Minutes of meeting held Wednesday 8 th April in the Bowmore Service Point at 7pm. 1. Present : Cllr R Currie by VC, K Laurie- SID, D Gillies -Haulier, B Abbot -NFU, G. Roberts-ICC, P. Graham- IJ T M G. J. Knowles-Transport Forum, j.porteous SID, C. Gilchrist ICC arrived 7.45pm Chairman I.McEachern, Min Sec. J Waterworth. Apologies: DE Darroch- JDT, C. Bell NFU, B.Mundell Haulier. 2. Minutes of 5 th March. After circulation, the minutes were approved without alteration. Prop: DG. Seconded JP. 3. Matters Arising: a. 2. Minutes of each meeting to appear on ICC. Website not yet implemented. IMcE and JW to go over past copies and make sure the finalised ones were forwarded to C G. for inclusion. JK to send a synopsis to the Ileach for inclusion. b. 9b. SR. was to check on the Oban fare costs with T.S and penalties suffered since RET fare used to be to the mainland irrespective of port served. Any feedback yet? Colonsay is almost same length of journey but is now dearer in the new summer timetable - 73.00 compared to 65 return for a car. 4. Points to be raised with Simon Richmond at 8pm. a. 29 th March Football tournament x47 foot passengers advised in advance. Staff at Port Ellen had extreme difficulties arranging alternative public/private transport to transfer them to alternative port due relocation of boat. Need to have an organised alternative contract with either a rolling rota of local minibuses or bus contractor. b. Food Supplies at Kennacraig. Given the number of recent alterations and delays, better provision needs to be made and usage of the ships catering facilities. Recent incident when a traveller was advised if he left the pier to go into Tarbert for food, after a four hour delay of ferry, he would lose his placing in the standby queue. Only coffee was available. If this person was a diabetic could have had serious repercussions for the pier staff. c. Fare increases on new summer timetable are at 2.6 %, inflation is at.05%. Has risen 5 % in two years. Fuel bulk buy in advance was the reason stated when queried at last meeting. Needs Transport Scotland (TS) feedback on purchasing power. Route length comparisons to Colonsay and fare are higher -why? See Matters Arising 9b. RET is not cost effective for our route. Government operates on a deficit grant system, which is why 19 million has just been identified as being handed back, and utilised for the Tendering BID project. Should this not be better utilised in funding a new boat. What is the justification for sponsoring the recent Rural Parliament meeting? d. If diversions are taking place, are travellers going to be charged the higher rate to be diverted to or from Oban to get here? Not their fault so should not be penalised. Public awareness issues and apologies needed from CalMac. 1
Mins. 8th April pge 2. Contd. 4. e. Compensation offers in T & C not widely known about are staff promoting and advising travellers to get receipts for claims, and have forms available. Vouchers for food on-board have been witnessed. Percentage of fare is available when certain timescales have been passed. BA quoted from a Calmac leaflet, which is available at the pier and on the boat. Could an article be placed in local press? From ICC or CalMac. Signage at piers and on website could be improved. Commercials do not qualify Why? f. Return of vessels to normal routes after refits, can the Isle of Lewis be utilised to cover our shortfall? Cattle sales as previously advised-high loading numbers - are now going to be seriously troubled by crew hours, driver s hours and livestock transport regulations due to breakdowns, smaller capacity boat and the route diversions. What provision is there to divert the boat to an Ayrshire port to assist with driving hours rather than Oban? 5. Months Statistics JP handed out the months statistics for sailings and cancellations/diversions during March. Scheduled x 220 crossings. x 23 cancelled, x 32 diverted, weather and technical. Total 25 % of schedule was disrupted. 6. Sub Group Demand Document: Discussed who could attend and be part of small sub group agreed JP. BA. IMcE and JW for minutes. To address the feedback on specific issues of the Weight/LGV s lengths, Fare Increases, Ferry Fare Review Document presented to last meeting and the Demand Management document. Cllr Currie commented that the group was already well constituted and should take its issues to a higher government level and should be attending at the Argyll Ferry Users group. Reference to recent anecdotal problems and recent emails received by the Chair. C Bell, requested that the group pass all the current issues to ALL list MSP s, MP s and Minister for Transport and demand a face to face meeting to address the ongoing dissatisfaction with the service being provided from Government level. Given the election on 7 th May a very prudent time to get support/notice. 8pm S R arrived and joined the meeting. DG. Raised the issues of the LGV/Weights and fares expressed serious concerns about the crippling effects on smaller carriers, with the uncertainty of regulations, which could not be guaranteed past the current summer timetable period. As to whether weights and lengths rules would be changed/upheld. Need to purchase new or second hand vehicles to keep within rates. The document dated 25thFebruary, from TS, produced at the last meeting gives great concerns about the potential for change and no feedback has been received from this groups request for discussion with Transport Scotland. Two days to respond to the document was not possible. Cllr Currie commented that we in fact, had not been included in the original circulation of the Fare Review document and the validity of the review group was questioned. A hauliers group had seriously considered passing it to the EU government for debate and review, but had held off hoping the A& B Council would take up the cause for all the Islands hauliers. Cllr Currie recommended that the group send their letters of concern direct to the Transport Minister. Much misinformation being bandied about. If not challenged, it will be implemented, rather than being out to consultation. 2
Mins 8th April 15. Pge 3 contd. SR advised that the Minister had reviewed the concerns from the Sub group of Argyll Ferry Users Group, with regard to LGV s and was not to change anything at present. As the Cabinet Minister had now changed during cabinet shuffles it was agreed to re- present the concerns of the Hauliers, as he might have not been aware of the issues and would re visit the problems. Cllr Currie. Was happy to lend his support to any letters of concern sent. Agreed to meet with the group in person on Islay next week, to progress these issues fully rather than on the VC. Wed. 15 th April agreed 7pm Venue to be confirmed later. 7. Cattle Sale: BA -NFU, have already noted concerns for the coming sale this next weekend with the winter refit /boat situation. Further issues with breakdown of the Isle of Arran, now causing grave concerns for animal welfare and drivers hours. Upwards of a 1000 cattle to be moved. Regulation for 4 decker sheep floats and 2 decker cattle, regarding ambient boat temperature of a max 20 c. will need 20 floats to be moved. If using Oban run then boat and road hours will cause additional problems. Could cars only- be asked to travel to Oban and use the only Kennacraig sailing for Floats? SR -responded in daily contact with United Auction Marts - happy to look at any and all suggestions for welfare and ease of transport. Major problems caused by three breakdowns this week on assorted routes, meaning no spare capacity of vessels. Is looking at bringing the Hebrides up from Merseyside dry dock, if completed sea trials in time to take a run of floats then proceed to Uists Triangle to relieve the Finlaggan to return as planned on the 12 th. This will depend on tidal depth and piers/weather - as she is a longer vessel (100 mts) and also deeper draught. Forecast for the weekend is not good. 8. Tender Process: Chair asked if a meeting was going to be forthcoming with Cynthia Spencer? SR was of the understanding that the group were to propose dates suitable to them, and then agreed this was actually the reverse; we would meet at any date that Cynthia could travel to Islay. To be confirmed ASAP. Discussed that it was in her best interest to meet with the service users, to build a full and complete services requirement document-so that a BID could be properly costed on the customer s needs. Moved straight to item 11. SR - CalMac Reports. Due to current weather and breakdown issues. 11. A MV. Isle of Arran has a major fault and is now in dry dock prop shaft issues, power losses, control and safety. Oil and lubricant separation. Has developed since winter service in October. Currently running 0700 to 2200 hrs cover service with MV.Hebridean Isles. As quoted earlier the MV Hebrides is a much bigger, deeper boat, so could not easily assist due to Pier issues and if so would delay Finlaggan s return. Well aware of the crew hours, drivers hours and livestock issues. JP asked if a double crew could be utilised, to allow for continuous running moving an hour on first sailing would free up time right through the timetable. Debated this and the potential to use the Hebrides she would need at least 18 hours to manoeuvre from Merseyside to Islay. Or Night sailings - Freight ONLY runs. If only for this weekend? Cllr Currie- questioned if the Ullapool Lewis Triangle is serviced adequately could a boat be spared from there. Discussed and decided no improvement gained. Agreed that for all concerned that use of Port Askaig for all runs over this breakdown period would be preferable. 3
MIns 8 th April 2015. Pge 4 contd. 11. The statement that no boat would be route specific as quoted by M Dorchester when on Islay several years ago is now proving incorrect boats and piers are NOT interchangeable. Public perception is that the ferry service is not fit for purpose, there is much unrest. Currently Tourism business support is seriously strained with clients arriving at hotels at 0100 hrs or cancelling altogether due to uncertainties of sailings. PG has a file of letters from concerned businesses and customers, to be given to SR for CalMac to reply please. SR accepted. With regard to the replacement of fleet vessels if the Finlaggan has been accepted as a suitable vessel for the Islay route, could the same plans not be utilised and a quicker re build of a twin vessel not be implemented, rather than the 10 year rolling plan offered at a recent meeting? This would also reduce costs of redesign. SR - to put this to CMal. Also requested that Finlaggan not be used to cover other routes next winter- just her own service and return here to cope with our continually increasing demand. SR agreed to put forward. Colonsay due to current breakdowns no service Wednesday 8 th or Saturday 11 th possible. Extra service from Lord of the Isles via Oban planned. Noted the very fragile community and the setbacks caused by this letters received, in PG file also handed to SR. The effects are not just felt this week, but in future years from persons who would have made a day trip to test and then come back to stay longer, plus all food purchased to support guests now wasted/lost incomes. JP asked if Cllr Currie happy to support the issues by escalating with a letter to go straight to the Transport Scotland and Derek McKay- Transport Minister. All agreed we need a public meeting with the Minister here on Islay to discuss and at first hand, experience travel to the islands. Cllr C -Agreed. To be drafted at the meeting on 15th. Re the diversions this past week due to weather and low tides. Asked for explanations re eclipse affecting the tide could this not have been better predicted? And why fog has now become an issue and diverted the boat from Port Askaig to Port Ellen very unusual circumstances and knock customer confidence again. Other boats docked successfully. As always, Captains decision is final and depends on information available at a time scale to allow for change of port and moving of traffic between. Understandably regrettable but happens. Better provision for advertising changes required. Full use of social media and apps is helping. Amber alert system works but sometimes cancellations have seemed to be when weather forecast and weather actual have not matched. Items noted at 4 above were now put to SR. A. 47 Foot passengers was not aware of this issue. Would investigate, agreed better communications possible to provide transport required. b. Food supplies & Use of ships canteen for delays at Kennacraig if ship berthed. Would investigate agrees could be health issue concerns i.e. Diabetics. c. Fare Increases on Summer 2015 - again this is T.S issue SR not able to comment. Sponsorship is this seen to be fair or wise use of CalMac tax payer s money? 4
Mins 8 th April 2015. Pge 5 contd. 4-11 d. Compensation/surcharge for Oban sailings agreed to check that passenger s tickets were being honoured without additional costs. Is a T.S costing issue? Public meeting/sid required with Brian Gordon present, would be a good idea. e. T & C of carriage, signage at Port offices and on website. Do staff promote, give out leaflets for claims re compensation of additional costs due to delays. Local staff have been praised for their efforts but is this company wide policy? Customer satisfaction is easily improved with some PR work local press article required? Also why does commercial traffic not qualify for offers of compensation in T & C? I.e. Provision of cattle cake would have been a big help. SR agreed to look at this. Historically not been on offer. f. Single vessel service issues covered above. T.S issue. SR - will escalate issues raised to Brian G. with feedback prior to next meeting with this committee and the joint meeting with SID. 12. AOCB. J.P Re Visit with Port Manager and Current. V. New IT system. This was particularly useful in showing what is not currently recorded. A.C said that the new system was currently being trialled elsewhere and not due here until May, with staff training May through September. He said it could address some of the issues we had been raising but would theoretically be possible to propose modifications. To look at new system when available with PE manager - may need more detailed data capture if could be beneficial in helping to record lost sales (currently unrecorded), identify true demand as opposed to simply recording utilisation when sailing and give better management control of block bookings. Also to more clearly define 'utilisation'. This visit was the first phase and is ongoing. J.P Will report further. The staff were highly praised for the service provided during this winter s issues. Given weather and breakdowns. 3 major ship breakdowns, on 3 different routes this week alone. SR. Provided CalMac office report - Reliability and Punctuality report for October to April. Compared to the same period last winter, balances out favourably, more sailings were on time, about same number of schedule sailings occurred, less were cancelled or diverted and more additional sailings operated. DATE OF NEXT MEETING. Agreed Wed 6 th May 7pm. Venue to be confirmed. SR to meet with SID in Port Ellen prior to this, and to invite Brian Gordon T.S 5
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