TR9808

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Wednesday 19 August 1998 at 11.00 a.m.

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 Donald Maclean

Mr George Lonie

Mr Colin Campbell

Mr Iain Macsween

Capt Roderick Mackinnon

APOLOGIES

Mr Norman Macdonald

Tribute: Mr John Maciver

The Chairman referred to Mr John Maciver, former Transport Officer with the Comhairle, and his wife, who had been injured in a car accident and wished them both a full and speedy recovery.

MINUTES

Transportation T02.01

80

The Minute of Meeting of 22 June 1998 was approved.

Transportation Sub-Committee

T01.02

81*

The Minute of Meeting of the Transportation Sub-Committee of 22 June 1998 was submitted.

It was agreed to recommend approval of the recommendations at item 6.

FINANCE

First Quarter Revenue Out-turn 1998/99

PR110.08.14

82

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report setting out the pattern of actual expenditure as against budgeted expenditure for the period 1 April 1998 - 30 June 1998.

It was agreed to note the Report.

Non-Housing Capital Monitoring - 1 April - 30 June 1998 PR110.01.25

83*

The Director of Finance submitted a Report concerning the Programme of Capital Expenditure for the 1998/99 financial year for all services except the Housing Revenue Account. The Report highlighted areas of overspend, underspend slippage within the programme.

It was agreed to recommend, insofar as the Committees interest was concerned, approval of the Forecast Out-turn as the revised Programme for Capital Expenditure 1998/99.

TRANSPORT POLICY

Scottish Integrated Transport White Paper

T01.06.22

84

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the Scottish Integrated Transport White Paper which had been published on 22 July 1998.

It was agreed to note 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 Order 26(i), 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 would disclosed.

Rural Transport Initiatives

T03.02

85*

With reference to item 65 of the Minute of Meeting of 10 June 1998 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the £296k allocated to the Comhairle from the Scottish Rural Transport Fund. Members and Community Councils had been asked to submit suggestions for the utilisation of the allocation in relation to rural public transport services. Details of various proposals were outlined in the Report.

It was agreed to recommend the Director of Technical Services be authorised to allocate the £296k from the Scottish Rural Transport Fund as follows:

(1) retention of existing feeder and other services in excess of current budget - £70k;

(2) additional cost of replacement Harris Bus Contract - £20k;

(3) general service improvements including evening services - £70k;

(4) improved transport facilities for the elderly and disabled by extension of feeder services and provision of drivers for Comhairle minibuses - £35k;

(5) enhancements to Eriskay Ferry Service - £16k

(6) provision for joint Highlands and Islands Computerised Timetable Initiative - £5k; and

(7) provision of lay-bys and Bus Shelters - £60k

(8) Additional Staff - £20k

It was unanimously agreed that in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 17 of the Scheme of Administration, the Committee determine recommendations (1), (2) and (3) above on behalf of the Comhairle under delegated powers to allow for an early start to the additional bus services and on the basis that the recommendations were not contentious and did not breach a major policy position of the Comhairle.

AIR TRANSPORT

Air Service Monitoring

T04.02.01

86*

With reference to item 66 of the Minute of Meeting of 10 June 1998 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the performance of British Regional Airlines on Western Isles routes. The Report detailed the percentage of flights which arrived/departed within fifteen minutes of schedule up to the end of July 1998. The results indicated further deterioration in the reliability of these Services.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services be authorised to make further representations to British Regional Airlines, in light of the lack of improvements to the punctuality in air services to the Western Isles.

SEA TRANSPORT

Ferry Fares Study - Draft Report

T06.01.01

87*

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the conclusions of the study into the impact of ferry fares on the Northern and Western Islands of Scotland. The study had been carried out by Cambridge Policy Consultants and detailed the effects of increases in ferry fares on the island economies.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) representations be made to the Scottish Office and to Caledonian MacBrayne seeking that any increases on Western Isles routes were kept at or below inflation in view of the conclusions of the study;

(2) the Chairman and his nominees be authorised to undertake a study visit to Norway to investigate their methods of subsidising ferry services;

(3) representations be made to the European Commission under Article 92 of the Treaty of Rome in respect of the effects of ferry fare increases on the economy of the Western Isles;

(4) the Director of Technical Services be authorised to investigate Cal Mac's operations, including the identification of the level of subsidy allocated to each Cal Mac ferry route; and

(5) representations be made to Cal Mac requesting that the Shipping Service Advisory Committees (North and South) be combined into one Committee.

Caledonian MacBrayne Limited Timetables - Summer 1999

T06.01.02

88*

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report outlining the draft timetable proposed to be introduced by Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd for the 1999 Summer period. Members were circulated with copies of representations which had been received from Councillor Colin Campbell, Northbay Community Council, Castlebay Community Council and Lochboisdale Community Council.

It was agreed to recommend that representations be made to Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd requesting;

(1) the retention of the Mallaig/Lochboisdale/Castlebay Service;

(2) the introduction of a late Saturday sailing on the Stornoway - Ullapool route; and

(3) the extension of the period whereby three daily sailings were provided on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on the Stornoway - Ullapool route to five months per year.

ROAD TRANSPORT

Stage Bus Contracts

T05.01

89*

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the current School, Stage and Integrated Bus Service Contracts which were due to terminate on 5 April 1999. The Report indicated that if the termination date was revised to 1 April 1999 the start date for the new contracts would then coincide with the start of the Cal Mac summer timetable. There would be no need to alter School Transport Contracts as the last day of operation under their existing contract would be the last day of term, Friday 26 March 1999.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Corporate Services be authorised to seek agreement from current Stage (and integrated) Bus Service Contractors to amend the termination date of their contracts to 1 April 1999.

ROADS

Programme and Progress T08.01

90

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

It was agreed to note the Report.

Arising out of consideration of this item it was agreed that the Director of Technical Services would submit a report detailing the road safety implications in respect of the bridge at Brue, Isle of Lewis.

Tender Monitoring

T12.62

91

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the tender amounts, actual costs and, where appropriate, projected final costs for those road schemes whereby the tender price for which was in excess of £75k.

It was agreed to note the Report.

Objective 1 - Stornoway Ferry Terminal T09.05.04

92

With reference to item 18 of the Minute of Meeting of 28 January 1998 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report indicating that the Highlands and Islands Partnership Programme had approved the Comhairle's request that the Sandwick Road/Island Road Junction Improvement be substituted for the Ferry Road/Rigs Road Scheme within the Objective 1 Application for the Stornoway Ferry Terminal (and Associated Traffic Management) Project. This agreement was on the condition that the grant available would not exceed that previously allotted to the Ferry Road/Rigs Road Scheme.

It was agreed to note the Report.

Revised Traffic Management Scheme at Castle Street, Stornoway

T09.05

93*

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing a revised traffic management scheme at Castle Street, Stornoway. The Report detailed the proposed scheme and indicated that a preliminary estimate of the cost was £240k.

It was agreed to recommend;

(1) approval of the proposals for the Castle Street traffic management scheme as shown on drawing number 1a(6A 30); and

(2) the Director of Technical Services be authorised to seek tenders from contractors on the Comhairle's list of tenderers for civil engineering works in the £0-300k cost range in Lewis and Harris area.

Verge Grass Cutting: Approaches to Stornoway

T08.05

94*

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the Comhairle's current policy not to undertake verge grass cutting apart from areas where there were road safety implications. Sandwick Community Council had made money available for some of the main road verges in Sandwick to be cut and this had meant it had been viable for the DSO to acquire tractor-mounted verge cutting equipment. The report proposed, on the basis of the efficiency of the operation, to undertake verge grass cutting in Stornoway and its approaches by use of the tractor mounted equipment and that other junction areas be cut, where required from a road safety perspective, by strimmer or if appropriate by the tractor mounted equipment.

It was agreed to recommend;

(1) that verge grass cutting in Stornoway and on the approaches to Stornoway, as detailed on the plan on display at the Meeting, be undertaken by tractor mounted equipment;

(2) the homologation of the action of the Director of Technical Services in undertaking the cutting of main road verges in the Sandwick area in July 1998;

(3) that for other junction areas where it was necessary to undertake verge grass cutting from a road safety prospective this would be undertaken by strimmer or, if appropriate, by tractor mounted equipment.

Car Parking in Stornoway

T09.01.01

95*

The Director of Technical Services and Director of Corporate Services submitted a joint Report updating Members on progress relating to promoting an order for pay and display parking at South Beach and Perceval Square car parks and on parking provision in general in Stornoway. The Report detailed representations which had been received regarding the Comhairle's proposals.

Mr Donald Macdonald, seconded by Mr Angus M Graham moved as a motion that provision be made for fifteen short stay parking places in Perceval Square car park.

Mr George Lonie, seconded by Mr Norman A Macdonald, moved as a first amendment that the whole of Perceval Square car park be utilised for short stay car parking.

Mr Finlay Morrison, seconded by Capt Roderick Mackinnon, moved as a second amendment that pay and display car parking at South Beach and Perceval Square car parks be not introduced.

On a vote being taken between the motion and the first amendment the motion received the majority of votes.

On a vote being taken between the motion and the second amendment the second amendment received the majority of votes cast and it was agreed to recommend accordingly.

PERFORMANCE REVIEW

Technical Services Department - Service Plan 1998-2001

96

The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing a three year Service Plan for Technical Services Department.

It was agreed to recommend that the Technical Services Department Service Plan 1998/20001 be approved as a basis for the operation and development of the Technical Services Department.

Review of Progress and Decisions PR33.01.12

97

With reference to item 20 of the Minute of Meeting of 28 January 1998 the Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report detailing the decisions of Transportation Committee from 1 January 1996 to 30 June 1998.

It was agreed to note the Report.

Outstanding Action: Progress PR33.01.12

98

With reference to item 73 of the Minute of Meeting of 10 June 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.

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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 Donald Maclean
	Mr George Lonie	Mr Colin Campbell
	Mr Iain Macsween	Capt Roderick Mackinnon

APOLOGIES	Mr Norman Macdonald

Tribute: Mr John Maciver		The Chairman referred to Mr John Maciver, former Transport Officer with the Comhairle, and his wife, who had been injured in a car accident and wished them both a full and speedy recovery.
		MINUTES
Transportation T02.01	80	The Minute of Meeting of 22 June 1998 was approved.
Transportation Sub-Committee T01.02	81*	The Minute of Meeting of the Transportation Sub-Committee of 22 June 1998 was submitted. It was agreed to recommend approval of the recommendations at item 6.
		FINANCE
First Quarter Revenue Out-turn 1998/99 PR110.08.14	82	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report setting out the pattern of actual expenditure as against budgeted expenditure for the period 1 April 1998 - 30 June 1998. It was agreed to note the Report.
Non-Housing Capital Monitoring - 1 April - 30 June 1998 PR110.01.25	83*	The Director of Finance submitted a Report concerning the Programme of Capital Expenditure for the 1998/99 financial year for all services except the Housing Revenue Account. The Report highlighted areas of overspend, underspend slippage within the programme. It was agreed to recommend, insofar as the Committees interest was concerned, approval of the Forecast Out-turn as the revised Programme for Capital Expenditure 1998/99.
		TRANSPORT POLICY
Scottish Integrated Transport White Paper T01.06.22	84	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the Scottish Integrated Transport White Paper which had been published on 22 July 1998. It was agreed to note 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 Order 26(i), 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 would disclosed.
Rural Transport Initiatives T03.02	85*	With reference to item 65 of the Minute of Meeting of 10 June 1998 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the £296k allocated to the Comhairle from the Scottish Rural Transport Fund. Members and Community Councils had been asked to submit suggestions for the utilisation of the allocation in relation to rural public transport services. Details of various proposals were outlined in the Report.
		It was agreed to recommend the Director of Technical Services be authorised to allocate the £296k from the Scottish Rural Transport Fund as follows: (1) retention of existing feeder and other services in excess of current budget - £70k; (2) additional cost of replacement Harris Bus Contract - £20k; (3) general service improvements including evening services - £70k; (4) improved transport facilities for the elderly and disabled by extension of feeder services and provision of drivers for Comhairle minibuses - £35k; (5) enhancements to Eriskay Ferry Service - £16k (6) provision for joint Highlands and Islands Computerised Timetable Initiative - £5k; and (7) provision of lay-bys and Bus Shelters - £60k (8) Additional Staff - £20k It was unanimously agreed that in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 17 of the Scheme of Administration, the Committee determine recommendations (1), (2) and (3) above on behalf of the Comhairle under delegated powers to allow for an early start to the additional bus services and on the basis that the recommendations were not contentious and did not breach a major policy position of the Comhairle.
		AIR TRANSPORT
Air Service Monitoring T04.02.01	86*	With reference to item 66 of the Minute of Meeting of 10 June 1998 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the performance of British Regional Airlines on Western Isles routes. The Report detailed the percentage of flights which arrived/departed within fifteen minutes of schedule up to the end of July 1998. The results indicated further deterioration in the reliability of these Services.
		It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services be authorised to make further representations to British Regional Airlines, in light of the lack of improvements to the punctuality in air services to the Western Isles.
		SEA TRANSPORT
Ferry Fares Study - Draft Report T06.01.01	87*	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the conclusions of the study into the impact of ferry fares on the Northern and Western Islands of Scotland. The study had been carried out by Cambridge Policy Consultants and detailed the effects of increases in ferry fares on the island economies. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) representations be made to the Scottish Office and to Caledonian MacBrayne seeking that any increases on Western Isles routes were kept at or below inflation in view of the conclusions of the study; (2) the Chairman and his nominees be authorised to undertake a study visit to Norway to investigate their methods of subsidising ferry services; (3) representations be made to the European Commission under Article 92 of the Treaty of Rome in respect of the effects of ferry fare increases on the economy of the Western Isles; (4) the Director of Technical Services be authorised to investigate Cal Mac's operations, including the identification of the level of subsidy allocated to each Cal Mac ferry route; and (5) representations be made to Cal Mac requesting that the Shipping Service Advisory Committees (North and South) be combined into one Committee.
Caledonian MacBrayne Limited Timetables - Summer 1999 T06.01.02	88*	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report outlining the draft timetable proposed to be introduced by Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd for the 1999 Summer period. Members were circulated with copies of representations which had been received from Councillor Colin Campbell, Northbay Community Council, Castlebay Community Council and Lochboisdale Community Council. It was agreed to recommend that representations be made to Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd requesting; (1) the retention of the Mallaig/Lochboisdale/Castlebay Service; (2) the introduction of a late Saturday sailing on the Stornoway - Ullapool route; and (3) the extension of the period whereby three daily sailings were provided on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on the Stornoway - Ullapool route to five months per year.
		ROAD TRANSPORT
Stage Bus Contracts T05.01	89*	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the current School, Stage and Integrated Bus Service Contracts which were due to terminate on 5 April 1999. The Report indicated that if the termination date was revised to 1 April 1999 the start date for the new contracts would then coincide with the start of the Cal Mac summer timetable. There would be no need to alter School Transport Contracts as the last day of operation under their existing contract would be the last day of term, Friday 26 March 1999.
		It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Corporate Services be authorised to seek agreement from current Stage (and integrated) Bus Service Contractors to amend the termination date of their contracts to 1 April 1999.
		ROADS
Programme and Progress T08.01	90	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Capital Works Programme and Progress Report for Road Schemes. It was agreed to note the Report. Arising out of consideration of this item it was agreed that the Director of Technical Services would submit a report detailing the road safety implications in respect of the bridge at Brue, Isle of Lewis.
Tender Monitoring T12.62	91	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing the tender amounts, actual costs and, where appropriate, projected final costs for those road schemes whereby the tender price for which was in excess of £75k. It was agreed to note the Report.
Objective 1 - Stornoway Ferry Terminal T09.05.04	92	With reference to item 18 of the Minute of Meeting of 28 January 1998 the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report indicating that the Highlands and Islands Partnership Programme had approved the Comhairle's request that the Sandwick Road/Island Road Junction Improvement be substituted for the Ferry Road/Rigs Road Scheme within the Objective 1 Application for the Stornoway Ferry Terminal (and Associated Traffic Management) Project. This agreement was on the condition that the grant available would not exceed that previously allotted to the Ferry Road/Rigs Road Scheme. It was agreed to note the Report.
Revised Traffic Management Scheme at Castle Street, Stornoway T09.05	93*	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing a revised traffic management scheme at Castle Street, Stornoway. The Report detailed the proposed scheme and indicated that a preliminary estimate of the cost was £240k. It was agreed to recommend; (1) approval of the proposals for the Castle Street traffic management scheme as shown on drawing number 1a(6A 30); and (2) the Director of Technical Services be authorised to seek tenders from contractors on the Comhairle's list of tenderers for civil engineering works in the £0-300k cost range in Lewis and Harris area.
Verge Grass Cutting: Approaches to Stornoway T08.05	94*	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the Comhairle's current policy not to undertake verge grass cutting apart from areas where there were road safety implications. Sandwick Community Council had made money available for some of the main road verges in Sandwick to be cut and this had meant it had been viable for the DSO to acquire tractor-mounted verge cutting equipment. The report proposed, on the basis of the efficiency of the operation, to undertake verge grass cutting in Stornoway and its approaches by use of the tractor mounted equipment and that other junction areas be cut, where required from a road safety perspective, by strimmer or if appropriate by the tractor mounted equipment.
		It was agreed to recommend; (1) that verge grass cutting in Stornoway and on the approaches to Stornoway, as detailed on the plan on display at the Meeting, be undertaken by tractor mounted equipment; (2) the homologation of the action of the Director of Technical Services in undertaking the cutting of main road verges in the Sandwick area in July 1998; (3) that for other junction areas where it was necessary to undertake verge grass cutting from a road safety prospective this would be undertaken by strimmer or, if appropriate, by tractor mounted equipment.
Car Parking in Stornoway T09.01.01	95*	The Director of Technical Services and Director of Corporate Services submitted a joint Report updating Members on progress relating to promoting an order for pay and display parking at South Beach and Perceval Square car parks and on parking provision in general in Stornoway. The Report detailed representations which had been received regarding the Comhairle's proposals. Mr Donald Macdonald, seconded by Mr Angus M Graham moved as a motion that provision be made for fifteen short stay parking places in Perceval Square car park. Mr George Lonie, seconded by Mr Norman A Macdonald, moved as a first amendment that the whole of Perceval Square car park be utilised for short stay car parking. Mr Finlay Morrison, seconded by Capt Roderick Mackinnon, moved as a second amendment that pay and display car parking at South Beach and Perceval Square car parks be not introduced. On a vote being taken between the motion and the first amendment the motion received the majority of votes. On a vote being taken between the motion and the second amendment the second amendment received the majority of votes cast and it was agreed to recommend accordingly.
		PERFORMANCE REVIEW
Technical Services Department - Service Plan 1998-2001	96	The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing a three year Service Plan for Technical Services Department. It was agreed to recommend that the Technical Services Department Service Plan 1998/20001 be approved as a basis for the operation and development of the Technical Services Department.
Review of Progress and Decisions PR33.01.12	97	With reference to item 20 of the Minute of Meeting of 28 January 1998 the Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report detailing the decisions of Transportation Committee from 1 January 1996 to 30 June 1998. It was agreed to note the Report.
Outstanding Action: Progress PR33.01.12	98	With reference to item 73 of the Minute of Meeting of 10 June 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.
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