mackinnon, 43 Kentagaval, Isle of Barra and Macmillan Motors, 30 Eoligarry, Isle of Barra. | |||
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 urgent representations to be made to Caledonian MacBrayne in respect of the Stornoway to Ullapool route. | |||||
Caledonian MacBrayne Services - Stornoway to Ullapool Route T06.01 |
29 |
With reference to item 11 of the Minute of Meeting of 30 January 2002 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the Stornoway to Ullapool ferry services. The latest indications for Caledonian MacBrayne were that the freight vessel Hafcosay would be on service on the route from 15 April 2002 and would probably finish serving the route by mid September 2002. There was currently no indication from Caledonian MacBrayne as to what service would be provided thereafter. It was agreed that the Director of Technical Services be authorised to make representations to Cal Mac: (1) for early clarification of the proposals for the Stornoway to Ullapool route for the winter period and also to enable the freight vessel to be used as a freight priority rather than a freight only service; and (2) expressing dissatisfaction with the fact that the Winter 2002/2003 timetables had not yet been issued for consultation. | |||
