Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of the following:-

Gordon Ross, Western Ferries

Nigel Brooks, LL&TMP

Iain McNaughton, Sandbank Community Council

Danny Sumsion, Cairndow Community Council

The Minutes of the Meeting of 9^th December 2011 were approved as a correct record.

The Group heard an informative presentation from the Access Manager on the Core Path plan including a demonstration of the Online Mapping facilities which have recently been launched showing paths and other relevant data.  He further spoke in the Argyll & The Isles Coast and Countryside Trust (AICCT) encouraging members of the Group to go to one of the events. 

The Group discussed the AICCT and the role of Trusts in the area. 

Elizabeth Bain asked if the Core Paths join the Paths for All within the National Park and Jolyon said this was always intended to be the case he would continue to speak to the National Park staff to get their information onto the Core Path Plan to ensure a joined up outcome.

David Cannon said he was interested in highlighting what people can do on foot in this area and would be like to have a link to the Core Paths data on the Argyll Ferries website.

Mr McInnes asked if information on the bus timetables from Gourock to Inverclyde Hospital could be made available as there are a lot of McGills buses and people are not sure of the right one to get.  The Area Governance Officer agreed he would contact   the Marine and Airports Manager with a view to investigating the provision of  a facility for operators to publish accurate timetable information  in the waiting areas at both ends of  the Ferry route, and report back the outcome to a future meeting of the Forum. 

David Cannon suggested contacting McGills to get them to colour code their timetables with the buses that connect with the ferry timetables with the aim to eventually get an integrated timetable between the bus services and Argyll Ferries.. 

The Area governance officer agreed to discuss this with the Marine and Airports Manager in the first instance.

The Group discussed the position of the taxi rank at Argyll Ferries and agreed the Dunoon CHORD Project proposals for the area would be brought to the next meeting.

The Group agreed a representative from CHORD will be invited to the next meeting of the Forum

South Cowal Community Council

Eleanor Stevenson asked if it was possible for the Toward bus to be extended to Western Ferries. 

Mr Good from West Coast Motors advised that he may be able to tie the Toward bus into the Ardentinny one and he would look at the feasibility of this.

Rowan Seddon advised Douglas Blades may be considering some modification of the current timetables and that Mr Good and he could Liaise.

The Group noted the information provided.

Rowan Seddon advised there was a problem with the intended turning area at the top of the Rest and Be Thankful due to the bore holes showing 2m of peat and she is waiting to hear from the Forestry Commission.  Elizabeth Bain advised there was a problem with buses dropping people off and not moving to the parking area.

The Group agreed another site meeting will be arranged with the following  being invited to participate :-

Councillor A McNaughton

Douglas Blades

West Coast Motors

Forestry Commission

Strathclyde Police

Transerv

Lochgoil Community Council

Scout Centre

Mr Baker advised the hard standings were being up in place in Sandbank and wished to thank the Group for their part in this.

The Group agreed to provisionally set the next meeting for the 29^th June 2012 at 10am in the Customer Services Office, 22 Hill Street, Dunoon.