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MINUTES
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Transportation
Committee
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1
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The Minute of
Meeting of 13 June 2006 was approved.
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Mr Alex A
MacDonald declared an interest and left the meeting during consideration of
the following item.
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Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership
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2
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The Minute of
Meeting of the Highlands and Islands
Transport Partnership of 7 July 2006 was noted.
Arising from consideration of this item it was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle re-affirm its support for the
Lochboisdale – Mallaig ferry service.
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Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership
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3
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The Minute of
Meeting of the Highlands and Islands Transport
Partnership of 4 August 2006 was noted.
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Mr Malcolm J
Graham declared an interest and left the Meeting during consideration of the
following item.
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Taxi/Private
Hire Car Licensing Panel
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4
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The Minute of
Meeting of the Taxi/Private Hire Car Licensing Panel of 25 July 2006 was noted.
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Stornoway
Town Centre Permit Sub-Committee
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5
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The Minute of
Meeting of Stornoway Town Centre Permit Sub-Committee of 8 August 2006 was noted.
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Declaration of
Interests
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6
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Mr Donald
Macdonald declared an interest and left the meeting during consideration of
items 27 and 28.
Mr Malcolm J
Graham declared an interest and left the meeting during consideration of item
4
Mr Alex A MacDonald
declared an interest and left the meeting during consideration of items 2, 13,
14, 15 and 16.
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FINANCE
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General Fund Revenue Monitoring 2006/07
PR110.05
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7
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With reference
to item 10 of the Minute of Meeting of 13 June 2006 the Director of Finance
submitted a Report detailing the Comhairle’s Forecast Revenue Outturn for
2006/07. The Report provided a summary
of the financial performance to the end of June 2006 and indicated that the
forecast outturn at the end of the first quarter showed a net overspend of
£681K.
It was agreed to recommend that, in so far as the
Committee’s interests were concerned, the Comhairle:
(1)
note the Report; and
(2)
require the Director of Social Work and Corporate Services, in
consultation with the Director of Finance, to report to the October series of
meetings on options to bring their budgets back into balance during this
financial year.
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General Fund Capital Monitoring 2006/07
PR100.03
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8
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With reference
to Item 11 of the Minute of Meeting of 13 June 2006 the Director of Finance
submitted a Report detailing the forecast outcome for the Comhairle’s Capital
Programme as at June 2006. The Report
stated that forecast capital expenditure in 2006/07 was expected to be £31.6
million and, if this level of expenditure were to be achieved it would
require the acceleration of resources from 2007/08 as it was £3.8 million
above available resources.
It was agreed to recommend that, in so far as the
Committee’s interests were concerned, the Comhairle approve the Forecast
Out-turn as the Revised Approved Programme for 2006/07 and specifically
approve:
(1) in the Education Capital Programme,
slippage of £837k, including:
£209k in the Boiler
Plant Replacement Programme
£50k in the Schools
Accessibility Programme
£100k in the Water
Services Improvement Programme
£53k in the Window
Replacement Programme
£83k in the Toilet
Improvement Programme
£67k for Energy
Improvements in Sir
E Scott
School
£100k for Structural
Improvements to Schools
£50k for Traffic
Management
£60k for HORSA
Replacement
£65k for Safer School
Playgrounds;
(2) in
the Environmental Services Capital Programme, acceleration of £22k in the ACE
grant scheme;
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(3) in
the Transportation Capital Programme, acceleration of £263k in the Spinal Route
project and £3k for Amenity lighting; slippage of £529k for work on the North
Ford Causeway and £110k on Alternative Energy Projects;
(4) in
the Arts and Leisure Capital Programme, slippage of £87k for work at Lews Castle
and £60k for work to play areas; and
(5) in
the Policy and Resources Capital Programme, slippage of £61k in work to the
Comhairle Offices.
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Repairs and Maintenance Expenditure
Programme
PR33.01.12
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9
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The Director of Technical Services
submitted a Report detailing expenditure upon the repair and maintenance of
properties held on the Transportation account to June 2006.
It
was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle note the Report.
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HITRANS Capital Projects 2006/07 – Low
Floor Buses
T01.08.22
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10
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With reference
to Item 15 of the Minute of Meeting of 13 June 2006 the Director of Technical
Services submitted a Report in relation to options for the purchase or grant
aid of low floor buses through the capital funding allocated by HITRANS for
public transport projects. The Report
stated that the Scottish Executive had advised that HITRANS funding could not
be used to provide capital grants to bus operators and could only be used to
provide assets that would be owned by public sector agencies. Officers were investigating options for the
partial grant aid and part lease schemes for funding low floor buses and were
seeking further advice from the Scottish Executive.
It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle note
the actions proposed by HITRANS in relation to low floor buses and that a
further progress Report would be brought to the Transportation Committee in
October 2006.
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TRANSPORT
STRATEGY
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Local Transport Strategy – Development
Programme
T03.01
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11
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The Director
of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing a proposed programme for
the development of a revised Local Transport Strategy. The Report highlighted the key elements
which would form part of the development of the Local Transport Strategy and
specific technical assistance, which would be required to take forward some
aspects of the strategy and would be funded from the existing Roads
Maintenance Budget.
It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle
approve the programme for the development of the new Local Transport
Strategy.
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AIR
SERVICES
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Highland Airways – Additional Services and Air Service Contract Timetable
Changes
T04.02
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12
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The Director
of Technical Services submitted a Report in relation to a request from
Highland Airways to amend the timing for Stornoway to Benbecula PSO Services
to enable additional flights to added to Highland Airways Western Isles schedules.
It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle homologate
the decision of the Director of Technical Services to accept the proposed
changes to the timing of the Stornoway - Benbecula and Benbecula - Stornoway
flights to enable the service improvements proposed by Highland Airways, as
shown in Appendix 1 to the Report, to be implemented at an early date.
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PIERS
AND FERRY SERVICES
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Mr Alex A MacDonald
declared an interest and left the meeting during consideration of items 13,
14, 15 and 16.
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Northern Isles
Commercial Vehicle Fares
T06.01
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13
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The Director
of Technical Services submitted a Report in relation to the commercial fare
charges on the new contract for the Northern Isles ferry services. The Report stated that Ministers had wished
to bring the freight element of the services within the terms of the subsidy
contract and so be able to specify freight tariffs. The effect was a 90% reduction on rates for
Orkney – Aberdeen and a 25% reduction for Shetland – Aberdeen. There was no reduction for the Scrabster –
Stromness service.
It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle:
(1)
note the discount recently applied to the commercial vehicle rates
charged on the new Northlink ferry services; and
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(2)
approve that the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Vice-Convener would
meet with Mr Alasdair Morrison MSP in order to discuss the MSP’s recent
statement on a Ferry Discount Scheme.
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Ferry Fares
Pilot Study – Progress
DS40.01.02
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14
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The Director
of Technical Services and Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a
Report in relation to proposals for the introduction of a Business Development
Scheme which would seek to stimulate inter-island economic activity. The Report highlighted the overall objectives
of the Scheme, the proposed criteria for entry and indicated that the Scheme
would be subject to detailed monitoring and evaluation in order to measure
the outcomes and impacts.
It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle agree
the principles set out in the Report for the development of the
“Inter-Islands Business Development Scheme”.
Arising from consideration of this item it was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle authorise the Director of Technical
Services to submit a Report to a future meeting on potential funding sources
to continue the Pilot Studies for a four year period.
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Sound of
Harris Ferry Service - Extension to Sailing Hours
T06.03
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15
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The Director
of Technical Services submitted a Report in relation to the Marine Coastguard
Agency’s announcement that it had granted an extension of 1 hour before
sunrise to the sailing hours permitted on the Sound of Harris ferry
service. The extension was the result
of the installation of several risk control measures, including the
improvement of navigation aids in the Sound and the main benefit to customers
would be an earlier crossing on most sections of the timetable, a greater
consistency of departure and arrival times and a reduction in the number of
timetable changes during the year.
It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle
welcome the extension to sailing hours for the Sound of Harris Ferry Crossing
and authorise the Director of Technical Services to continue to liaise with
relevant stakeholders with a view to enabling the agreement of a further
extension to one hour after sunset.
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Stornoway to
Ullapool Replacement Vessel Study
T06.01
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16
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The Director
of Technical Services submitted a Report seeking approval to appoint
consultants to undertake an appraisal of options for the replacement of the
vessels on the Stornoway to Ullapool ferry service. The Report proposed that an initial scoping
study, identifying the options and bringing forward proposals for the future
operation of vessels on the route should be commissioned which could prepare
the ground for a full STAG appraisal in the future.
It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle agree,
subject to the approval of the funding from HITRANS, that the consultants
shown in the Appendix to the Report, be invited to submit a tender to
undertake a scoping study for the replacement of the vessels on the Stornoway
to Ullapool Service, with final details of the brief being approved by the
Chairman of the Ferry Fares Working Group in consultation with the Director
of Technical Services.
Arising from consideration of this item it was
agreed to recommend that the Comhairle make representations seeking that
HITRANS and the Scottish Executive undertake a full STAG appraisal on the
Stornoway – Ullapool route.
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Review of
Scottish Ports Policy - Scottish Executive Consultation
T07.02
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17
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The Director
of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing a proposed response to the
Scottish Executive’s consultation on the Review of Scottish Ports
Policy. The Comhairle’s response was
targeted towards raising awareness of the social and community importance of
island ports and the need for any review to take cognisance of these factors.
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It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle
approve the response detailed in paras 5.1 to 5.7 of the Report to the
consultation by the Scottish Executive on the Review of the Scottish Ports
Policy.
It was agreed to determine the above recommendation
on behalf of the Comhairle under delegated powers to enable a response to be
submitted by the deadline, on the basis that the recommendation was not
contentious and did not breach a major policy consideration of the Comhairle.
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Outer Hebrides Coastal Marine
Partnership
DS60
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18
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With reference
to Item 17 of the Minute of Meeting of 15 June 2006 the Director of Technical
Services submitted a Report concerning the membership of the Outer Hebrides
Coastal and Marine Partnership Forum.
It was intimated in the Report that the launch of the partnership had
taken place in Benbecula on 6 July 2006 and that approximately 80 people had
attended the launch with a range of speakers giving presentations on
integrated coastal zone management topics including:
(a)
national and international
perspectives;
(b)
effects of climate change on
soft, sandy coasts;
(c)
comparisons between coastal
erosion being experienced in Nova Scotia and
the Hebrides;
(d)
the Loch Roag site
optimisation plan;
(e)
the importance of fishing to
the local economy; and
(f)
the potential for the
development of marinas in the Hebrides.
The proposed
structure for the partnership was detailed at Appendix 1 to the Report and it
was further intimated that the Forum would be established and would function
within the partnership.
It was
envisaged that the Comhairle would appoint four members to the Forum with
representatives from each of the Transportation, Sustainable Development,
Environmental Services and Policy and Resources Committees.
It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle
approve the appointment of Mr Donald Manford as Transportation Committee
representative on the Outer Hebrides Coastal Marine Partnership Forum, with
Mr Ronald J Mackinnon appointed as substitute Member.
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ROADS INFRASTRUCTURE
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Programme and
Progress
PR33.01.12
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19
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The Director
of Technical Services submitted a Programme and Progress Report in respect of
Technical Services properties.
It was agreed to recommend that Comhairle note the
Report.
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The Sound of
Harris Renewable Energy Generation Feasibility Study
DS61.19
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20
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The Director
of Technical Services submitted a Report in relation to the jointly funded
feasibility study investigating the potential for generating energy from
renewable energy sources available within the Sound of Harris and to assess
the feasibility of providing a transportation link across the most
significant gap in the Outer Hebrides spinal
route. The Report stated that the
feasibility study demonstrated that a fixed link across the Sound of Harris
was technically feasible and could demonstrate a positive net present value
after 50 years when incorporated with potential income generated by the sale
of renewable electricity.
It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle:
(1)
welcome the proposal to establish a fixed link across the Sound of
Harris and establish a Project Steering Group tasked with progressing the
delivery of this significant infrastructure project;
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(2) approve the nomination of Mr Donald
Manford and Mr Alex MacDonald as Transportation Committee representatives on
the Project Steering Group and that, until May 2007, the Elected Members for
Harris and North Uist be appointed to the Steering Group;
(3) invite Western Isles Enterprise to nominate
two representatives to sit on the Project Steering Group;
(4)
authorise the Chief Executive, in consultation with the relevant
Service Directors, to appoint Officers to the Project Steering Group; and
(5)
in light of the importance of Renewable Energy, make
representations to Mr Angus MacNeil,
MP seeking his support for the capping of transmission charges.
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Western Isles Spinal Route
- Scoring Criteria
T08.01
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21
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With reference
to item 20 of the Minute of Meeting of 13 June 2006 the Director of Technical
Services submitted a Report in relation to the process by which future
Western Isles spinal route projects would be scored against approved
criteria. The Report detailed the
previously approved criteria and weighting and highlighted how prospective
projects would be scored.
It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle note
the additional details provided in respect of the criteria and weightings to
be used in the prioritisation of future Western Isles Spinal Route projects.
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It was agreed that,
under the terms of Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act
1973, the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during
consideration of the following Item 22 on the grounds that exempt information
as defined in Paragraph 6 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act would be disclosed,
namely, information relating to the financial or business affairs of any
particular person (other than the Comhairle)
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Roads to
Communities
T08.01
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22
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The Director of
Technical Services submitted a Report in relation to the Comhairle’s Roads to
Communities Programme. The Report
highlighted the budget shortfall for the A858 Breasclete Road Improvement
Project and detailed the tenders received for the Habost – Kershader Road
Improvement Project. The Report
further highlighted the projected budget shortfall between the two Projects.
It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle:
(1) note the increase in costs for the A858 Breasclete Road Improvement
Project;
(2) approve the re-scheduling of the remaining projects to
be delivered as part of the Roads to Communities Programme in order to
provide the necessary capital funding to address the budget shortfalls in the
A858 Breasclete Road and B8010 Habost - Kershader Road Improvement Projects;
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(3)
authorise the
Director of Corporate Services to award the contract for the B8010 Habost -
Kershader Road Improvement Project to Aggregate Industries for the sum of
£1,490,987.74 on a lump sum basis and on the basis of an amended Clause 12;
and
(4)
authorise
officers to look at potential funding sources to allow the next schemes on
the Roads to Communities Programme to be progressed within the 2004 – 2008
capital programme.
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Roads Revenue
Programme: Unadopted Roads
T08.01
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23
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The Director of
Technical Services submitted a Report in relation to the allocation of the
unadopted roads budget. The Report
stated that private roads meeting the approved criteria may be classed as
unadopted and revenue funding was provided for the repair and surfacing of
these roads and was allocated on a ward by ward basis. The Report further stated that
representations continued to be received from a number of communities which
were located on some of the longer lengths of these roads and which were
unable to fund the necessary repairs to these private roads and where ward
allocations were insufficient to carry them out. The Report highlighted options to provide
revenue funding for these special or emergency cases.
It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle
approve:
(1) the adoption of Option 3 as a
method for providing revenue funding within the Unadopted Roads budget for
special or emergency needs;
(2)
that a further Report be brought to the Committee in October 2006
seeking approval for a scheme of operation; and
(3) that the Director of Technical
Services submit a Report to a future meeting in relation to steps the
Comhairle could take to meet the aspirations of historical settlements in
relation to road services.
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Streetlighting
- Replacement Programme and Priorities
T08.05.01
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24
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The Director of
Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the proposed streetlighting
replacement programme for 2006/07 and 2007/08. The Report stated that the Comhairle had a
duty of care to ensure highway electrical equipment was maintained in a safe
condition and the Report stated that the available budget would be
prioritised for the replacement of existing systems in order to protect
public safety.
It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle agree
that:
(1) the allocation for 2006/07 be used
to replace the Back Main Road
Phase I (20 units), Kenneth
Street, Lochboisdale (10 units) and Scotland
Street (10 units) schemes on a progressive basis;
(2) the allocation for 2007/08 be used
to replace the Back Main Road
Phase II (15 units), Lochboisdale
Main Road Phase II (15 units) and Creagorry Main Road
Phase I (13 units) schemes on a progressive basis;
(3) the remaining budget be allocated
to cover the Leurbost MacDonald Gardens to Community Hall Phase I and II
schemes (45 units) with the proviso that, if these works can be incorporated
in the forthcoming capital road improvement scheme for the area, the funds
allocated would be released to allow consideration of additional schemes that
fall into Category 4; and
(4) the remaining schemes in Category 4
be prioritised for consideration in subsequent Capital Programmes.
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Stornoway
Town Centre Feature: Competition
AL07.01
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25
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With reference
to Item 19 of the Minute of Meeting of 30 August 2005 the Director of
Technical Services submitted a Report in relation to proposals to replace the
existing brick pyramid located at the junction of Cromwell Street and North
Beach Street and to run a competition and invite submissions for ideas to
provide an outstanding feature in the available area. The Report highlighted the design brief for
the provision of a new feature in Stornoway town centre.
It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle:
(1) approve the holding of a
competition for a new feature in Stornoway to replace the existing brick
pyramid;
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(2) approve the Brief as shown in
Appendix 2 to the Report including the proposed programme and the Panel
membership;
(3) approve
the appointment of Mr Keith Dodson to the Panel; and
(4) note that the final funding package
and that the recommendation of the Panel would be reported to the Comhairle
for a decision in December 2006.
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Minor
Roadworks - Offers of Assistance to Property Owners
T12.62
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26
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The Director
of Technical Services submitted a Report seeking approval to formalise the
practice of offering assistance to property owners when works were to be done
in conjunction with ongoing roadworks.
The Report stated that the Comhairle had an ongoing revenue-funded
programme of footway maintenance, including the resurfacing and re-kerbing of
existing footways. In order to avoid
disruption to householders who already had accesses, but no proper access
(dropped kerbs), it was the practice to offer those householders the
opportunity to have their accesses properly constructed at a reduced rate.
It was agreed to recommend, insofar as the
Committee’s interests were concerned, that the Comhairle agree:
(1) as policy the practice of offering
a discounted price to property owners for carrying out alterations to
existing accesses where the Comhairle were resurfacing the footway/road at
the location; and
(2) that works be carried out at the
home of the Director of Corporate Services in terms of this policy.
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It was agreed
that the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during
consideration of item 27 below 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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Mr Donald
Macdonald declared an interest and left the meeting during consideration of
item 27 and 28.
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Transportation
Area Maintenance Contracts 2007/08
T12.62
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27
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The Director of Technical Services
submitted a Report seeking to extend the execution of the engineering works
contracts in Lewis, Harris, Uist and Barra to 2007/08. The Report stated that the contract made
allowance for 2 one year extensions to cover the period April 2006/March 2008
and a previous extension had been agreed up to March 2007. The Report further stated that the client
was satisfied with the service levels provide by the contractors in all the
areas and that a further extension to the existing contracts would offer value
for money to the Comhairle.
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It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle agree:
(1) a one year extension from April 2007
to March 2008 of the four contract areas with the contract extensions being
awarded as follows:
Area 1 Lewis Aggregate Industries UK Ltd
Area 2 Harris CnES,
Commercial Operations Unit
Area 3 Uists CnES,
Commercial Operations Unit
Area 4 Barra John
MacLennan; and
(2)
any price adjustments would be undertaken using the Contract Price
Variation Clause.
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It was agreed
that the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during
consideration of item 28 below 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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Surface
Dressing Contracts 2007/08
T12.62.02
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28
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The Director of Technical Services
submitted a Report in relation to the surface dressing programme which had
been delivered for the previous five years by the Comhairle’s Commercial
Operation’s Unit in collaboration with Nynas Bitumen Supplies and Tayside
Contracts. The Report stated that the
contract conditions made allowance for 2 one year extensions and the COU had
indicated that they would wish for a further extension from 2007/08. The Report further stated that the quality
of work over the contract period had been good and any defects readily
sorted.
It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle agree
the extension of the Surface Dressing Contract with the Commercial Operations
Unit to March 2008 in line with the existing contract conditions and that any
price adjustment be based on the Contract Price Variation Clause.
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Storm Damage
Response Programme - Transportation Issues
PR100.01
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29
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The Director of Technical Services
submitted a Report detailing progress with the transportation aspects of the
post January 2005 storm repair and betterment programme. The Report stated that the Comhairle had
received confirmation of an award of £423K from the Scottish Executive to
allow the development of civil contingency measures in South Uist. The Report stated that officers were
currently liaising with local communities to ensure that the funds were spent
where those communities saw the greatest need.
It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle note
the progress of the transportation aspects of the post January 2005 storm
repair and betterment programme.
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