COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Tuesday 20 April 2004 at 2.00pm.

PRESENT

Mr Donald Manford (Chairman)

 

 

Mr Ronald J Mackinnon (Vice-Chairman)

 

 

Mr John Mackay

Mr Angus Campbell

 

Mr Roderick Morrison

Mr Donald J Macsween

 

Mr Norman A Macdonald

Mr Alexander M Mackintosh

 

Mr Angus M Graham

Mr Donald Macdonald

 

Mr Malcolm J Graham

Mr Donald Maclean

 

Mr Neil Campbell

Mr Martin C Taylor

 

 

 

APOLOGIES

Mr Alex A MacDonald

 

 

 

Mr Colin Fox MSP

 

 

1

The Chairman welcomed Mr Colin Fox MSP to the meeting.  Mr Fox addressed the Committee in relation to the issues of Road Equivalent Tariff on mainland ferry services.  Members were afforded the opportunity of asking questions of Mr Fox.

 

 

 

 

MINUTES

 

Minute of Meeting of 4 February 2004

 

 

2

The Minute of Meeting of 4 February 2004 was approved.

Decision Report of Meeting of HITRANS of 13 February 2004

T01.08.22

 

3

It was agreed to note the Minute of Meeting of HITRANS of 13 February 2004.

 

 

CONSTITUTION

 

Stornoway Town Centre Permit Sub-Committee

T01.21

 

4

The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report seeking approval to establish a Stornoway Town Centre Permit Sub-Committee with a remit to determine the granting, renewal and suspension of permits to access Stornoway pedestrian precinct area.  The Committee was invited to appoint Members to serve on the Sub-Committee.

 

 

It was agreed:

 

(1)                 to establish a Stornoway Town Centre Permit Sub-Committee for the term of the Comhairle, with the remit, membership, quorum and functions as detailed in the Appendix to the Report;

 

(2)                 to appoint the three Members on the Car Park Member/Officer Working Group to the Sub-Committee; and

 

(3)                 to appoint Mr Neil Campbell and Mr Donald J Macsween to the Sub-Committee.

 

 

 

 

CORPORATE STRATEGY

 

Corporate Strategy 2001-03 Outstanding Key Tasks

PR11.40

 

5

The Chief Executive submitted a Report seeking approval of the recommendations relating to the outstanding key tasks included in the Corporate Strategy 2001-03.  Recommendations for further action and recommendations for outstanding key aims were appended to the Report.

 

It was agreed to recommend that the Report be noted insofar as the Committees interests were concerned.

 

 

 

 

AIR SERVICES

 

Inter-island Air Service – Barra-Benbecula

T04.02.03A

 

6

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report in relation to a request from Loganair Ltd for changes to the Barra – Benbecula Air Service timetable in order to provide additional services to Glasgow.

 

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services, in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, be authorised to agree the proposed timetable change on Wednesdays during the period 5 June - 25 September 2004 in respect of the Barra – Benbecula Air Service.

 

 

Glasgow/ Benbecula Scheduled Air Service

T04.02.03A

 

7

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report in relation to the Glasgow – Benbecula Scheduled Air Service being operated by Loganair Ltd.  The Report indicated that the operator intended to introduce a well timed double daily service on the route.  To date the operator was not in a position to release final details of the service.

 

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services be authorised to invite Loganair Ltd to attend a meeting with Uist Councillors and a representative of Royal Mail so that the strength of feeling in respect of the Glasgow – Benbecula Air Service can be made clear and a way forward considered.

 

Arising from consideration of this matter it was agreed to recommend approval of the change in departure times to 0900 on the Inter-Island Air Service for Stornoway – Benbecula.

 

 

Highlands and Islands Airports:  Airport Charges and Security Recoveries 2004/2005

T04.01

 

8

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning airport charges and security recoveries at Highlands and Islands Airports.  The Report indicated that the Scottish Executive has asked Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd to absorb Airport Security Charges for Barra, Campbeltown and Tiree Airports, pending a review of Charges.

 

It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle note the proposed review of Airport Charges and Security Recoveries by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited.

 

 

An Expanded Air Services Network for the Highlands and Islands

T04.02

9

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing progress with proposals for an expanded Air Services Network for the Highlands and Islands.  The network has been divided up into four approximately equal PSO Bundles based on geographical sub-regions.  The Report detailed the bundle of PSO Routes for the Western Isles.

 

 

 

It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle:

 

(1)                 ask HITRANS to take forward the proposed air service network for the Highlands and Islands on the basis of four geographical bundles, as detailed in the Report; and

 

(2)                 approve the Western Isles PSO bundle subject to clarification of the legal issues relating to Stornoway – Edinburgh to the satisfaction of the Director of Technical Services and Director of Corporate Services.

 

 

 

 

FERRY SERVICES

 

Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd:  Proposed Timetables – Winter 2004/05 and Summer 2005

T06.01

 

 

10

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the draft timetables for Caledonian MacBraynes services for the 2004/05 Winter period and the 2005 Summer period.  Members were asked to comment on the draft timetables.

 

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services be authorised to forward to Cal Mac Ltd the views expressed by the Committee in relation to the proposed Winter 2004/05 and Summer 2005 timetables.

 

 

Lochboisdale – Mallaig Ferry Route

T06.01

 

11

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report in relation to the tender specification for the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services.  The Report detailed the response from the Minister for Transport in relation to proposals for the inclusion of a new Ferry Service between Mallaig and Lochboisdale in the tender specification.

 

It was agreed to recommend that the Chairman be authorised to make representations to the Minister for Transport seeking a mini consultation on the specification for the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services.

 

 

 

 

BUS SERVICES

 

Bus Contract Number HA5

E01

 

 

12

It was agreed to withdraw this item.

 

Assignation of Bus Contract Number SY1

E01

 

13

The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report concerning the assignation of Bus Contract SY1.  The Report indicated that the Director of Corporate Services has delegated power to authorise the assignation of School Transport and other Contracts but that this matter was being referred to Members as the Director of one of the companies involved was the local Member for the Barvas and Arnol Ward.

 

It was agreed to recommend that the actions of the Director of Corporate Services in agreeing to the assignation of Bus Contract number SY1 to Peter Maclennan be homologated.

 

 

 

 

ROADS

 

Roads Revenue Programme – Roads

T12.62

 

14

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the proposed Road Revenues Programme for 2004/05.  The continuing maintenance programme being undertaken to the road network throughout the Comhairle's area was detailed.

 

It was agreed to recommend approval of the Roads Revenue Programme for 2004/05 as detailed in the Report, on the basis that minor changes may be necessary at Departmental level because of unforeseen remedial works and other uncertainties in programming.

 

 

Roads Revenue Programme:  Unadopted Roads – Allocation Review for 2004/05

T12.62

 

15

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the allocation for unadopted roads for 2004/05.  The Comhairle had approved the inclusion of £157,624 in the revenue estimates for unadopted roads and the allocation for 2004/05 would be allocated to Lewis and Barra.

 

It was agreed to recommend:

 

(1)                 approval of the list of unadopted roads given in Appendices 4, 5 and 6 as the approved lists for the 2004/05 financial year subject to any amendments following the submissions from Members; and

 

(2)                 the allocation of

 

(i)                   £135,624 of revenue resources to the Category B roads, as detailed in Appendix 7 of the Report;

 

(ii)                 £5k of revenue resources to the Category C roads as detailed in the Report;

 

(iii)                £5k of revenue resources to patch Harris/Uist Category B roads as detailed in the Report; and

 

(iv)               £12k of revenue resources to Social Work access roads as detailed in the Report.

 

 

Winter Maintenance

T08.05.04

 

16

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the expenditure on Winter maintenance for 2003/04.

 

It was agreed to recommend that the Report be noted.

 

 

Potential HITRANS Public Transport Projects

T01.08.22

 

17

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report indicating that the Scottish Executive have previously awarded conditional funding to HITRANS for Public Transport Projects.  The Report detailed a list of potential public transport projects in the Western Isles which could forward to HITRANS for consideration should further conditional funding be made available.

 

It was agreed to recommend that the list of projects detailed in the Report be submitted to HITRANS for consideration in terms of Public Transport Funding.

 

 

Planning Applications and New Road Construction

DS21.01

 

18

The Director of Technical Service submitted a Report seeking to develop policies within the Comhairle to maintain a consistent approach to dealing with road related issues in relation to new planning applications.

 

 

It was agreed to defer consideration of this item to the next Meeting.

 

 

 

 

Mr Angus Campbell declared an interest and left the meeting during consideration of the following item.

 

Uig Filling Station – Assistance with Surfacing

T02

 

19

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning a request from Uig Community Trust for surfacing at Uig Filling Station.  The Report indicated that the matter could not be dealt with under delegated powers as the local Member for the Uig Ward was a Member of Uig Community Trust.  Mr Angus Campbell and Mr Norman A Macdonald declared an interest and left the Meeting during consideration of the following items.

 

It was agreed to recommend that surfacing assistance be given to the Uig Filling Station in line with Comhairle policy.

 

 

Roadworks at Clachan Biorach

T12

 

20

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report seeking approval of Roadwork’s at Clachan Biorach, Tong.  The Report indicated that the matter could not be dealt with under delegated powers as the local Member for the Blackwater Ward owned a property in the vicinity of the works.

 

It was agreed to recommend approval of the works to the junction and turning point at Clachan Biorach.

 

 

Road Safety (Prohibition of Waiting) Goathill Road , Stornoway.

T05.14

 

21

With reference to item 19 of the Minute of meeting of 26 November 2003, the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the outcome of the consultation process in relation to the Draft Prohibition of Waiting Order at Goathill Road, Stornoway.  The consultation process had made it evident that the need to impose such a measure at Goathill was unnecessary and the problem could be addressed by the use of traffic cones.

 

It was agreed to recommend:

 

(1)                 that the Comhairle does not approve a Prohibition of Waiting Order at Goathill Road; and

 

(2)                 that the Director of Technical Services be authorised to make representations to the Stornoway Football Association and the Goathill Amenity and Recreation Club to encourage better communication with the Police so that “No Waiting” cones can be placed at this location as appropriate during the football season.

 

 

Perceval Square Car Park

Reserved Parking Stornoway Trust Office

T09.01

 

22

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing a request from the Stornoway Trust for the allocation of parking spaces within the Perceval Square Car Park.  The Report indicated that there was currently an informal arrangement with the Trust for the allocation of dedicated parking spaces at the Estate Office and the Report sought to formalise the arrangement.

 

It was agreed to recommend that two dedicated parking spaces within the Perceval Square Car Park adjacent to the Estate Office be made available to the Stornoway Trust.

 

 

 

 

Mr Murdo A Murray declared an interest and left the meeting during consideration of the following item.

 

Lease for Free Church Car Park, Stornoway

T09.01

 

23

The Depute Director of Technical Services submitted a Report seeking approval for the Comhairle to lease the car park at Stornoway Free Church for public use on Mondays – Saturdays, 8.00am – 6.00pm.

 

It was agreed to recommend:

 

(1)                 approval of the lease of the Free Church Car Park for public use at an annual rent of £4,800 with the commencement date of April 2004 and that the lease is reviewed annually commencing April 2005 rising in accordance with the harmonised index of inflation; and

 

(2)                 that the Director of Corporate Services in conjunction with the Depute Director of Technical Services be authorised to prepare a lease for the Free Church Car Park.

 

 

Request for Transfer of Bus Shelter

T05.01

 

24

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing proposals to transfer a redundant bus shelter at Marybank to Crossbost, on the basis that the base unit of the shelter will be provided from Ward Initiative funding.

 

It was agreed to recommend that the redundant bus shelter at Marybank be transferred to Crossbost on the basis that the base is provided by the Ward Initiative Fund for the North Lochs ward.

 

 

Supply of General Civil Engineering Materials

T12.62

 

25

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing a list of suppliers of General Civil Engineering Materials for the 2004/05 financial year.

 

It was agreed to recommend approval of the list of suppliers of General Civil Engineering Material for 2004/2005 as detailed in the Report.

 

 

 

 

It was agreed that the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Item 26 below, on the grounds that exempt information as defined in paragraph 6, 8 and 9 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; 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 and any terms proposed or to be proposed to the Comhairle in the course of negotiations for a contract for the acquisition of property.

 

Road Marking Equipment

T08.05

 

26

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report seeking authority to purchase Road Marking equipment.  Quotations had been obtained from two suppliers and Technical Services staff were evaluating these quotations in relation to reliability, cost of replacement parts and maintenance.

 

It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle approve the acquisition of replacement road marking equipment at an estimated cost of £18k with the costs being met from the Revenue Underspend for 2003/04 within Technical Services budget on the basis that the Director of Technical Services, in consultation with the Director of Corporate Services, Chairman of Transportation and Vice-Convener be authorised to accept the most economically advantageous quotation.

 

 

 

 

PERFORMANCE MONITORING

 

Reports Outstanding

PR33.01.12

 

27

The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report detailing those Reports outstanding, arising from decisions of the Committee.

 

It was agreed to recommend that the Report be noted.