Agenda and minutes

Venue: Aqualibrium, Campbeltown

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

Items
No. Item

1.

Welcome and Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of:-

 

Councillor Anne Horn

Mairi Paterson, Explore Campbeltown

Ewen McDonald, Explore Campbeltown

Ruaridh Wilson, West Coast Motors

David Bolt, National Farmers Union Scotland (NFUS)

 

 

Having noted that the Chair, Councillor Horn had sent her apologies, the Committee agreed that Councillor John Armour assume the role of Chair for the duration of the meeting. 

2.

Minute of the Campbeltown Ferry Committee held on 22 November 2016 pdf icon PDF 70 KB

Minutes:

The Minute of the Campbeltown Ferry Committee meeting held on 22 November 2016 was approved as a true record. 

3.

Audit Scotland's Performance Review of Ferry Services pdf icon PDF 76 KB

Discussion facilitated by Area Committee Manager

Minutes:

The group gave consideration to a paper which outlined the scope of the audit to be undertaken by Audit Scotland to assess whether investment in lifeline ferry services is providing value for money.  Members of the group noted that the impact of the audit is to improve public understanding of ferry services in Scotland and provide assurance to the Scottish Parliament and the public that Transport Scotland has appropriate arrangements in place to manage ferry contracts efficiently and effectively.  It is hoped that the process will highlight good practice and lessons learned to help Transport Scotland improve the management, including future procurements of ferry services.  The Area Committee Manager advised that it was anticipated that the Ferry Committee may be asked for its view. 

 

Outcome: 

 

The Committee agreed to note the information provided. 

 

 

 

4.

Summer 2017 Timetable Feedback pdf icon PDF 105 KB

Discussion facilitated by Area Operations Manager, Calmac

Minutes:

The Area Committee Manager outlined the response to the consultation on the Summer 2017 Timetable. The Area Operations Manager outlined the process for the deliberations of the Summer 2018 timetable and advised that a workshop style meeting was being held between Calmac and Transport Scotland with a view to consider the feedback from Ferry User Groups (FUGs) in relation to incorporating additional time in the consultation process to provide feedback and also a further period of consultation ahead of the final decision being announced. 

 

Outcome:

 

The Committee agreed to:-

 

1.    note that the Summer 2017 timetable would remain the same as Summer 2016; and

2.    note the information provided by the Area Operation Manager of Calmac. 

5.

Proposed Change from Ardrossan to Troon for Arran Ferry - implications for Campbeltown sailings

Discussion facilitated by Area Committee Manager

Minutes:

The group gave consideration to an update from the Area Operations Manager of Calmac outlining the proposals which are currently being considered by the Scottish Government in respect of the port for the Arran/Campbeltown Ferry Service.  The Marine Operations Manager advised that both North and South Ayrshire Councils had made requests to meet with Argyll and Bute Council Members to put forward their proposals.  Discussion took place in respect of the weather issues; transport linkages and the possible increase in sailing times.

The Marine Operations Manager agreed to chase up the meeting between North and South Ayrshire Councils and Argyll and Bute Council and keep the Ferry Committee up to date on progress.  The Committee discussed the two options and noted that it would be useful to have a formulated view which can be fed into the consultation. 

 

Outcome:

 

The Ferry Committee agreed that they favoured Ardrossan as their port of choice for the service. 

6.

Vessel Replacement and Deployment Plan pdf icon PDF 683 KB

Discussion facilitated by Area Operations Manager, Calmac

Minutes:

The group gave consideration to the vessel replacement and redeployment plan.  Discussion took place in respect of the priorities of the plan; the impact of changing vehicle type against vessel capacity; investments in port infrastructure and the possibility of changes to the Summer 2019 Ardrossan to Campbeltown service as a direct result of the implementation of the new vessel on the Ardrossan to Arran sailing in August 2018. 

 

Outcome:

 

The Committee agreed to note the contents of the report.

 

 

(Ref:  Vessel Replacement and Deployment Plan Annual Report 2015, Transport Scotland, submitted.)

7.

Diary of Events for 2017

Group discussion

Minutes:

The group gave consideration to a list of forthcoming events provided by Iain Johnstone of Explore Kintyre and Gigha.  The Chair, Councillor Armour enquired as to the possibility of additional sailings, specifically leaving Campbeltown on the Monday following the Mull of Kintyre Half Marathon and 10k race and Mull of Kintyre Music Festival. 

 

Outcome:

 

The Area Operations Manager agreed to put this request to the Arran Ferry Committee at their next meeting for comment, and to provide feedback to the Committee as to the outcome of discussions with Transport Scotland in this regard. 

8.

Future Administrative Arrangements

Discussion facilitated by Area Committee Manager

Minutes:

The Area Committee Manager reminded the group of previous discussions in relation to the future administrative arrangements of the group.  She advised of the restructuring of the Governance and Law Department within the Council and noted that it would not be possible to continue to support the group going forward.  Discussion took place as to the handover of information and the financial implications of booking meeting venues.  The Chair suggested that it would be beneficial for the group to remain supported by the Council until such time as the outcome of the elections in May 2017 was known. 

 

Outcome:

 

The Area Committee Manager agreed to feedback the comments of the Committee to the Head of Governance and Law and confirm by email, the arrangements going forward. 

9.

Any Other Competent Business

Minutes:

The Chair thanked all for attending and suggested that a date for the next meeting be agreed when the timeline for consulting on the Summer 2018 timetable was available.