11 RTP/09/41

TAYSIDE AND CENTRAL SCOTLAND TRANSPORT PARTNERSHIP

22 SEPTEMBER 2009

DIRECTOR’S REPORT This report updates the Partnership on various matters of interest and relevance to the work of the Partnership and seeks agreement to related proposals.

1 RECOMMENDATIONS

1.1 That the Partnership :-

(i) endorses the nomination of the Director to represent RTP interests in the development of national SOA guidance;

(ii) agrees to invite the Chief Executive of Transport Scotland to meet with the Partnership at its next meeting on 15 December 2009;

(iii) agrees to support in principle the Hitrans “Oban 5” rail enhancement proposals, as outlined in the report;

(iv) agrees to invite the TAYplan Manager to attend the next meeting of the Partnership on 15 December 2009;

(v) remits the Director to report on arrangements for comprehensive review of the Regional Transport Strategy to a future meeting; and

(vi) notes the various updates and other information provided in the report.

2 DISCUSSION Forum of Chairs of Regional Transport Partnerships

2.1 The last meeting of the RTP Chairs Forum was hosted by Tactran in Perth on 9 September 2009. The meeting was attended and Chaired by Councillor Will Dawson. The Minute of that meeting will be circulated for information/interest when available. The Minute of the previous Chairs meeting, held in Shetland on 3 June 2009, is attached at Appendix A for information.

2.2 A number of items discussed on 9 September are summarised below. The Agenda for the day also included a meeting between the RTP Chairs and the new Chief Executive of Transport Scotland, and with representatives of the Confederation of Passenger Transport.

Alternative Funding Opportunities

2.3 As reported in previous Director’s Reports RTP, CoSLA and Scottish Government officers are exploring alternative sources of funding transport improvements in Scotland. A paper on this is being submitted to the next Joint RTPs/CoSLA Transport Strategy Group meeting on 30 October. Various options including Prudential Borrowing and European Funding opportunities are being investigated.

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Single Outcome Agreements (SOAs)

2.4 The Chairs received a report on RTP engagement with the second generation of Community Planning Partnership (CPP) SOAs. It was noted that all 7 RTPs had engaged positively in the development of the 2009/10 SOAs and that all had either formally signed or endorsed the 32 CPP SOAs. Over the summer the Chair has signed the Dundee City, Perth & Kinross and Stirling SOAs, the Deputy Chair having previously signed the Angus SOA.

2.5 The Joint Transport Strategy Group had previously agreed to recommend to CoSLA, Scottish Government and the Improvement Service that RTPs should be more closely involved in the ongoing development of national Guidance and a model Performance Framework for SOAs. This was being developed by a “High Level Group” under the auspices of the Improvement Service, with input from CoSLA, Councils, Health, Police, Fire and Rescue and Further Education and Community Planning interests. Following a meeting between RTP Lead Officers and the Improvement Service, the RTP Chairs have agreed to nominate the Director of Tactran to represent RTP interests on the national Community Planning Group, which is now taking this work forward.

Meeting with Chief Executive of Transport Scotland

2.6 There was a constructive discussion on the future development of the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR). The Chief Executive of Transport Scotland reaffirmed Scottish Government’s current priorities as being the Forth Replacement Crossing, Edinburgh – Glasgow Rail Improvement Programme, Aberdeen – Inverness rail enhancements and Highland Main Line rail enhancements. Within the context of the current economic climate it was recognised that funding to bring forward other STPR projects was extremely limited and the Chairs highlighted the work that was ongoing on exploring other potential sources of transport funding, as referred to in 2.3 above.

2.7 There was agreement on the need for ongoing liaison between Transport Scotland and RTPs on progressing projects contained within the STPR, including agreeing and working collaboratively on early project development work and feasibility studies. It was noted that a number of RTPs are already liaising with Transport Scotland on detailed appraisals and business case development for projects identified within the STPR, including Strategic Park & Ride, strategic rail and other projects. It was agreed that the RTPs would submit a proposal for ongoing liaison to Transport Scotland and Scottish Government for consideration. RTP Lead Officers will be discussing this at a meeting on 30 September.

2.8 Concerns over the need for commitment to delivery of a number of other regional priorities were raised, including enhancement of Dundee Station.

2.9 The Chief Executive of Transport Scotland indicated a desire to meet with each of the RTPs. As outlined in separate reports, work is continuing on various projects, including Strategic Park & Ride and the Tay Estuary Rail Study, which have direct and indirect relevance to a number of STPR projects. It is proposed that the Chief Executive of Transport Scotland is invited to attend the Partnership’s next meeting on 15 December 2009 to discuss how STPR and RTS priorities can be progressed.

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Meeting with Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT)

2.10 The RTP Chairs meet periodically with senior CPT representatives to consider opportunities for joint working on strategic buses policy and strategy development. This meeting was also be attended by Brian Juffs, Scottish Government’s recently appointed Senior Bus Development Advisor, who has been employed to liaise with RTPs, Councils, the bus industry and other stakeholders on implementation of the buses elements of the National Transport Strategy and associated national Buses Action Plan. Alastair Mitchell of Scottish Government’s Transport Directorate was also in attendance.

2.11 The RTPs updated CPT on progress in approval and publication of finalised Regional Transport Strategies; Buses sub-Strategies; RTS Delivery Plans and RTP engagement in the development of 2009/10 Single Outcome Agreements. Following discussion with CPT and the Senior Bus Development Advisor on these and the key themes of the National Buses Action Plan and associated Scottish Government Guidance on partnership working, Statutory Quality Partnerships and Park & Ride, there was agreement that future meetings should focus on a number of key areas where it was felt that collaborative working by RTPs and CPT could enhance the role of buses, as follows :-

• Salary Sacrifice schemes; • strategic promotion of Traveline and improving travel information; • Demand Responsive Transport and integration of this within the wider public

transport network; • Strategic Park & Ride; • Traffic congestion and bus reliability/priority; • Integrated ticketing; • Access to health

2.12 It was agreed that RTP officers and CPT officials would meet to consider opportunities for developing joint approaches to progressing the above areas. Many of these are currently identified as priorities within the Partnership’s own Buses, Travel Information, Park & Ride and Travel Planning Action Plans and RTS Delivery Plan and there are opportunities for collaborative working and sharing of best practice with other RTPs and CPT on further development of these initiatives.

RTP Chairs/CoSLA Joint Transport Strategy Task Group

2.13 The second meeting of the Joint Transport Strategy Task Group, which consists of the 7 RTP Chairs and 7 members of CoSLA’s Regeneration & Sustainable Development Executive Group was held in CoSLA’s offices on 30 June 2009. The meeting was attended by the Deputy Chair, Councillor Alan Jack. The Draft Minute of that meeting is attached at Appendix B for information.

2.14 Amongst the key items discussed were developments in Bus Policy based on a presentation by the Senior Bus Development Advisor; arrangements for statutory review of Regional Transport Strategies; High Speed Rail; research into options for funding transport infrastructure; and European Transport Policy developments, most of which were developed further at the RTP Chairs Forum meeting on 9 September, as outlined above.

2.15 The next meeting of the Group is to be held at CoSLA’s offices on 30 October 2009.

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High Speed Rail (HSR)

2.16 The Partnership noted developments on proposals for a High Speed Rail (HSR) network within the UK, including work on making the case for extension of HSR to Scotland, at it’s meeting on 23 June 2009. At that time the Partnership agreed to reaffirm its support for the extension of HSR to Scotland. In doing so the Partnership agreed that planned improvements to rail capacity, frequency and journey times, including extension of electrification of the Scottish rail network beyond Edinburgh – Glasgow as envisaged by the STPR, should be implemented to support and complement an overall HSR strategy for delivering enhanced rail connectivity and economic benefits to the whole of Scotland (Report RTP/09/32 refers).

2.17 The conclusions of the HSR2 Group, established by the Department for Transport to investigate the opportunities for extending HSR beyond London, initially to Birmingham and subsequently northwards, are due to be submitted to the UK Transport Minister by the year end. The Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change has established a Scottish Stakeholder group, under the auspices of Transport Scotland, to investigate and demonstrate the economic case for extending HSR to Scotland. This includes officer representation from SEStran, SPT and Nestrans. The Director of Nestrans is representing views of the 4 RTPs north of the Central Belt and has been made aware of Tactran’s support for extension of HSR to Scotland in the terms agreed on 23 June 2009 and outlined in 2.16 above.

2.18 The Stakeholder Group is currently developing a business case in time for the HSR2 group’s report to the UK Secretary of State for Transport at the end of 2009. It has been recognised that the case should reflect the need for HSR to benefit all of Scotland. Early discussions have focussed on inter-connectivity between Scottish and English cities; the location of Scottish termini; freight access; linkage to Heathrow Airport; linkages to the rest of the Scottish rail network; and securing landing slots at London airports which are freed up by HSR for more peripheral UK airports. It is understood that there will be an opportunity for RTPs to input to the case being prepared by the Stakeholder Group, prior to submission to HSR2.

2.19 Network Rail has recently published a New Lines Programme, which includes proposals for a HSR network. At the time of writing this is still being examined, but it appears to make a case for HSR being extended to Scotland, with termini at both Edinburgh and Glasgow. However, the Network Rail proposals also appear to be based on an assumption that existing through services between London and Aberdeen/Inverness would be withdrawn, severing the existing direct East Coast Main Line connections from key stations in the Tactran region to London and the south. In addition to providing direct connections to London these services are an important element of the overall passenger capacity north of Edinburgh. Concerns over these aspects of the Network Rail proposals are shared by Nestrans and Hitrans.

Hitrans “Oban 5” Rail Service Enhancement Proposals

2.20 Hitrans has undertaken a study into rail service enhancements between Oban and Glasgow. The justification is that Oban is the largest settlement in Scotland served by a minimum rail service of 3 trains per day. The study proposes increasing this to 5 trains per day. These would serve 2 stations in the Tactran region at Tyndrum Lower and Crianlarich. There is currently an enhanced service of 4 trains per day on summer Saturdays and on Mondays to Fridays an AM peak service also operates between Arrochar & Tarbet and Glasgow serving the southern end of the line.

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2.21 Demand forecasts have been calculated for optimistic and pessimistic passenger growth scenarios. These suggest that under the optimistic scenario the 2 Tactran stations would expect an additional 1,000 passengers per year while the pessimistic scenario suggests no significant increase in passenger numbers. Under either scenario increased patronage through Oban station accounts for over two-thirds of the total growth.

2.22 The improved service would need an additional train unit and associated staffing. There would be no need for additional Capital investment. The stated Benefit : Cost Ratio (BCR) is in the range 3.9 – 5.0. The enhancement would require an additional subsidy of £450,000 approximating to a Subsidy per Passenger in the opening year of £37.50.

2.23 Hitrans has approached Transport Scotland with a view to including the proposed enhanced service in the new ScotRail franchise from 2014 and to investigate the possibilities for funding it in the interim. They have also sought support from neighbouring RTPs, Tactran and SPT.

2.24 It is suggested that the proposals should be supported in principle as there would be

benefits to the areas served by stations at Tyndrum and Crianlarich. However, the implications for services between Crianlarich and Fort William, also serving Tyndrum Upper and Rannoch Stations in the region, need to be clarified. The proposals suggest a strong BCR though the total number of passengers who would benefit would be significantly less than under the TERS proposals, which remains the main RTS rail service enhancement priority in the Tactran RTS, and priority for resourcing through cascade of spare rolling stock freed up through the ScotRail franchise.

TAYplan Strategic Development Plan and Local Development Plans 2.25 At its meeting on 10 March 2009 the Partnership noted that the Scottish Government

Directorate for the Built Environment had confirmed that RTPs have been designated as Key Agencies in relation to development planning (Report RTP/09/19 refers). Planning authorities responsible for the new Strategic Development Plans (SDPs) and Local Development Plans (LDPs) are expected to fully involve Key Agencies in the SDP/LDP preparation processes. Legislation also places a duty on Key Agencies to cooperate with planning authorities in the compilation of SDP/LDP Main Issues Reports; Proposed Plans, and the preparation of associated Action Programmes.

2.26 The strategic relationships between land use and transportation planning and

delivery will clearly form an important element of the SDP and LDPs in the Tactran region. This paper updates the Partnership on progress on engagement with planning authorities on the emerging SDP/LDPs.

TAYplan SDP for Dundee, Perth, Angus and North Fife 2.27 The SDP will set out a long-term (20 years or more) development strategy indicating,

in broad terms, where future development will be located and what is needed to deliver this. TAYplan published its Development Plan Scheme in March 2009.

2.28 TAYplan has established a Key Stakeholders Group, which is now meeting roughly

6-weekly to contribute to the development of the SDP. Current work is focussed on development of the Main Issues Report (MIR), which is expected to be issued for formal consultation in December 2009 and into early 2010. It is currently envisaged that the Proposed Plan will be published for consultation in December 2010 with an anticipated adoption, after examination and approval by Scottish Ministers, in Spring 2013.

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2.29 The Director and other officers are contributing to work on the development of the

SDP through the Key Stakeholders group and various other workshops which have been held in relation to visioning and on transportation issues.

2.30 Consultation on the MIR and Proposed Plan will be the subject of detailed reports to future meetings around early 2010 and late 2012. Progress on ongoing development of the SDP will also be reported to the Partnership as appropriate.

2.31 At its previous meeting on 24 June 2008 the Partnership agreed to invite the SDP Manager, when appointed, to become an Adviser to the Partnership, as a means of achieving close strategic liaison on land use and transportation planning. Pamela Ewen took up the post of SDP Manager in May 2009 and it is proposed that Ms Ewen is invited to the Partnership’s next meeting to give a presentation on the arrangements for development of the SDP, and to contribute to the ongoing work of the Partnership in an advisory capacity, as appropriate.

Local Development Plans

2.32 The 6 LDP authorities in the Tactran region – Angus, Dundee City, Perth & Kinross and Stirling Councils, Cairngorms National Park (CNP) and the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park (LL&TNP) – all published their Local Development Plan Schemes in March 2009. The published programmes for each of the LDPs is summarised in the table below:-

Key LDP Stage

Angus Dundee City

Perth & Kinross

Stirling CNP LL & TNP

Consultation on Main Issues Report

Dec 2010

Dec 2010 – early 2011

Apr – Jul 2010

May – Jul 2010

Mar – May 2010

Apr – Jun 2011

Consultation on Proposed Plan

Dec 2011

Early 2012

Sep – Nov 2011

May – Jul 2011

Jul – Oct 2010

Jan – Apr 2012

Adoption of Plan

Late 2013 / early 2014

Dec 2013 Oct 2014

Dec 2012

Nov 2011

May 2013

Publication of Action Plan

Late 2013 / early 2014

By Mar 2013

Jan 2015

Mar 2013

2011 2013

2.33 In accordance with the requirements of legislation officers are engaging with each of the emerging LDP processes. Reports on the key stages and consultations, as outlined in the above table, will be reported to future meetings of the Partnership.

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2.34 As highlighted in the Minute of the Joint Transport Strategy Group meeting on 30 June 2009 at Appendix B (Branch 4 refers), discussions are continuing with Scottish Government on the statutory requirement to review Regional Transport Strategies every 4 years, as indicated in the statutory RTS Guidance of March 2006. Consideration will need to be given to the alignment of comprehensive review of the RTS with the SDP and LDPs and this has been raised with Scottish Government officials, as noted in Appendix B. A report setting out proposals for major review of the RTS will be submitted to a future meeting once further advice is received from Scottish Government on their expectations with regard to statutory review of RTSs.

3 RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS

3.1 This report has no direct or additional financial or other resource implications.

Eric Guthrie Director For further information email ericguthrie@tactran.gov.uk or tel. 01738 475771

NOTE The following background papers, as defined by Section 50D of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (and not containing confidential or exempt information) were relied on to a material extent in preparing this Report :- Network Rail New Lines Programme : Strategic Business Case : August 2009 Hitrans “Oban 5” Rail Service Enhancement Proposals TAYplan Development Plan Scheme : March 2009 Angus Development Plan Scheme (1) : March 2009 Dundee City Local Development Plan Scheme : March 2009 Perth & Kinross Development Plan Scheme : March 2009 Stirling Local Development Plan - Development Plan Scheme : March 2009 (Amended) Cairngorms National Park Development Plan Scheme : March 2009 Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Development Plan Scheme : Updated August 2009

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Meeting of Chairs of the Regional Transport Partnerships  

Shetland  

3 June 2009 Minute of meeting 

 Present:    Cllr Allan Wishart, Chair, ZetTrans (Chair)     Cllr Russell Imrie, Chair, SESTRAN     Cllr Brian Collins, Chair, SWESTRANS 

Cllr Kevin Stewart, Chair, Nestrans  Cllr Duncan MacIntyre, Chair, Hitrans Cllr Alan Jack, Vice Chair,TACTRAN Cllr Davie McLachlan, Vice Chair, SPT Cllr Iris Hawkins, Vice Chair, ZetTrans Cllr Alison Hay, COSLA 

 In attendance: Cllr Sandy Cluness, Convenor, Shetland Islands Council (for item 1) 

Derick Murray, Nestrans Alex Macaulay, SESTRAN Dave Duthie, HITRANS Michael Craigie, ZetTrans Alistair Speedie, SWESTRANS Eric Guthrie, TACTRAN Rodney Mortimer, SPT Bruce Kiloh, SPT Anil Gupta, COSLA Judith Ainslie, Scottish Government (for item 6)  

Item  Action 

1.  Welcome and Introductions Cllr Allan Wishart, ZetTrans, as host RTP, took the Chair, welcomed everyone to the meeting, and invited Cllr Cluness to make some opening remarks.  Cllr Cluness welcomed all to the Shetland Islands and emphasised the importance of transport and continued partnership working.  Apologies were noted from; Cllr Alistair Watson, Chair, SPT 

‐ 

2. Note of Chairs meeting on 4 December 2008  The minute of the above meeting was agreed as a true record, subject to correcting a typographical error which listed Cllr Imrie as SPT when it should have read SESTRAN.  

   RTP Secretariat 

Appendix A

9

3. Matters Arising  The following issues were raised:  Eric Guthrie noted that Cllr Fraser Macpherson was no longer Chair of TACTRAN and that a new Chair would be elected on 23 June.   Cllr Imrie suggested that the RTP Chairs thanks to Cllr Macpherson be conveyed in a letter to him. This was agreed.  Nestrans Access to Healthcare plan is now available on their website.  Cllr Collins asked that best wishes be conveyed from the RTP Chairs to Cllr Watson for a speedy recovery from his recent illness.   Dave Duthie confirmed that a paper on rural garages would be presented to a forthcoming meeting.   Alistair Speedie noted that RTPs had been afforded key agency status in new planning legislation.  Dave Duthie noted that the Scot Govt were consulting on SPP17, and that HITRANS were happy to share their response.  Cllr Hay noted that she had written to Council Chief Executives emphasising the importance of RTPs in the Single Outcome Agreement process.  After this item, Michael Craigie gave a brief presentation on current work by ZetTrans, including:  

• The importance of air and ferry travel to the Shetlands, and the significant costs in maintaining connections 

• How sustainable transport connections were a lifeline for many communities in Shetlands 

• The lack of opportunities for planning gain, particularly in the current economic climate 

• The large investment which would be needed in infrastructure and services in the future 

• That transport accounted for 20% of the total Shetland Islands Council budget. 

  

    E Guthrie    RTP Secretariat  ‐   RTP Secretariat   D Duthie   ‐   D Duthie   ‐      

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4.  Note of Cabinet Secretary meeting  

Rodney Mortimer presented paper.  During discussion, the Chairs noted: 

• The need to arrange a meeting between Transport Scotland and the RTP Chairs 

• How the Cab Sec was keen for RTPs to focus on delivery • The ongoing need for RTPs to be fully engaged in the 

Community Planning process  Furthermore, the Chairs agreed: 

• To invite David Middleton, Transport Scotland, and Jonathan Pryce, Scottish Government, to meet with RTP Chairs 

 

            RTP Secretariat  

5.  Minutes of RTP / COSLA Joint Transport Group  Bruce Kiloh presented paper.  During discussion, the Chairs noted: 

• The positive nature of the first meeting • Concerns about membership of the Committee of the 

Regions • The need for further awareness about COSLA’s 

involvement with European issues • The need for RTPs to engage better with Europe 

 Furthermore, the Chairs agreed: 

• To a suggestion by Cllr Hay that updates on the Ctte of the Regions be circulated 

• That issues raised above be discussed at the next RTP Lead Officers meeting 

 

             COSLA  RTP Secretariat  

6.  Presentation on Ferries Review  

Judith Ainslie of the Scot Govt gave a presentation on the above.  A discussion followed on the contents of the presentation, and the Chairs asked that a copy of the presentation be circulated for information.  The Chair thanked Judith for her informative presentation.    

     RTP Secretariat 

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7.  Transport Infrastructure Investment  Anil Gupta presented paper, and the Chairs noted the contents of the report.   

  ‐ 

8.  National Transport Strategy Stakeholders group  Bruce Kiloh presented paper.  After discussion, the Chairs agreed: 

• That Cllr Imrie be the deputy for Cllr Watson on the group • To seek clarification from the Scot Govt on progress on the 

Freight Action Plan • The need to emphasise the work RTPs were doing in 

relation to DRT, Accessibility Planning, Integrated Ticketing 

• That Cllr Watson or an officer offer to do a presentation on the progress being made by RTPs to the group 

 

     RTP Secretariat  “  “   “ 

9.  STPR  Rodney Mortimer presented paper.  Lead officers of each RTP then gave an update on the level of engagement they were having with TS on progressing the STPR.   After discussion, the Chairs agreed: 

• That a summary of each RTPs level of engagement with TS on the STPR be prepared.  

 

         RTP Lead officers 

10. CPT Conference at Perth  Bruce Kiloh presented paper.  Eric Guthrie circulated a more recent version of the agenda.  After discussion, the Chairs agreed: 

• That Cllr Imrie represent them at the conference. 

       RTP Secretariat / SESTRAN 

11. Air Ferries  

This item was covered in the presentation by Michael Craigie after ‘Matters Arising’ and was therefore passed over.   

   ‐ 

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12. Revision of Regional Transport Strategies  Derick Murray presented paper.  After discussion, the Chairs noted the contents of the report.   

  ‐ 

13. High Speed Rail  Alex Macaulay and Bruce Kiloh gave a verbal update on progress being made on high speed rail, particularly a paper prepared by the business‐led group, High Speed to Scotland.  During discussion, the Chairs noted: 

• The importance of all Scotland benefiting from high speed rail 

 Furthermore the Chairs agreed: 

• That the HS2S paper be an agenda item on the next COSLA/RTP Chairs Joint Transport Group meeting 

• That, in principle, the RTP Chairs were supportive of high speed rail connections to Scotland, provided all Scotland benefits. 

• AMac to amend paper and re‐circulate  

           RTP Secretariat / COSLA   AMac  

14.  Review of Air Services in the Highlands and Islands  Michael Craigie gave a verbal update on this, noting that it was a joint project with HITRANs, focusing on potential gaps identified by the STPR, and that work was ongoing.  The Chairs noted this progress.   

       ‐ 

 15. AOB  None. 

  ‐ 

 16. Date of next meeting  Date of next meeting is 2 September 2009 in Perth.  

  ‐ 

 

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Appendix B

DRAFT MINUTE OF MEETING OF JOINT TRANSPORT STRATEGY GROUP

COSLA Offices, Edinburgh 30 June 2009

Present: Cllr Alison Hay (in the Chair) Cllr Duncan MacIntyre Argyll & Bute Council Cllr Brian Collins Dumfries & Galloway Council Cllr John Laing Highland Council Cllr Russell Imrie Midlothian Council Cllr Mark Griffin North Lanarkshire Council Cllr Ian Gray South Lanarkshire Council Cllr Alan Jack TACTRAN Rodney Mortimer SPT Ian Bruce SCOTS Rab Dickson NESTRANS Others: Brian Juff Scottish Government Anil Gupta COSLA Kristen Miller COSLA Apologies: Cllr Donald Manford Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Cllr Tony Martin Fife Council Cllr Alistair Watson Glasgow City Council Cllr David Fagan North Lanarkshire Council Cllr Allan Wishart Shetland Islands Council Cllr Will Dawson TACTRAN Cllr Kevin Stewart Aberdeen City Council Ron Culley SPT Iain Gabriel SCOTS 1. Welcome and Apologies Cllr Hay opened the meeting and apologised for the late start of the meeting. She indicated that quite a number of apologies had been received and several others were noted from the group. 2. Minutes and Matters Arising The minutes of the last meeting were accepted as accurate. Several matters arising were noted:

• Videoconferencing – Unfortunately the SESTRANS offices in Edinburgh were not available for this meeting. We will see if we can organise future meetings so that ‘remote’ councillors can attend a board room style meeting.

• Cllr Hay wrote to Leaders of Councils regarding the involvement of the RTPs in the CPPs. Cllr Hay remarked that from information from the Scottish Government she understands that most SOAs have transportation included in this second round.

• Follow up work is needed on a paper on the freight industry – the Scottish Government have convened a group to look at this in detail. A report will be prepared for a future meeting.

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• Follow up work is also needed on the paper on air links to remoter island communities and the work plan.

• The paper on alternative funding is still pending. • Transport Scotland were invited to attend the group but couldn’t attend due to other

diary commitments. Cllr Hay indicated the date of the next meeting should be set to make sure that Transport Scotland can attend.

Cllr Hay asked for roundtable comments on experiences of engaging in the SOA process in the second round. Comments were received from attendees and were largely very positive, reporting no major problems with the process. 3. Bus Policy – Presentation by Brian Juffs (Scottish Government) Cllr Hay introduced Brian Juffs who is the newly appointed Senior Bus Development Advisor on secondment to the Scottish Government. Brian Juffs indicated he would prefer a discussion with the group rather than a presentation and gave the group a description of his background in public transport, with StageCoach, and CPT. He explained the aim of his new post is to champion Scottish Government bus policies across key stakeholders as well as to identify, highlight and spread best practice. A lively discussion was had about various aspects of Brian’s role and the concerns of the group with various bus issues including the quality of school buses, integrated ticketing and the problems facing remote and rural areas. The following action points arose from the discussion:

• Brian Juffs to circulate TG4 Toolkit via COSLA • BAP Matrix to be recirculated via COSLA (Brian Juffs to supply) • COSLA to consider suggestion to invite Traveline to present to the group • Brian Juffs requested invitation from RTPs and LAs to meet with him. • Cllr Hay to write to Nicola Sturgeon asking for NHS boards to engage with the Bus

Development Officer • Cllr Hay offered to co-host any sessions that Brian might want to have with local

government. • COSLA to speak to ATCO/SCOTS about supply Brian with information on community

transport/DRT. 4. Review of Regional Transport Strategies The paper was presented by Rab Dickson from NESTRANS. The paper was to inform the group and ask the Scottish Government about when new guidance for Regional Transport Strategies will be available and what it will involve. Issues include how proscriptive it will be, what evidence base will be used and what the relationship will be between regional transport strategies and LTRs, SOAs, STPR, etc. Rab indicated a 2 year time period would be preferable for future strategies. The group was asked to note the paper and be made aware of the current thinking. There was some discussion among the group about how urgent this issue was, with some feeling no strong pressure to review the current strategy as it is already viewed as a working document which evolves over time. However it was noted that the original guidance called for a review after 4 years (which would be 2012).

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Action: The Group is to be kept up to date and consulted on the process. 5. High Speed Rail This paper was presented by ? The group were told that the company HS2 are to explore the possibility of a high speed rail network across the UK. Several issues were raised as needing further work by HS2 including the need to further explore the economic benefits of any high speed rail project, the need to consider Scotland as a whole and the need for high speed rail to be on a separate line so that existing local lines can be improved. There will be future reports to the group on developments. A discussion followed about some of the issues for Scotland with a High Speed Rail line including concerns that slots at Heathrow would not be reallocated to less accessible Scottish airports if a high speed rail line reduced the need for some slots serving Glasgow/Edinburgh. There was a consensus around the table to support a high speed rail line with the caveat that this would need to be accompanied by air slots at Heathrow for Scotland and improvements to routes north of the central belt. Action: It was agreed that a paper on the issue would go to the 11th September Regeneration and Sustainable Development Executive Group and COSLA would look to get someone to give a presentation to the Executive Group on this issue. 6. Transport Infrastructure Investment Update Anil Gupta presented this paper. The group was told that no further progress had been made on this issue since they were last informed but that the issue would be brought back to the group in due course. 7. European Transport Policy Anil Gupta presented this paper which outlined the European Transport policy priorities as agreed at the last Regeneration and Sustainable Transport Executive Group and asked for any comments. Concern was raised that none of the Committee of the Regions representatives for Scotland are involved in transport issues. Cllr Hay informed the group she has written to all the Scottish MEPs following the recent elections to say they might want to consider a transport committee. Actions:

• Cllr Hay to write a follow up letter to Scottish MEPs asking which committees they are sitting on.

• MEPs and CoR representatives to be invited to attend the next JTSG. 8. AOB No issues where raised. 9. Date of Next Meeting 30th October in the afternoon was agreed as the date for the next meeting, exact time and confirmation will go out by email.

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