Issue - meetings

Cllr Kelly informed the group that despite requests to Transport Scotland by the Ferry Sub-Group, they were unable to change the timetable for next year.  The Chair advised that there was a need to strengthen existing groups and coordinate links and resources accordingly.  Discussion followed regarding air links with Northern Ireland and Jane McCallum updated the group on Logan air routes to Ireland.  The Chair welcomed any ideas and suggestions from the group

Decision

The group agreed that Piers and Harbours would remain on the Agenda

That the Marine Operations manager would be alerted to the slippery condition and bad lighting at Tayinloan Pier

That the Ferry Subgroup would be on the February Agenda for discussion at the meeting

That Jane McCallum would provide the detail of scheduled Logan air flights to Ireland.

Councillor Semple, Chair of the Ferry Sub-Group, updated the Group on recent meetings held with both Transport Scotland and CalMac Marketing team.  He had received a draft revised timetable and this would be given further review and discussion at the Ferry Sub-Group meeting later that day. 

 Stuart Green advised the group on the final passenger figures for the Campbeltown - Ardrossan ferry route.  These were:-

Passengers    -                       7484

Cars                -                       1226

Councillor Semple advised that the Ferry Sub-Group would also review these figures to ascertain any trends resulting from them.  He reported that CalMac were not keen to release the actual passenger figures for the Brodick-Ardrossan crossing to non-stakeholders.

Decision

The Group agreed that a letter would be sent to CalMac on behalf of the KIWG requesting the Brodick-Ardrossan figures.

Stuart Green updated the group on the passenger figures to date for usage on the new Ferry route between Campbeltown and South Ayrshire.  These were 975 cars and 6000 passengers.  However, there was no detail on actual passenger background.  It was hoped that the new Ferry Users Group would be able to address this.  He detailed the 'peaks' in passenger use and explained that Fridays were a popular day for ferry travel on the route.

Discussion continued in the possibility of additional passenger use and an amended timetable. 

The Chair confirmed that the Ferry Service  from Campbeltown to Ayrshire was fully operational. 

Councillor John Semple informed the group of the proposed timetable and operational dates for the new Campbeltown - Ayrshire Service. He advised that the service would initially be a pilot scheme, with the first year being primarily to 'imbed' the service. 

Although representatives from the Ferry Users Group (which includes a representative from KIWG) and CalMac would undertake the process of review and monitoring of the service to help develop the best model, Councillor Semple felt that there was an opportunity for the KIWG as a Group to take this forward..

Councillor Semple reported that discussions were still ongoing with South Ayrshire Council in regards the possibility of the inclusion of other routes to the service.  Ishabel Bremner advised that the Economic Development Action Plan had been approved at the full Council meeting, with potential to amend the local Area Plan to include a Northern Ireland route

Further discussion followed in regards the final sailing date for 2013 - September 28.  Susan Paterson informed the group that this was in fact the September Weekend holiday and advised that it would perhaps be prudent to extend the sailings to accommodate visitors to the area. 

The Chair voiced further concerns in regards the potential impact of the service to existing Harbour users and the practicality of extending the Harbour to ensure that these users were not impinged upon. 

Action:  It was agreed to write to CalMac highlighting the issue of extending the date of the final sailing in September to accommodate visitors to the area.     

Councillor Semple updated the Group in regards the proposed Campbeltown - Ayrshire ferry and detailed on-going discussions with South Ayrshire Council.  The plan detailed a service with no direct sailing to Ayrshire, the proposed route would be via Arran and take approximately 4 hours sailing time.  He reported on concerns in regards these proposals and timetable.  The service would be seasonal and is intended to  focus on tourists.

Councillor Semple advised on a recent decision by the MAKI Area Committee to forward an extract detailing Members concerns o the Full Council.  He had personally written to the Transport Minister documenting these issues and stating the need for a 4-year pilot scheme.  This would allow for 1 year to 'embed' the service - allowing for any snagging to be resolved.  Thereafter, the pilot scheme would commence.

He informed the group of a meeting he had scheduled for later that day with the  Executive Director of Development & Infrastructure Services, Marine and Airports Manager and himself to endeavour to resolve these issues.

Further group discussion ensued regarding:

Lochranza ferry

Need for comprehensive package to market Kintyre

Decision:

Agreed that any KIWG members make contact with Councillor Semple to detail their concerns and views on this issue.           

The Chair noted that the Claonaig to Lochranza  ferry is seen as a key economic driver for the Kintyre Area , but that the previously discussed view of the KIWG was that while all parties were keen on the development of a  Campbeltown – Troon ferry service,  this must not be at the expense of the Claonaig - Lochranza  route

Cllr Kelly Donald indicated that he understand that the current drive for the development of the passenger ferries was largely influenced by the work to be done on pulpit rock (A83) and was to be comprised of a  Troon/Greenock to C’town  triangle on at trial basis (capacity of the ferry was thought to be approx. 150)

Stuart Green indicated that while there were initial discussions underway, the idea  is still conceptual, but appears to have no insurmountable concerns. A key issue is that to be sustainable, such a ferry would need  a minimum of 150 people and there are concerns about whether the infrastructure, particularly in terms of   accommodation exists at present in the immediate areas

The next meeting between the parties is scheduled for 7^th or 8^th of January

The Chair wished to clarify whether the proposed solution would be a CALMAC or a private ferry.  The concern is that the KIWG would not want this ferry to go via Arran since this could negatively affect the Lochranza ferry.