Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and general introductions were made. 

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of:-

Mairi Paterson, Explore Campbeltown

Ranald Watson, Springbank Distillers

Simon Richmond, CALMAC

Zena Coffield, South Kintyre Development Trust

Tommy Millar, The Laggan Community Council

Alan Baker, Campbeltown Community Council

Minute of previous meeting held on 23 October 2015

The Minute of the Campbeltown Ferry Sub-group meeting held on 23 October 2015 was approved as a true record. 

Discussion facilitated by group.

The Chair congratulated the group on the part they played in securing the Campbeltown to Ardossan Service as a permanent seasonal ferry service following the initial three year pilot. 

Mr MacDonald highlighted discussions at an informal meeting of the group, whereby Members had expressed a desire to have a Kintyre Ferry Users Group with a sub-group which focuses on marketing strategies to link all methods of transport in Kintyre .

The Council’s Strategic Transportation Manager suggested that the HITRANS group already discuss matters such as timetabling around other modes of public transport, and that to form another group may be duplication.  The Chair advised that the ferry sub-group had originally been set up to concentrate on the Campbeltown to Ardrossan Ferry and to some extent other forms of transport and that there was still unfinished business in terms of adequately marketing the new service and timetabling issues, therefore the group did not consider their role as duplication.

The Area Committee Manager enquired as to the level of support the group would require from Governance and Law, with the Chair advising that it was still hoped that there would be the same level of support from Governance and Law.  Mrs Barton advised that it would be necessary to look at the framework and the current terms of reference and establish the aims and objectives of the group and also any sub-group.  Mrs Barton further advised that there may be capacity issues in Governance and Law progressing this, and asked Members to consider whether it was necessary to continue in this format if the desire is for more of a community group being formed.  Members of the group were of the view that the Ferry Sub Group should continue with appropriate support from the Council.

Discussion took place in respect of the role that the Argyll and Isles Tourism Co-operative (AITC) could play given that the service is now permanent.  Members of the group advised that due to previous difficulties with AITC their preference would be to have Explore Campbeltown carry out the marketing role. Further discussion took place in relation to the possibility of hosting a civic reception to tie in with the first sailing of the season and the opening of the redeveloped town hall was had, with Members of the group agreeing to hold discussions with CALMAC, North and South Ayrshire and the South Kintyre Development Trust. 

Having agreed that the Ferry Sub Group should remain  with a sub-group to take forward the marketing issues, the Area Committee Manager suggested that a further meeting of the group be arranged for Wednesday 3 February 2016 at 1.30pm to discuss terms of reference,the membership of the group and the future operation of the group.  The Council’s Strategic Transportation Manager agreed to provide contact details for HITRANS and North Ayrshire to members of the group. 

The next meeting of the group will take place at 1.30pm on Wednesday 3^rd February 2016 within Room 2 of the Community Centre, Stewart Road, Campbeltown.