TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Wednesday 22 April 1998 at 11.00am

PRESENT	Mr Alexander A Macdonald (Chairman)
	Mr Donald Macdonald (Vice-Chairman)
	Mr Donald A Mackay	Mr Finlay Morrison
	Mr Norman A Macdonald	Mr Donald M Mackay
	Mr Angus M Graham	Mr Norman Macdonald
	Mr George Lonie	Mr Donald Maclean
	Mr Donald H M Maciver	Mr Colin Campbell
	Mr Iain Macsween	Capt Roderick Mackinnon

Transportation T02.01	43	MINUTES The Minute of Meeting of 11 March 1998 was approved, subject to the recommendation at item 39 being amended for clarity to read as follows:- "It was agreed to recommend that, where a request was made for servicing of an unadopted road serving as an access to a small pier, the expenditure be conditional on the consent of the majority of the interested parties to facilitate an unrestricted access to the pier.
Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd: Charges for 1998/99 T04.01	44	AIR TRANSPORT The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the increase in charges implemented by Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd for landing, parking, passenger load supplements and security charges at all Airports under its jurisdiction for 1998/99. The increases had come into effect on 1 April 1998. It was agreed to note the Report.
1st International Air Conference on Air Transport in Islands Territories of Europe T01.05	45*	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the 1st International Air Conference on Air Transport in Islands Territories of Europe which was held in Gran Canaria on 26-28 March 1998. The Report detailed the issues of relevance to na h-Eileanan an Iar which had emerged from the presentations and discussions at the Conference. It was agreed to recommend that, in the light of the discussions at the Conference, further representations be made by the Director of Technical Services on the following: (1) setting maximum fares structures on the island/mainland services and the possibility of a Public Service Obligation for these routes;
		(2) for both island/mainland and inter-island services, a system of social help directly to island resident passengers be introduced; (3) point to point costs for air fares on journeys such as Stornoway - Glasgow - Aberdeen; and (4) improved aircraft types on the island/mainland services as part of an improved standard of service which, if combined with reduced fares, should generate an increased demand response.
Road Traffic Reduction Act 1997: Draft Guidance T01.06	46*	ROAD TRANSPORT The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the Draft Guidelines on the implementation of the Road Traffic Reduction Act 1997 which had been issued by the Scottish Office. The Road Traffic Reduction Act placed a requirement on Local Authorities to develop strategies aimed at reducing traffic levels in their area and the Comhairle would need to be able to assess both current and future levels of traffic in na h-Eileanan an Iar to meet the requirements of the Act. This requirement may place a small additional financial burden on the Comhairle as automatic traffic counting equipment would be required. It was agreed to recommend that the Comhairle: (1) support the initiative to identify targets, where appropriate, for traffic reduction as detailed in the Road Traffic Reduction Act 1997, Draft Guidance to Local Authorities; and (2) welcome the scope for the development of traffic reduction alternatives as current restraint policy (increasing petrol tax) was principally aimed at reducing urban area congestion and had a disproportionate affect on rural areas.
Programme and Progress T08.01	47	ROADS The Director of Technical Services submitted a Capital Works Programme and Progress Report for Road Schemes. It was agreed to note the Report.
Roads Revenue Programme T12.62.01	48*	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the proposed Roads Revenue Programme for 1998/99. The Report detailed the continuing maintenance programme undertaken to the roads network throughout the Comhairle area on an annual basis, with these maintenance works including such items as resurfacing, surface dressing and general repairs. It was agreed to recommend approval of the Roads Revenue Programme 1998/99, as detailed in the Report, on the basis that minor changes might be necessary at departmental level because of unforeseen remedial works and other uncertainties in programming. Arising from consideration of this item the Chairman and Vice-Chairman expressed their thanks and appreciation to the officers of the Technical Services Department for their work in compiling the programme.
Transportation Capital Programme: Road Regrading and Strengthening Work T12.62	49*	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the decision to allocate £1 million of capital funding in 1998/99 to a programme of Road Regrading and Strengthening Work. The Report detailed a list of projects for inclusion in the Capital Programme which had been identified by maintenance staff during their inspections for the Revenue Estimates Programme. It was agreed to recommend that, the list of projects detailed in the Report be approved for inclusion in the Capital Programme for 1998/99 and the works be undertaken by the successful tenderer for the application of coated macadam.
Transportation Capital Programme: Special Sections of Routes - Major Road Safety T08.05.06	50*	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the allocation of £100K for Major Road Safety in 1998/99. The list of Schemes had not been determined and the Report indicated it may be reasonable to apply the allocation from special sections of routes to the existing priority list for Minor Road Safety Improvements for the current financial year to enable a better spread of Road Safety Improvement Schemes throughout na h-Eileanan an Iar. It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services be authorised to add the allocation of £100K for Special Sections of Routes - Major Road Safety to the £100K allocation for Minor Road Safety Improvements for 1998/99.
Request for Adoption of Sections of Unadopted Roads T12.02.01	51*	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning two requests for adoption of unadopted roads. The Report indicated that, adoption of these sections would set a president which could create difficulties in future, given that both sections would be difficult to take to an appropriate standard. The Report further indicated that the most appropriate way to deal with such sections would be to establish a classification C - unadopted roads and the criteria for such a category were detailed. It was agreed to recommend the establishment of a classification C in the unadopted roads list as detailed in the Report, in principle, on the basis that Members of the Comhairle submit requests for sections of unadopted roads within their Wards to be included in such a classification and the Director of Technical Services would then draw up a proposed priority list.
Footpaths on Main Roads T12.67	52*	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the £50K for Footpaths on Main Roads which was included in the Capital Programme 1998/99. The Report indicated the criteria for assessing such Schemes and presented a priority list of projects for inclusion in the Capital Programme 1998/99 under the Footpaths on Main Roads head. It was agreed to recommend that:- (1) the prioritised Footpaths on Main Roads Schemes detailed in the Report be approved; (2) re-prioritisation of the Lochmaddy - Bend at Sollas Crossroads Scheme be considered for the Capital Programme 1999/2000; and (3) priority 1, 2 and 3 Schemes be commenced in the 1998/99 financial year.
Footpaths on Side Roads T12.67	53*	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the sum of £50K which had been included for Footpaths on Side Roads in the Capital Programme 1998/99. The Report indicated the criteria for assessing these Schemes and presented a prioritised list of projects for inclusion in the Capital Programme 1998/99 under the Footpaths on Side Roads head. It was agreed to recommend that the prioritised Footpaths on Side Roads Scheme, detailed in the Report, be approved for the Capital Programme and that priority 1, 2 and 3 Schemes be commenced in the 1998/99 financial year.
Road Safety at Sir E Scott School, Tarbert T08.05.06	54*	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning road safety and traffic management issues associated with Sir E Scott School. Concern had been expressed over a period of time by the School Board, Parents and the Local Member regarding the road safety implications associated with Sir E Scott School. The Technical Services Department had implemented a number of road safety measures over the past year with a view to improving the situation and increasing driver awareness in the vicinity of the school. The Report detailed other road safety works proposed for the current financial year. It was agreed to recommend that, in order to further improve pupil safety and increase driver awareness, the Director of Technical Services be authorised to install School Crossing Patrol Amber Flashing Lights to the west of the Primary School and to the east of the Mill Building access in order that the entire Sir E Scott School campus would be included.
Annual Supply of General Civil Engineering Materials T12.62.04	55*	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the list of suppliers for General Civil Engineering Materials for 1998/99. It was agreed to recommend approval of the list of suppliers for General Civil Engineering Materials for the 1998/99 financial year as detailed in the Report.
		It was agreed that, in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item on the grounds that exempt information defined in Standing Orders 26(i) and (j), namely, information relating to any terms proposed or to be proposed by or to the Comhairle in the course of negotiation for a contract for the acquisition or disposal of property or the supply of goods or services and the identity of the Comhairle as the person offering any particular tender for a contract for the supply of goods or services, would be disclosed.
Annual Supply and Delivery of Coated Macadam T12.62.05	56*	The Director of Technical Services submitted an oral update in respect of the annual supply and delivery of Coated Macadam. There would be a delay in this contract as it would have to be advertised throughout Europe and it would be necessary to extend the current contract until such time as a new contract could be awarded. It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services be authorised to extend the current contract for the annual supply and delivery of Coated Macadam until such time as the new contract for 1998/99 or 1998/2000 could be awarded. It was agreed that, in accordance with the provision of paragraph 17 of the Scheme of Administration, the Committee determine the above recommendation on behalf of the Comhairle under delegated powers on the basis that the recommendation was not contentious and did not breach a major policy position of the Comhairle.
Surface Dressing Contracts T12.62.02	57*	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the tenders received for Surface Dressing Contracts 1998/99. The Report detailed the assessment of the tenders in respect of the price and quality. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the actions of the Director of Technical Services in issuing tender documents to W M Mackenzie (Contractors) Limited, be approved; and (2) the Director of Technical Services be authorised to accept the tender from Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Technical Services Department, Roads DSO, for surface dressing in Lewis, Harris, Uists and Barra for the 1998-2001 period. It was agreed that in accordance with the provision 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 contract to start immediately and on the basis that the recommendation is not contentious and did not breach a major policy position of the Comhairle.
Flooding at Branahuie DS62.01	58*	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the area of land behind the shingle bank at Branahuie which tended to flood during the winter. The shingle bank prevented direct drainage of the area behind it and a substantial area of fresh water flooding could occur during periods of heavy rainfall. The Report further indicated that a piped drainage system through the shingle bank had been completely buried and blocked by movements of the shingle and possible measures to alleviate the situation were detailed. It was agreed to recommend that, in order to protect the Comhairle's assets, consideration be given to the installation of a piped drainage system through the shingle bank at Branahuie to alleviate the flooding problems at a cost of £12k, to be funded out of a Capital Slippage.
Reports Outstanding PR33.01.12	59	PERFORMANCE REVIEW With reference to item 42 of the Minute of Meeting of 11 March 1998, 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 ITEM
		The Chairman ruled, in accordance with the provision of Section 59B(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, as detailed in terms of Standing Order 8, the following items be considered as matters of urgency in order to allow the Committee to take a view on the matters prior to the next meeting of the Comhairle.
Cal-Mac: Ferry Services T06.01.03	60	The Director of Technical Services reported that the ferry "Isle of Lewis" had suffered a fault and was being temporarily replaced by another vessel. This problem highlighted the lack of relief vessels available to Caledonian MacBrayne. The Director of Technical Services stated that he would be making written representations on the matter. It was agreed to note the Report.
Rural Transport Initiatives T03.02	61*	The Director of Technical Services reported that a draft paper on Rural Transport Initiatives had been forwarded to the Comhairle and a response was required by 23 April 1998. Members were informed of the contents of the proposed response. It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services be authorised to respond to the Scottish Office in respect of the Rural Transport Initiatives.
		It was agreed that, in accordance with the provision of paragraph 17 of the Scheme of Administration, the Committee determine the above recommendation on behalf of the Comhairle under delegated powers to allow a response to be made by the deadline and on the basis that the recommendation was not contentious and did not breach a major policy position of the Comhairle.