TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Wednesday, 28 August 1996 at 10.30am
PRESENT |
Mr Alexander A Macdonald (Chairman) |
|
Mr Donald Macdonald (Vice-Chairman) |
Mr Donald M Mackay | |
Mr Donald A Mackay |
Mr Norman Macdonald | |
Mr George Lonie |
Mr Donald Maclean | |
Mr John Campbell |
Mr Colin Campbell | |
Mr Iain Macsween |
||
APOLOGIES |
Mr Finlay Morrison |
|
Capt. Roderick Mackinnon |
|
T02.01 |
67 |
MINUTES The Minute of Meeting of 12 June 1996 was approved. |
Transportation Sub-Committee T01.02 |
68 |
The Minute of Meeting of the Transportation Sub-Committee of 24 June 1996 was approved and the recommendations contained therein recommended for approval. |
|
Revenue Expenditure 1996/97: Quarterly Forecast Outturn PR110.08.12 |
69 |
FINANCE With reference to item 35 of the Minute of Meeting of 24 April 1996, the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing Income and Expenditure in respect of Transportation during the period 1 April to 30 June 1996. The Report compared such Income and Expenditure with the provision made in the Revenue Estimates for Income and Expenditure for Transportation for 1996/97 and the estimated Outturn of Income and Expenditure to 31 March 1997. It was agreed to note the Report. |
Capital Expenditure 1996/97: Quarterly Forecast Outturn PR110.01.03 |
70* |
With reference to item 36 of the Minute of Meeting of 24 April 1996, the Director of Finance submitted a Report regarding the Programmes of Capital Expenditure for 1996/97. The Report detailed the actual expenditure incurred to 30 June 1996 and the estimated expenditure to 31 March 1997 in each Programme. It was stated in the Report that the final net consent expenditure incurred by the Council in respect of its Capital Expenditure was now required to be within 5% of the consent expenditure determined by the Secretary of State for Scotland. It was agreed to recommend that the forecast out-turn for 1996/97 for Transportation of £3,833,000, net of income, be implemented by the Director of Finance as the revised Programme for 1996/97 |
1997/98 Revenue Budget Timetable PR110.08.13 |
71* |
The Director of Finance submitted a Report setting out an outline timetable for the production of the half-yearly Financial Review for 1996/97 and the Revenue Budgets for 1997/98. |
It was proposed that each Service Committee create a Member/Officer Budget Working Party with a view to obtaining input from Members at an early stage of preparing the Revenue Estimates. It was suggested that each Working Party consist of four Elected Members of the relevant Committee, the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and two non-Chairmen Members of the Committee, together with appropriate officers. It was agreed to recommend that:- (i) the Director of Finance implement the outline timetable as detailed in the Report; (ii) the Director of Administration and Legal Services implement the proposed formation of a Member/Officer Budget Working Party for each Service Committee; and (iii) a Member/Officer Budget Working Party for Transportation be formed and a Report on its proposed membership be submitted to the next Meeting. | ||
|
Second Review of Key Tasks PR11.40 |
72* |
CONSTITUTION The Director of Administration and Legal Services submitted a Report regarding the second review of the Council's List of Key Tasks for 1994-99. Details of the Key Tasks, approved, together with an outline of progress, comments and suggested revised text were appended to the Report. It was agreed to recommend approval of the revised text of the List of Key Tasks for 1994-99, as follows, in respect of the Transportation Committee's interest:- Policies (1) The achievement of a more sustained and strategic approach to the spinal road network. Tasks (1) Undertake a comprehensive transportation study for Stornoway, including traffic management implications of new ferry terminal options and possible out of town development. (2) The achievement of a comprehensive programme of fixed links and improved transportation services including:- (a) Berneray Causeway. (b) Eriskay Causeway. (3) The re-examination of the transportation input to the Structure Plan. (4) Recognising the link between depopulation trends and transport costs, to seek the application of Road Equivalent Tariff. |
|
Repairs and Maintenance (Revenue) Programme T01.01.03 |
73 |
BUILDINGS With reference to item 54 of the Minute of Meeting of 12 June 1996, the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the Repairs and Maintenance (Revenue) Programme for 1996/97 in respect of Transportation properties. The Report detailed the approved expenditure for 1996/97 and the total expenditure committed and expended as at 30 June 1996. It was agreed to note the Report. |
|
Barra Airstrip Referendum: Result T04.01.01 |
74* |
AIR TRANSPORT With reference to item 55 of the Minute of Meeting of 12 June 1996, the Director of Administration and Legal Services submitted a Report giving details of the outcome of the Barra Airstrip Referendum, as set out in the Appendix to this Minute. It was stated in the Report that the Referendum had been conducted by the Electoral Reform Society with one ballot paper being issued to each elector on the current Electoral Registers for Barra and Vatersay. It was indicated that the ballot papers afforded an opportunity to those voting in the referendum to submit comments and representations and that it would be appropriate to send such representations to Highlands and Islands Airports Limited, in the light of that organisation's responsibility for providing airport facilities. It was agreed to recommend:- |
(1) that the result of the Barra Airstrip Referendum be noted; and (2) that the Director of Administration and Legal Services be authorised to send the volume of representations in respect of the Barra Airstrip Referendum to Highlands and Islands Airports Limited for its consideration. | ||
It was agreed to recommend approval of the recommendations and that the Director of Technical Services be authorised to arrange a meeting with Officials at the Scottish Office and representatives of Highlands and Islands Airports Limited to discuss the outcome of the Barra Airstrip Referendum, on the basis that the Council be represented at such a meeting by the Convener and Chairman or their nominees. Arising out of consideration of this item, it was agreed to recommend that the Chief Executive be authorised to arrange a meeting with British Airways Limited to discuss the Company's proposals for the future operation of flights to and from the Western Isles, on the basis that the Council be represented at such a meeting by the Convener and Chairman or their nominees. | ||
|
Berneray Ferry T06.02.08 |
75* |
SEA TRANSPORT With reference to item 24 of the Minute of Meeting of 13 March 1996, the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report indicating that it was proposed to withdraw the "Eilean Bhearnaraigh" from the service during the period 12 October 1996 - 1 April 1997, on the basis that the Caledonian MacBrayne Limited vessel currently operating the Sound of Harris Service would provide the Berneray-Otternish service during the Winter months. It was stated in the Report that the Caledonian MacBrayne Limited vessel, the "Loch Bhrusda" would offer additional carrying capacity and that the timetable would be structured in such a way as to allow the vessel to provide an additional run on the Sound of Harris service, if required. It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services be authorised to withdraw the Council's vehicular ferry "Eilean Bhearnaraigh" from the Otternish-Berneray service from 12 October 1996 on the basis detailed in the Report. |
On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by the Vice-Chairman, it was agreed, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 23(f) and (i), that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following two items on the grounds that exempt information relating to the financial and business affairs of organisations and individuals would be disclosed, together with information relating to terms proposed by the Council in the course of negotiation for a contract for the acquisition of goods or services. | ||
Berneray Vehicular Ferry: 1996 Annual Overhaul T06.02.08 |
76 |
The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report giving details of the costs associated with the annual overhaul of the Berneray Vehicular Ferry. The Report intimated that these costs were in excess of the provision made within the Revenue Estimates for Transportation for 1996/97. It was agreed to note the Report. |
Eriskay Vehicular Ferry: Berneray Vehicular Ferry: 1996 Annual Overhaul T06.02.03 |
77 |
The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report giving details of the annual overhaul and related costs associated with the Berneray and Eriskay Vehicular Ferries. The Report intimated that the total expenditure involved was £67,996.00 in excess of the provision made within the Revenue Estimates for Transportation for 1996/97, for these items of expenditure and gave reasons for part of the additional expenditure incurred. The Report stated that the additional expenditure incurred in excess of the existing budgetary provision would be the subject of a further Report by the Director of Technical Services at the mid-year review. It was agreed to note the Report, on the basis that the Director of Technical Services be requested to submit a further Report on the additional expenditure incurred on the annual overhaul of the Berneray and Eriskay vehicular ferries in excess of existing budgetary provision, at the mid-year review. |
Caledonian MacBrayne Limited: Summer Timetables 1997 T06.01.02 |
78* |
With reference to item 56 of the Minute of Meeting of 12 June 1996, the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning the timetables which Caledonian MacBrayne Limited proposed to operate on services to, from and within the Western Isles during the period 28 March 1997 - 11 October 1997. It was agreed to recommend that:- (1) the timetables, as detailed in the Report by the Director of Technical Services, be noted; (2) the Director of Technical Services be authorised to write to Caledonian MacBrayne Limited expressing the Council's concern at the inadequate consultation undertaken in connection with the Ferry Timetables and that the Company be informed that the Council should be afforded a proper opportunity to take a view of proposed timetables prior to the meetings of the Shipping Services Advisory Committees (North and South) at which the Company's such timetables are discussed; (3) the Director of Technical Services be authorised to indicate to Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd that the Council would wish the retention of the 1 a.m. Monday sailing from Stornoway, on the basis of the 1996 Summer Timetable; (4) the Director of Technical Services be authorised to request Caledonian MacBrayne Limited to introduce a 7.00pm Saturday sailing on the Ullapool-Stornoway route; (5) the Director of Technical Services be authorised to write to Caledonian MacBrayne Limited requesting a reduction in the individual return fares charged on the Sound of Harris route which at present are unreasonably high; |
(6) the Director of Technical Services be authorised to request Caledonian MacBrayne Limited to establish a Working Group on which the Council would be represented to consider the facilities and level of service to be provided by the new vessel which will serve Uist and Barra; | ||
(7) the Director of Technical Services be authorised to request Caledonian MacBrayne Limited that in respect of the Oban-Lochboisdale-Castlebay service, the Council would wish the Company to implement "Option 1," as proposed at the recent meeting of the Shipping Services Advisory Committee (South) subject to the timetable providing for:- | ||
(a) one earlier evening arrival at Lochboisdale on the Castlebay-Lochboisdale service; and (b) the provision of an additional sailing on the Mallaig-Lochboisdale route; and | ||
(8) the Director of Technical Services be authorised to continue to make representations to Caledonian MacBrayne Limited with a view to ensuring that the Company provides full information on the level of fares charged on all sailings and that such information be made readily available to passengers when they are arranging bookings. | ||
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Transportation Integration Tender: Third Round E05.02.21 |
79* |
ROAD TRANSPORT With reference to item 94 of the Minute of Meeting of the Education Committee of 27 August 1996, the Director of Education and Leisure Services and Director of Technical Services submitted a joint Report setting out the results of the third tender round for school and public transport. Tenders had been invited for a total of fourteen contracts. It was stated that budgetary provision had been made in respect of three contracts and that it would be necessary to consider the provision required for the remaining eleven routes in the context of the half-yearly financial review. It was stated that tenders had been accepted in respect of thirteen routes and the remaining route would be the subject of a further Report to the Committee. The Committee was asked to homologate the action of the Director of Administration and Legal Services in accepting the tenders with the exception of that for route XBV1. |
It was agreed to recommend: (1) homologation of the action of the Director of Administration and Legal Services in accepting the tenders for the third round of school and public transport contracts as detailed in the Appendix to the Report, with the exception of route XBV1; and (2) that consideration be given to the financial implications of the tenders accepted for those routes for which no budgetary provision had been made in the context of the Council's half-yearly financial review. | ||
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Programme and Progress |
80 |
ROADS The Director of Technical Services submitted a Capital Works Programme and Progress Report for road schemes. It was agreed to note the Report. |
Tender Monitoring T12.62 |
81 |
The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report detailing tender amounts, actual costs and, where appropriate, projected final costs of road schemes, tender prices for which were in excess of £75,000. It was agreed to note the Report. |
It was agreed that, in accordance with the provision of Standing Order 23(f) and (i), the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following two items on the grounds that exempt information relating to terms proposed or to be proposed by the Council in the course of negotiation for a contract for the acquisition or disposal of property or the supply of goods or services and the financial and business affairs of a particular person or organisation, other than the Council, would be disclosed. | ||
Ice Gritting and Snow Clearing 1996-2001 T08.05.04 |
82* |
With reference to item 17 of the Minute of Meeting of 31 January 1996, the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report giving details of the tenders received in respect of the ice gritting and snow clearing contract for 1996-2001. It was agreed to recommend that, subject to the Director of Finance indicating his satisfaction with the proposals, the Director of Technical Services be authorised to accept the bids from the Technical Services Direct Services Organisation for the ice gritting and snow clearing contract for 1996-2001 for the following areas:- |
Contract for Area 1 - Lewis Contract for Area 2 - Harris Contract for Area 3 - Uists Contract for Area 4 - Barra | ||
The Committee unanimously agreed that, in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 17 of the Scheme of Administration, the Committee determine the above recommendations, on behalf of the Council, under delegated powers, in light of the need for the contractor to make the necessary preparations in relation to the performance of the contracts. The Chairman, having left the meeting, the Vice-Chairman occupied the Chair for the remainder of the meeting. | ||
Public Lighting Maintenance 1996-2001 T08.05.01 |
83* |
With reference to item 31 of the Minute of Meeting of 13 March 1996, the Director of Technical Services submitted a Report giving details of the tenders received for the public lighting maintenance contract for 1996-2001. The Report commented on the tenders received and indicated that representations had been submitted by the Electrical Contractors Association of Scotland on behalf of Iain Crichton, who had submitted a tender in respect of the Lewis and Harris area. It was recommended in the Report that the Director of Administration and Legal Services be authorised to accept tenders from the Technical Services Direct Services Organisation for the public lighting maintenance contract for 1996-2001 for both Lewis and Harris and Uists and Barra. Mr George Lonie, seconded by Mr John Campbell, moved that the Director of Administration and Legal Services be authorised to accept the tender from: (a) Iain Crichton who had submitted the second lowest tender for the Public Lighting Maintenance Contract for 1996-2001 for the Lewis and Harris area, in light of Iain Crichton's proven track record in the performance of this contract and his possession of the necessary equipment; and (b) the tender from the Technical Services Direct Services Organisation for the Public Lighting Maintenance Contract for 1996-2001 for Uists and Barra. The Vice-Chairman, seconded by Mr Donald M Mackay, moved as an amendment, approval of the recommendations detailed in the Report by the Director of Technical Services. There been an equality in the voting, the Vice-Chairman used his second and casting vote in favour of the amendment which became the finding of the meeting. |
Cattle Grid - Leverburgh T08.03 |
84* |
The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning an application from the Kyles Glen Grazings Committee to install a cattlegrid at Leverburgh and thereby effectively stockproof the major part of the village. It was intimated in the Report that the Council's policy on cattlegrids provided for their installation on adopted roads by organisations, such as Grazings Committees, provided grids were constructed in accordance with the Council's specification. The Report stated that the cost of maintenance of the cattlegrid, which would fall on the Council, was estimated at £800 per year. It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services be authorised to take the appropriate action with regard to the installation of a cattlegrid to the Council's specification on the A859 at Leverburgh by the Kyles Glen Grazings Committee. |
The Chairman ruled in terms of Standing Order 8 that the following item be considered as a matter of urgency in order that the Committee could express a view on the matter prior to its next meeting. | ||
Cattlegrid Kinloch Roag Uig T08.03.01 |
85 |
The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report concerning an application from Mr Malcolm Macdonald to install a cattlegrid at Kinloch Roag, Uig, on the B8011 loop at Kinloch Roag, Uig. It was stated in the Report that the estimated cost of maintaining the cattlegrid, which would fall on the Council, was £800. It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services be authorised to take the appropriate action with regard to the installation of a cattlegrid on the B8011 loop at Kinloch Roag by Mr Malcolm Macdonald. |
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Navigational Aids and Off-Shore Works: Provision of Work Boat T07.04 |
86* |
RELATED MATTERS The Director of Technical Services submitted a Report outlining proposals to acquire a boat and ancillary equipment to undertake maintenance works on offshore navigational lights. It was stated in the Report that the Council, as harbour authority, provided a considerable number of navigational aids throughout the Western Isles for the benefit of marine users, particularly fishermen. The Report further referred to the large number of navigational aids installed in the Sound of Harris to assist in the routing of the Sound of Harris Ferry Service and indicated that the Marine Safety Agency had now recommended that all such navigational aids were fitted with lights. It was emphasised in the Report that if the Council had to conform to the Marine Safety Agency's recommendation, there would be substantial revenue implications in future years. The Report commented on the present position with regard to the maintenance of navigational aids and suggested that it would be appropriate for the Council to acquire a boat to perform a wide range of tasks including:- (1) electrical planned preventative maintenance and repair of navigational aids; (2) pier structural inspections; (3) survey and maintenance of buoy moorings; (4) marine surveys; (5) pilotage; (6) pollution control; and (7) harbour rescue. |
The Report gave details of the type of vessel and equipment which could satisfactorily perform the tasks detailed in the Report and further intimated that the associated costs would be as follows:- purchase of boat including equipment and trailer - £12,300; crew training - £1,500 | ||
It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Technical Services be authorised to purchase a 5.5 metre semi-rigid inflatable boat, ancillary equipment and trailer on the basis detailed in the Report. | ||
Tolsta - Ness Cycle Route T08.02.24 |
87* |
The Chief Executive submitted a Report concerning proposals to create a cycle route between Tolsta and Ness. The Report gave background information and indicated that the main justification for the project lay in the increasing popularity of recreational cycling. The Report identified sources of funding for the project including Objective 1, Western Isles Enterprise, the Scottish Sports Council Millennium Fund, Scottish Natural Heritage and the National Heritage Memorial Fund. It was recommended in the Report that:- |
(1) the Chief Executive be authorised to make an application for Objective 1 funding for the design and implementation of a cycle route from Tolsta to Ness; and (2) the Chief Executive be authorised to make financial provision in the Capital Plan for 1997/98 and 1998/99 for matching funding for work to be carried out to design and implement the project. | ||
It was agreed to recommend that:- (1) the Chief Executive be authorised to make an application for Objective 1 funding for the design and implementation of a cycle route from Tolsta to Ness, on the basis of no cost falling on the Council; (2) financial provision for the project be considered in the formulation of the Capital Plan for 1997/98 and 1998/99 for matching funding for work to be carried out to design and implement the project; and (3) the Chief Executive be requested to submit a further Report on the funding of the project. | ||
Outstanding Action T01.01.04 |
88 |
The Director of Administration and Legal Services submitted a Report detailing outstanding action arising from the Transportation Committee since May 1994. It was agreed to note the Report. |
APPENDIX
Barra Airstrip Referendum - Result
Question 1 - Do you want a hard landing strip to replace the beach landing strip for scheduled passenger services for Barra?
Responses
Yes 365
No 235
Don't know 14
Spoilt papers 14
Question 2 - Do you want any hard landing strip at Traigh Mhor?
Responses
Yes 217
No 290
Don't know 49
Spoilt papers 72
Number of Ballot papers issued - 1029
Number of Ballot paper returned - 629
Number of Ballot papers invalid as no answer for both questions
Percentage turnout for referendum - 61.12%
