COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Wednesday 29 March 2000 at 11.00 am
PRESENT |
Mr Norman A Macdonald (Chairman) |
|
Mr Donald Manford (Vice-Chairman) |
Mr Alasdair G Macrae | |
Mr Roderick Morrison |
Mr Angus Campbell | |
Mr Alexander A Macdonald |
Mr Donald J Macsween | |
Mr Angus M Graham |
Mr Donald Macdonald | |
Mr Malcolm J Graham |
Mr Donald Maclean | |
Mr Angus Nicolson |
Mr Ronald J Mackinnon | |
APOLOGIES |
Mr Roderick J Murray |
|
Transportation Committee C02.01 |
24* |
The Minute of Meeting of 2 February 2000 was approved. |
Arising from consideration of this item it was agreed: (1) that the Director of Technical Services would present a Report to the next Meeting detailing the level of provision for unadopted roads for 2000/2001; and (2) to recommend that any surplus within the Winter Maintenance Budget 1999/2000 be allocated to unadopted roads. | ||
Transportation Committee C02.01 |
25 |
The Minute of Meeting of 8 March 2000 was approved. |
FINANCE | ||
Tender Monitoring T12.62 |
26 |
The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the comparison of tender amounts, actual costs and, where appropriate, projected final costs for those Transportation Schemes where the tender price was in excess of £75k. It was agreed to note the Report. |
TRANSPORT POLICY | ||
Guidance for Local Transport Strategy T03.01 |
27 |
With reference to Item 53 of the Minute of Meeting of 16 June 1999 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the Scottish Executive's timetable for the submission of Local Transport Strategies. In order to allow sufficient time to carry out necessary consultation, the Scottish Executive have extended the timescale for submission of Local Transport Strategies and had invited Local Authorities to submit their full strategies by the end of October 2000. It was agreed to note the Report. |
AIR SERVICES | ||
Mainland Air Services T04.02.03 |
28* |
The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the operation of air services to and from the mainland in terms of reliability and punctuality. There had been a significant improvement in British Regional Airlines performance across both the Stornoway and Benbecula routes and the reliability and punctuality of Loganair's operation on the Inverness to Stornoway route had been good to date. |
It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the analysis of flight cancellations and delays on mainland air services be noted; (2) the Director of Technical Services be authorised to commend British Regional Airlines for the improvements made over the previous year on the reliability and punctuality of their services; (3) the Director of Technical Services be authorised to commend Loganair for the initial results on the Inverness to Stornoway route in respect of reliability and punctuality; (4) the Director of Technical Services be authorised to make representations to British Regional Airlines and Loganair requesting the introduction of a discount scheme for people employed in the oil industry; and (5) the Director of Technical Services be authorised to make representations to British Regional Airlines and Loganair Ltd requesting the reinstatement of the Apex Fare. | ||
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 in terms of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 as defined in Standing Order 26 (i) would be disclosed namely, the amount of any expenditure proposed to be incurred by the Comhairle under any particular contract for the acquisition of property for the supply of goods and services | ||
Inter-island Air Service - Contractual Position T04.02.03 |
29* |
With reference to Item 12 of the Minute of Meeting of 2 February 2000 the Director of Technical Services and Director of Corporate Services submitted a joint Report detailing the contractual position in relation to the Inter-Island Air Service. The Report clarified the options available to the Comhairle in respect of the Inter-Island Air Service including clarification of the implications of not extending the current contract and the introduction of more stringent penalty clauses. |
It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the analysis of flight cancellations and delays in the Inter-island Air Service be noted; (2) the current contractual position in the event of non performance of the contract for the Inter-island Air Service be noted; (3) the Director of Corporate Services, in consultation with Director of Technical Services be authorised to exercise the Comhairle's option to offer an extension of 1 year to the existing contract from 5 August 2000 to Loganair Ltd on the terms and conditions of the existing contract if considered appropriate; and (4) if necessary, the Director of Corporate Services, in consultation with the Director of Technical Services, be authorised to promote a Public Service Obligation for the Inter-Island Air Service and to go to tender. | ||
It was unanimously agreed that in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 17 of the Scheme of Administration the Committee determined recommendation (4) above on behalf of the Comhairle under Delegated Powers to allow action on the promotion of a Pubic Service Obligation for the Inter-Island Air Service to be commenced prior to the next Meeting of the Comhairle. | ||
Arising from consideration of this Item it was agreed that the Director of Technical Services would submit a Report to the next Meeting outlining the Streetlight Programme for 2000/01. | ||
Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd T04.01 |
30 |
The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the landing, parking, passenger load supplements and security charges to be applied by Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd at each of the airports under its jurisdiction with effect from 1 April 2000. |
It was agreed to note the revisions to the Highlands and Islands Airport Ltd charges which will come into effect from 1 April 2000. | ||
British Regional Airlines - Revised Fare Structure T04.02.05 |
31 |
The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the revised fare structure to be implemented by British Regional Airlines and which was based on an average increase of 3.5%. |
It was agreed to note the Report. | ||
SEA TRANSPORT | ||
Cal-Mac Winter Timetables 2000/2001 T06.01.02 |
32 |
The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the draft Winter Timetables to be operated by Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd. Copies of the draft timetables were appended to the Report and the main alterations in the timetables were detailed. |
It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services be authorised to make representations to Cal-Mac Ltd in respect of the draft Winter timetables 2000/2001 requesting that: (1) in respect of the Stornoway - Ullapool service the late sailing on a Saturday night be reinstated, with the first sailing on Saturday being at 7.30 am from Stornoway with an afternoon layover in Ullapool to allow passengers to make onward connections; (2) there was one sailing to and one sailing from Harris and Lochmaddy each day; (3) in respect of the Sound of Harris Ferry Service, later afternoon sailings be introduced in the shoulder period when daylight hours permit on Mondays to Fridays; (4) the proposals to introduce new vessels be implemented at the earliest opportunity; and (5) specific retiming of the Oban ferry service should be included to accommodate the January sale. | ||
Mr Alexander A Macdonald, seconded by Mr Angus Nicolson, moved as a motion that the Comhairle do not request Sunday sailings for Lewis and Harris in line with current Comhairle Policy. Mr Donald J MacSween, seconded by Mr Ronald J Mackinnon, moved as an amendment that the Comhairle request Sunday sailings for Lewis and Harris. On the matter being put to the vote the motion received the majority of votes cast and it was agreed to recommend accordingly. | ||
Arising from consideration of this Item it was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services be authorised to make representations to Cal Mac Ltd expressing concern at the proposed removal of the Mallaig service from the Summer timetables after those timetables had been published. | ||
Fares Review - Eriskay - Barra Ferry Service T06.02.03 |
33*` |
With reference to Item 11 of the Minute of Meeting of 2 February 2000 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report clarifying the proposed changes to the fares and charges in respect of the Sound of Eriskay and the Sound of Barra Ferry Services from 1 April 2000. |
It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services be authorised to apply the fares and charges to the Sound of Eriskay vehicle and passenger services and the Sound of Barra passenger service as detailed in the appendix to the Report. | ||
It was unanimously agreed that in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 17 of the Scheme of Administration the Committee determine the above recommendation on behalf of the Comhairle under delegated powers to allow the fare structure to be introduced from 1 April 2000 and on the grounds that the recommendations was not contentious and did not breach a major policy consideration of the Comhairle. | ||
ROAD TRANSPORT | ||
The Integrated Transport Bill T01.06.22 |
34* |
The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the Scottish Executive's proposals as outlined in the Integrated Transport Bill. The Executive were proposing to joint commission with Highlands and Islands Local Authorities and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, a thorough examination of the issues involved in establishing a Transport Authority for the Highlands and Islands. The study would consider the scope and functions, geographical boundaries, financial management, value for money systems and democratic accountability of the Transport Authority. |
It was agreed to recommend that the: (1) action of the Director of Technical Services in submitting comments to the Scottish Executive on the Integrated Transport Bill be homologated; (2) Comhairle contribute up to a maximum of £10k to the joint commissioning of a study of the issues associated with the possible establishment of a Transport Authority for the Highlands and Islands. | ||
Community Transport Initiatives T03.02 |
35* |
With reference to Item 29 in the Minute of Meeting of 10 March 1999 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the financial support provided to Community Based Transport Projects under the Rural Transport Initiatives. The Report detailed the schemes being run under the initiative and indicated that four local community groups had successfully secured grants totalling over £100k from the Scottish Executive. Local Communities would be invited to submit proposals for Community Transport Schemes to the next meeting. |
It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the success of the locally based services in Carloway, Lochmaddy and by the Alzheimers Groups in meeting the needs of local groups, especially the elderly and infirm, be noted; (2) future funding of Community Transport Schemes would be dependent on applications being made to the Scottish Executive's Community Transport Budget for funding support and, where appropriate, charges equivalent to local bus fares would be levied on service users; (3) the allocation of the final instalment of this years grant to: Lochmaddy Afternoon Club £112 Disability Lewis £620 (4) the success of community groups in securing funding from the Scottish Executive be noted; (5) the allocation of funds from the 2000/2001 Rural Transport Funds be approved as follows: Disability Lews Experimental Dial a Bus Service £4k Iomairt Nis Local Shopping and Clinic Bus Service £1.3k; | ||
|
(6) the Director of Technical Services be authorised to approve grants for the following financial year as follows: Carloway Community Council £2.5k Lochmaddy Afternoon Club £800 (7) the Director of Technical Services be authorised to seek proposals from Communities for Community Transport Schemes. | ||
Stage and School Bus Services T05.01 |
36 |
The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the annual increase in contract prices to stage and school service operators under the terms and conditions of their individual contracts. An increase in subsidy/contract price of 2.1% (as set by the retail price index) would be applied to the second year of the current stage and school bus contracts and the Sound of Barra Ferry Service Contract. It was agreed to note the Report. |
Revisions to Bus Services T05.01 |
37* |
The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the £314k allocated to the Comhairle from the Scottish Executive Rural Transport Fund 2000/2001. The Report reviewed a number of evening and experimental bus services that had been operating over the previous year and outlined the tenders which had been received for the additional bus services. |
It was agreed to recommend that the: (1) Rural Transport Fund be allocated as follows: Contribution to maintain key network £105k Additional Services £135k Local Community Transport Schemes £17k Local Publicity/Infrastructure £15k Set-up Costs PTI 2000 £10k Additional Staffing Costs - Transport Section £16k Additional Staffing Costs - Harbours and Ferries £16k Total £314k (2) Director of Technical Services be authorised to accept the lowest tenders for the additional bus services, as detailed at the Meeting: (3) Director of Technical Services be authorised to implement the service revisions and changes to the level of service on side roads as detailed in the Report. | ||
ROADS AND HIGHWAYS | ||
Programme and Progress T08.01 |
38 |
The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the Capital Works Programme and Progress in respect of Transportation Schemes. |
It was agreed to note the Report | ||
Arising from consideration of this Item it was agreed that (1) the Director of Technical Services, in consultation with the Director of Corporate Services, Director of Finance and Chairman of Transportation be authorised to progress the contract for the Eriskay Causeway and Ceann Gharraidh slipway and Ardveenish Slipway with a "bolt on/bolt off" option for the slipway at Barra; and (2) the Director of Technical Services be authorised to arrange a ground breaking ceremony shortly after the award of the contract and that the MSP and the MP be invited as well as Members of the Transportation Committee. | ||
Roads Revenue Programme T12.02.01 |
39* |
The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the Roads Revenue Programme for 2000/2001. The Report summarised the proposed revenue expenditure and proposed programme for continuing maintenance undertaken to the roads network throughout the Comhairle's area. |
It was agreed to recommend approval of the Roads Revenue Programme 2000/2001 as detailed in the Report on the basis that minor changes would be necessary at Department level because of unforeseen remedial works and other uncertainties in programming. | ||
Arising from consideration of this Item it was agreed that the Director of Technical Services would submit a Report at the next Meeting detailing the mechanisms for prioritising schemes contained within the Roads Revenue Programme. | ||
Minor Roads Safety Improvements T08.05 |
40* |
The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing projects which had been suggested for prioritisation and inclusion in the Capital Programme under Minor Roads Safety Improvements. The Director of Technical Services indicated that Members could submit further schemes for consideration under Minor Road Safety Improvements no later than 14 April 2000. |
It was agreed to recommend that the Minor Roads Safety Improvements Scheme, as detailed in the Report, be approved for assessment and prioritisation under the Minor Roads Safety Improvements heading in the Capital Programme 2000/2003. | ||
Footpaths T12.67 |
41 |
The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the prioritised list of projects for inclusion in the Capital Programme under the Footpaths heading. The criteria for assessing schemes had been previously agreed by the Comhairle and remaining uncommitted schemes from previous programmes had been included in the new list for consideration. |
It was agreed to recommend that the prioritised All Footpaths Schemes detailed in the Report be approved for a Capital Programme 2000/2001 and that priorities 1-4 of the Footpaths on Main Roads List, priorities 1-3 of the Footpaths on Side Roads List and the Streets and Footpaths be commenced during the 2000/2001 Financial Year. | ||
Tourism Signposting Policy T09.04 |
42 |
The Acting Chief Executive submitted a Report concerning the Tourism Signposting Policy that had been produced by the Western Isles Tourism Signposting Group. The Policy would improve the information available to visitors, improve the Tourism product in the Western Isles and would help to regulate signage to attractions and other destinations. |
It was agreed to note the Report. | ||
Roads Revenue Programme: Scheme of Delegation Issues 2000/2001 T12.02.01 |
43 |
It was agreed to withdraw this Item. |
Mr Donald J Macsween and Mr Donald Macdonald declared an interest in and left the Meeting during consideration of the following Item. | ||
Policy Regarding Surfacing and Possible Breaches of the Scheme of Delegation T12.62.01 |
44* |
The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the historic practice in surfacing a 2m strip adjacent to the carriageway and any lay-by or access provided privately where such surfacing work would be of benefit to the general road user and there was resurfacing work ongoing and resources available. The Report highlighted areas where there may have been breaches of the Scheme of Delegation and retrospective approval of the actions taken was sought. |
It was agreed to recommend that the: (1) historic practice of undertaking the surfacing of a 2m strip adjacent to the carriageway and any lay-by or access provided privately, where such surfacing would be of benefit to the general road user and there was resurfacing work ongoing in the area, should become Comhairle policy; (2) action of the Director of Technical Services in authorising the surfacing works carried out on the frontages of No. 6 and 6a Sand Street be homologated; (3) action of the Director of Technical Services in authorising the surfacing the lay-by at the frontage of "Borva", Newpark , Laxdale be homologated; (4) action of the Director of Technical Services in authorising any of the surfacing of 2m strips and lay-by's detailed in the Report and supplementary Report circulated at the Meeting which may have been in breach of the Scheme of Delegation be homologated; and (5) Comhairle note that no aspersions were cast on any Comhairle Officer as a result of the Report and the breaches occurred because of the new interpretation of the Scheme of Delegation. | ||
Mr Donald Macdonald declared an interest and left the Meeting during consideration of the following item | ||
Transportation Revenue Works Requiring to be Reported T12.62.01 |
45* |
The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing Transportation Revenue Works which cannot be authorised under delegated powers as those involved are Members or officers of the Comhairle. |
It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services be authorised to undertake the Transportation Revenue Works detailed in the Report. | ||
Black Bridge, Gress River T12.65 |
46 |
The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning a request for repairs to be undertaken on the Black Bridge, Gress. The bridge formed a footbridge between lands in the ownership of the Stornoway Trust and it would be a matter for the Township Grazings Committee to take responsibility should they wish to continue to link the townships of Back and Gress. |
It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services be authorised to write to the Back and Gress Township Grazings Committees indicating that they should seek funding from the Scottish Executive for repairs to the Black Bridge, Gress. | ||
Cattlegrid - Eishken Road T08.03 |
47* |
With reference to Item 15 in the Minute of Meeting of 28 January 1998 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning an application for the installation of a cattle grid on an adopted road. Eishken Estate had reapplied for permission to install an additional cattle grid to the Comhairle's specifications on the Eishken Road and would bear all subsequent maintenance costs for the grid. |
It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services be authorised to allow Eishken Estate to install a cattle grid on the Eishken road to a specification acceptable to the Director of Technical Services and subject to the Estate agreeing to bear all subsequent maintenance costs for the grid. | ||
One Way Traffic System, Tarbert T09.05 |
48* |
With reference to Item 8 in the Minute of Meeting of 2 February 2000 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report identifying sources of funding for the provision of a one way traffic system in Tarbert. The existing Capital Programme included a sum of £10k for Tarbert One Way Land Acquisition and £64k for Tarbert Car Park. Members could also consider an allocation from the Minor Roads Safety Schemes Budget included within the 2000/2003 Capital Programme. |
It was agreed to recommend that the resources identified in the Report be used to promote the one way traffic system in Tarbert, Isle of Harris. | ||
Leverburgh Pier Road and Harbour Basin T09.05 |
49* |
The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the combination of the Leverburgh Pier Road and Harbour Basin development. The Harbour Basin Development and Breakwater had been included in the Capital Plan and it was proposed to progress the remainder of the breakwater on a similar basis to the previous works, utilising a motorised barge with lifting capability at an estimated cost of £70k. This would clear the stockpiled armour stones and leave the way clear for the combined Leverburgh Pier Road and Harbour Basin Project to be tendered on a lump sum basis within the envelope of the resources available. |
It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services, subject to the confirmation of adequate external funding, be authorised to: (1) progress the remainder of the Leverburgh breakwater works utilising a hired barge; (2) seek tenders for the Leverburgh Pier Road and Harbour Basin Development on a lump sum basis. | ||
Supply of General Civil Engineering Materials T12.62.05 |
50* |
The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing a list of suppliers who had expressed an interest in the supply of General Civil Engineering Materials to the Comhairle |
It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services be authorised to approve the list of suppliers detailed in the Report for general Civil Engineering Materials for the 2000/2001 Financial Year. | ||
PERFORMANCE MONITORING | ||
Reports Outstanding PR33.01.12 |
51 |
The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report detailing Reports Outstanding arising from decisions of Transportation Committee |
It was agreed to note the Report. |
ADDITIONAL ITEM | ||
Association for Public Service Excellence T01.04 |
52* |
The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report concerning the Transport Services Seminar being held in Aviemore on 2 - 5 May 2000 and run by the Association for Public Service Excellence. |
It was agreed to recommend that the Chairman or his nominee be authorised to attend the Transport Services Seminar in Aviemore on 2 - 5 May 2000. |
