Agenda and minutes

Venue: Burnett Building, Campbeltown

Contact: Lynsey Innis, Senior Area Committee Assistant; Tel: 01546 604338 

Items
No. Item

1.

Welcome and Apologies

Minutes:

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

 

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of:-

 

Stewart Clark, Marine Operations Manager, Argyll and Bute Council

Stephen Scally, Harbour Master, Argyll and Bute Council

Neil Macalister Hall, Explore Kintyre and Gigha

Nick Fletcher, Explore Kintyre and Gigha

2.

Minute of the Campbeltown Ferry Committee held on 23 August 2016 pdf icon PDF 98 KB

Minutes:

The Minute of the Campbeltown Ferry Committee meeting held on 23 August 2016 was approved as a true record. 

3.

Membership Update

3a

Independent Traveller

Update by Area Committee Manager

Minutes:

The Area Committee Manager provided an update on the membership of the Committee and outlined the campaign followed to engage a member of the public as a representative of the independent traveller.  The group gave consideration to two applications in respect of the position.  General discussion took place in respect of the applicants and the particulars of their applications.

 

Outcome: 

 

The Committee agreed that applicant 2, Susi Lunn be appointed as the representative of the independent traveller. 

4.

Summer 2017 Timetable

Minutes:

The Area Operations Manager of Calmac, Simon Richmond outlined the process being followed in terms of the determination of the Summer 2017 timetable.  He advised of the difficulties experienced in relation to the short timescales for the turnaround of the consultation.  He advised that feedback was collected from the networks in June and July and that that responses were consolidated into a proposal of requests for Transport Scotland.  He advised that Calmac were expecting final decisions from Transport Scotland imminently and the Summer 2017 timetable would be published by mid-December.  Mr Richmond advised of the recent employment of Brian Fulton as Director of Community and Stakeholder Engagement with Calmac.  He advised that Mr Fulton had been tasked with reviewing the process going forward, and it is hoped that the new process would be in place for deliberation of the Summer 2018 timetable.

 

Further discussion took place in respect of the Road Equivalent Tariff (RET); the Vessel Replacement Strategy; the issues caused by the number of campervans using the service; cancellations in the Summer 2016 service caused by weather and technical difficulties and the Rail and Sail ticket service.  Mr Richmond agreed to feedback the concerns of the Committee to the Transport Integration Manager to ensure that Scotrail receive notice of cancellations and disruptions to the ferry service.  

 

Outcome:

 

The Committee agreed:

 

1.    to note the information provided by the Area Operations Manager, Calmac; and

2.    to draft a diary of events for 2017 at the next meeting of the group.  

5.

Any Other Competent Business

Minutes:

·         Councillor Armour updated the group in relation to the meeting of the Clyde Ferry User Group (FUG) which he attended in September 2016.  He advised that he found this a positive meeting and was pleasantly surprised by the number of attendees who had been keen to see the success of the Ardrossan to Campbeltown service. 

·         Discussion took place in respect of the possibility of Calmac releasing a statement to the press, outlining the reason for the number of cancellations during the 2016 season.  Members of the group suggested that this be released to coincide with a positive message on next year’s service, with Members suggesting that the timing of this be in early February, ahead of the next season.  The Area Operations Manager agreed to look into the possibility and update the group accordingly. 

·         The group noted that the administration of the group going forward, would be dealt with at the next meeting, which will take place on Wednesday 1st February 2017 at 2.00pm.  Venue to be confirmed.