Mtr9910

COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Wednesday 6 October 1999 at 11.00 am

PRESENT

Mr Angus M Graham (Chairman)

Mr Norman A Macdonald

Mr Alasdair G Macrae

Mr Malcolm J Graham

Mr Angus Campbell

Mr Roderick J Murray

Mr Ronald J Mackinnon

Mr Angus Nicolson

Mr Donald Manford

APOLOGIES

Mr Donald Macdonald (Vice-Chairman)

Mr Roderick Morrison

MINUTES

Transportation Committee

C02.01

100

The Minute of Meeting of 18 August 1999 was approved.

Transportation Sub-Committee

C02.01

101

The Minute of Meeting of the Transportation Sub-Committee of 30 June 1999 was noted.

Car Park Member/Officer Working Group

T01.02.03

102

The Minutes of Meetings of the Car Park Member/Officer Working Group of 23 August 1999 and 21 September 1999 were approved.

Highlands and Islands Integrated Transport Forum

T01.08.22

103

The Minute of Meeting of the Highlands and Islands Integrated Transport Forum of 31 August 1999 was noted.

FINANCE

Future of Capital Programme

PR110.02

104*

The Director of Finance submitted a Report regarding the capital planning process. The methods by which capital was financed were outlined in the Report. It was noted that there had been a trend of decline in capital allocations since 1992/93. The projected capital resources for the period 2000/01 to 2002/03 were set out in the Report. The key issues raised at a Seminar held on 7 September 1999 for Members to discuss the future capital programme were outlined in the Report, together with the outcome of consultation with Community Councils.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) projects for programme areas of greater than £1000,000 be managed through project planning techniques including critical path analysis, schedules of works and monthly cash flow forecasts;

(2) projects for programme areas of less than £100,000 be managed through a checklist setting out the major stages of the project, including land acquisition, planning consent and relevant crofting approval with Project Officers required to complete the checklist, signing and dating each stage of the project after it is completed;

(3) future capital programmes should not have a capital contingency;

(4) all capital slippage should be reallocated to projects which represented new opportunities, crises which need capital investment, acceleration of existing schemes or inclusion of previously rejected projects;

(5) project initiation reports should include a section on the recoverability of VAT and its effects on the project and the finances of the Comhairle as a whole;

(6) the weightings set out in Appendix 3 to the Minute for scoring project initiation reports be approved;

(7) the timetable for determining the capital programme as set out in Appendix 4 to the Minute be adopted;

(8) all projects for programme areas would require a project initiation report approved by the relevant Service Committee;

(9) the Director of Finance submit a Report to the next series of meetings setting out ways in which additional capital resources might be secured;

(10) the Director of Finance submit a paper setting out how any pre-viewing of project initiation reports might be managed including essential safeguards to ensure transparency;

(11) the Report to the January/February series of meetings recommending the new capital programme should include an overview setting out how projects address community needs and details of geographical distribution of projects; and

(12) Members be surveyed in January or February 2000 as to the success or otherwise of the process of setting the capital programme.

Project Initiation Report Bids

PR100.02

105*

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing a list of schemes which had featured in previous financial planning processes and which would be submitted at PIR for inclusion in the Capital Programme 2000/03.

It was agreed to recommend that

(1) PIR bids be prepared for the schemes listed in the Report for inclusion in the Capital Programme; and

(2) PIR bids be prepared for inclusion in the Capital Programme for:

Car Park, Castlebay £40k

Hard landscaping, Point Street £15k

SEA TRANSPORT

Caledonian MacBrayne Ferry Fares

T06.01.01

106*

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning an additional 1% to be charged on the Stornoway to Ullapool route from April 2000. At the recent Shipping Services Advisory Committee meeting Cal-Mac had indicated that an additional 1% above the general network increase of 2.5% would be charged on the Stornoway - Ullapool route. Cal-Mac also had an appeal outstanding against charges at Ullapool Pier and the outcome of this appeal may result in a further route specific increase.

The Report further indicated that a Meeting was being sought with the Scottish Executive and Cal-Mac to try to avert the increase.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services be authorised to:

(1) make representations to the Scottish Transport Minister about the additional increase on fares on the Stornoway to Ullapool route;

(2) make representations about the level of pier dues in general;

(3) investigate the formulation of Pier and Harbours dues at Stornoway in order to gauge the effect on Cal Mac charges;

(4) make representations to Cal Mac requesting the introduction of a flexible fare structure in order to maximise revenue on their routes;

(5) request that the Scottish Executive undertake a study to ascertain costs and income on Cal Mac routes; and

(6) liaise with Highlands and Islands Local Authorities through the Highlands and Islands Integrated Transport Forum to commission a study to ascertain the threats and opportunities associated with the formation of a Highland Transport Executive and that appropriate financial provision be made for the study.

Application for lease of Ferry Terminal Jetty - Ludaig

T06.02.03

107*

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning an application by Kilbride Shellfish Ltd for the lease of the ferry terminal jetty and adjacent land site at Ludaig Jetty. Due to the fast track of progress on the Eriskay Causeway the company had put their original project on hold and were prepared to modify their plans should the Comhairle agree, in principle, to lease the vehicular ferry slipway and adjacent land site once the vehicular service link between Eriskay and Ludaig was finally severed. The ferry slipway at Ludaig would become redundant at an early stage in the construction of the Eriskay Causeway and its future use was not deemed as being useful for other activities other than the type of activity proposed by Kilbride Shellfish Ltd.

It was agreed to recommend, in principle; that

(1) the vehicular ferry slipway and adjacent land site of approximately 487m² be leased to Kilbride Shellfish Ltd on severance of the vehicular ferry link between Eriskay and Ludaig; and

(2) the Director of Technical Services, in consultation with the Director of Corporate Services, be authorised to negotiate and agree the terms and conditions of the lease.

AIR TRANSPORT

New Air Service Schedules

T04.02.04

108*

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing schedules for the Stornoway to Inverness and Stornoway to Glasgow air services from January 2000. Following discussions between Comhairle nan Eilean, British Regional Airways Ltd and Loganair, the new Stornoway to Inverness to Edinburgh services had been announced on 7 September 1999 and Loganair had given a commitment that fares on the new service would be reduced if the service was well used.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the Comhairle welcome the new service for Stornoway to Inverness to Edinburgh; and

(2) the Director of Technical Services be authorised to liaise with Loganair and British Regional Airlines to seek out the best possible connection with the new services on both the mainland and on the inter-island routes.

ROADS AND HIGHWAYS

Programme and Progress

T08.01

109

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Capital Works Programme and Progress Report in respect of Road Schemes.

It was agreed to note the Report.

Highlands and Islands Paths Initiative

T12.07.01

110*

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning a paths initiative being promoted in the Highlands and Islands. The initiative was being promoted on a multi-agency basis involving HIE, SNH, National Trust for Scotland and Highlands and Islands Authorities. It was proposed to produce a strategy and develop a multi agency/organisation bid for European Funding.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services be authorised to prepare a PIR bid for resources to provide matching funds for a Highlands and Islands Paths Initiative Scheme in the Western Isles.

Road Safety

Request for Financial Assistance

T12.31

111*

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning a request for Financial support for the formation of a bus turning area in association with Ness Hall Environmental Improvements. The Report indicated that there was no financial provision for this type of work which was off-road and was a service provision for the development work at the Ness Hall. It was proposed, however, to submit the road corner adjacent to the development as a minor road safety scheme for inclusion in the 2000/2001 programme.

It was agreed to recommend that no financial assistance be made available for Transportation Committee for the proposed development but that the main road corner adjacent to the Ness Hall be considered in the Minor Road Safety Scheme Programme 2000/01.

B90 Grogarry/Loch Skipport Road - Proposed Weight Limit

T12.57

112*

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning proposals to apply an 8 tonne weight limit to the Grogarry/Loch Skipport Road. Damage to the road by articulated vehicles serving the fish farm site was now at the stage where the only solution could be a weight limit. The Report detailed the expenditure on overlay and surface dressing in addition to general patching and pothole repairs since 1996/97 on the road.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services be authorised to undertake the consultation process on the introduction of an 8 tonne weight limit on the B890 Grogarry/Loch Skipport Road.

PERFORMANCE MONITORING

Reports Outstanding: Progress

PR33.01.12

113

The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report detailing reports outstanding from decisions of Transportation Committee.

It was agreed to note the Report.

___

PRESENT	Mr Angus M Graham (Chairman)
	Mr Norman A Macdonald	Mr Alasdair G Macrae
	Mr Malcolm J Graham	Mr Angus Campbell
	Mr Roderick J Murray	Mr Ronald J Mackinnon
	Mr Angus Nicolson	Mr Donald Manford

APOLOGIES	Mr Donald Macdonald (Vice-Chairman)	Mr Roderick Morrison

		MINUTES
Transportation Committee C02.01	100	The Minute of Meeting of 18 August 1999 was approved.
Transportation Sub-Committee C02.01	101	The Minute of Meeting of the Transportation Sub-Committee of 30 June 1999 was noted.
Car Park Member/Officer Working Group T01.02.03	102	The Minutes of Meetings of the Car Park Member/Officer Working Group of 23 August 1999 and 21 September 1999 were approved.
Highlands and Islands Integrated Transport Forum T01.08.22	103	The Minute of Meeting of the Highlands and Islands Integrated Transport Forum of 31 August 1999 was noted.
		FINANCE
Future of Capital Programme PR110.02	104*	The Director of Finance submitted a Report regarding the capital planning process. The methods by which capital was financed were outlined in the Report. It was noted that there had been a trend of decline in capital allocations since 1992/93. The projected capital resources for the period 2000/01 to 2002/03 were set out in the Report. The key issues raised at a Seminar held on 7 September 1999 for Members to discuss the future capital programme were outlined in the Report, together with the outcome of consultation with Community Councils.
		It was agreed to recommend that:
		(1) projects for programme areas of greater than £1000,000 be managed through project planning techniques including critical path analysis, schedules of works and monthly cash flow forecasts;
		(2) projects for programme areas of less than £100,000 be managed through a checklist setting out the major stages of the project, including land acquisition, planning consent and relevant crofting approval with Project Officers required to complete the checklist, signing and dating each stage of the project after it is completed;
		(3) future capital programmes should not have a capital contingency;
		(4) all capital slippage should be reallocated to projects which represented new opportunities, crises which need capital investment, acceleration of existing schemes or inclusion of previously rejected projects;
		(5) project initiation reports should include a section on the recoverability of VAT and its effects on the project and the finances of the Comhairle as a whole;
		(6) the weightings set out in Appendix 3 to the Minute for scoring project initiation reports be approved;
		(7) the timetable for determining the capital programme as set out in Appendix 4 to the Minute be adopted;
		(8) all projects for programme areas would require a project initiation report approved by the relevant Service Committee;
		(9) the Director of Finance submit a Report to the next series of meetings setting out ways in which additional capital resources might be secured;
		(10) the Director of Finance submit a paper setting out how any pre-viewing of project initiation reports might be managed including essential safeguards to ensure transparency;
		(11) the Report to the January/February series of meetings recommending the new capital programme should include an overview setting out how projects address community needs and details of geographical distribution of projects; and
		(12) Members be surveyed in January or February 2000 as to the success or otherwise of the process of setting the capital programme.
Project Initiation Report Bids PR100.02	105*	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing a list of schemes which had featured in previous financial planning processes and which would be submitted at PIR for inclusion in the Capital Programme 2000/03. It was agreed to recommend that (1) PIR bids be prepared for the schemes listed in the Report for inclusion in the Capital Programme; and (2) PIR bids be prepared for inclusion in the Capital Programme for: Car Park, Castlebay £40k Hard landscaping, Point Street £15k

		AIR TRANSPORT
New Air Service Schedules T04.02.04	108*	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing schedules for the Stornoway to Inverness and Stornoway to Glasgow air services from January 2000. Following discussions between Comhairle nan Eilean, British Regional Airways Ltd and Loganair, the new Stornoway to Inverness to Edinburgh services had been announced on 7 September 1999 and Loganair had given a commitment that fares on the new service would be reduced if the service was well used. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the Comhairle welcome the new service for Stornoway to Inverness to Edinburgh; and (2) the Director of Technical Services be authorised to liaise with Loganair and British Regional Airlines to seek out the best possible connection with the new services on both the mainland and on the inter-island routes.
		ROADS AND HIGHWAYS
Programme and Progress T08.01	109	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Capital Works Programme and Progress Report in respect of Road Schemes. It was agreed to note the Report.
Highlands and Islands Paths Initiative T12.07.01	110*	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning a paths initiative being promoted in the Highlands and Islands. The initiative was being promoted on a multi-agency basis involving HIE, SNH, National Trust for Scotland and Highlands and Islands Authorities. It was proposed to produce a strategy and develop a multi agency/organisation bid for European Funding. It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services be authorised to prepare a PIR bid for resources to provide matching funds for a Highlands and Islands Paths Initiative Scheme in the Western Isles.
Road Safety Request for Financial Assistance T12.31	111*	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning a request for Financial support for the formation of a bus turning area in association with Ness Hall Environmental Improvements. The Report indicated that there was no financial provision for this type of work which was off-road and was a service provision for the development work at the Ness Hall. It was proposed, however, to submit the road corner adjacent to the development as a minor road safety scheme for inclusion in the 2000/2001 programme. It was agreed to recommend that no financial assistance be made available for Transportation Committee for the proposed development but that the main road corner adjacent to the Ness Hall be considered in the Minor Road Safety Scheme Programme 2000/01.
B90 Grogarry/Loch Skipport Road - Proposed Weight Limit T12.57	112*	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning proposals to apply an 8 tonne weight limit to the Grogarry/Loch Skipport Road. Damage to the road by articulated vehicles serving the fish farm site was now at the stage where the only solution could be a weight limit. The Report detailed the expenditure on overlay and surface dressing in addition to general patching and pothole repairs since 1996/97 on the road. It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services be authorised to undertake the consultation process on the introduction of an 8 tonne weight limit on the B890 Grogarry/Loch Skipport Road.