Agenda and minutes

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

Apologies were intimated from:

Simon Richmond, Area Operations Manager, Calmac

Ewan MacDonald , Explore Campbeltown

Neil Clapperton, Explore Campbeltown

A review of the 2014 season was provided by the Council’s Marine Operations Manager. He advised that, in line with the Calmac update, numbers using the service were slightly down during 2014 season when compared against the 2013 season.  This was possibly due in part to the Commonwealth Games being held in Glasgow in the summer as a similar effect had been noted by Marinas during the same period.

There was a general discussion about the way the season had gone, recapping timetabling issues, various meetings which had taken place in an attempt to resolve issues and comparisons with other ferry routes. Local businesses had been in contact with Transport Scotland regarding the service during the summer and the Council’s Marine Operations Manager read a letter to the group confirming that Transport Scotland were currently working with Calmac on the 2015 schedule which was due to be agreed towards the end of the year.

 It was noted that the lack of a Saturday day return service was key to the sustainability of the service along with the need to accommodate the needs of the self-catering sector and integration with onward travel by public transport. R.E.T was also discussed and the group were advised that it would come in force on the route during summer 2015.

It was also noted that the Clyde Hebrides Ferry Services was currently out to tender with returns due by September 2016 and that a ferry replacement programme was in development.

The chair noted there was no-one in attendance from Calmac but that a Reliability and Punctuality Report had been provided for the meeting. This report informed the previous discussions.

The group were informed that the full report was coming out in January 2015. A short summary of highlights had been provided and were considered by the group. Following general discussion regarding the economic development opportunities arising from the ferry route and the need for sustainability, the Council’s Marine Operations Manager was asked to draft a letter to Calmac outlining the key concerns raised during the discussion.

Action Point: draft letter outlining key concerns to be circulated round the people attending the meeting for comment and approval prior to submission.

There were general discussions around the preparation for the 2015 season with various marketing initiatives being highlighted. It was felt that a local advertising campaign would be beneficial. It was felt that a partnership approach was necessary and the Council’s Marine Operations Manager advised that he would discuss the matter with Argyll & Bute Council’s Head of Economic Development in the first instance.

Action Point: Marine Operations Manager to discuss a potential advertising campaign with Argyll & Bute Council’s Head of Economic Development and provide feedback to the group.

The next meeting of the group will be held following the next Kintyre Initiative Partnership meeting and the date will be circulated shortly. Members expressed the wish that the meeting take place immediately after the Kintyre Initiative Partnership meeting had finished and this will be investigated.