MINUTES OF THE MULL COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING

HELD ON TUESDAY 19^th DECEMBER 2006, CRAIGNURE INN

PRESENT:

Linda Cameron, Chair

         Fiona Brown, Pennyghael/Tiroran  Bert Leitch, Ulva Ferry

         Jim Corbett, Lochbuie                  Hazel Yule, Tobermory

         Adrian Fitness, Craignure              Councillor Alistair MacDougall

         Paul Forster, Salen                       Linda Dawson, Minute/Correspondence Secretary

         PC Fraser, Strathclyde Police      

Also in attendance at the meeting, Richard Morrey Service Science, six representatives from CalMac and six members of the public

1.      Apologies:

Steve Barlow, Tobermory, Ronnie Campbell, Bunessan

Late apologies received from Tony Proud, Dervaig

Chair began by explaining that the agenda would be changed, only issues of an urgent nature would be discussed in order that CalMac could present results of the survey recently undertaken.

In attendance from CalMac were: Peter Timms-Chairman, Lawrie Sinclair-Managing Director, Philip Preston-Operations Director, Ian Fox-Regional Manager Argyll, Hugh Dan MacLennan-Head of Communications and Customer Care and Hugh McPhee-Port Manager, Mull

2.      Minutes and matters arising from the meeting held Wednesday 8th November 2006:

2.1     Minutes:

All items approved as an accurate record.  Proposed by Fiona Brown, seconded by Paul Forster

3.      Proposed Coastal Marine National Park:

Meeting held recently at Craignure organised by Mull and Iona Community Trust (MICT) and Mull Aquaculture Fisheries Association (MAFA).  Since last meeting MICT had spoken to Chair and asked if like to take part, but has had already been advertised and Mull Community Council (MCC) had no input felt inappropriate to be involved at this stage, but e-mail sent offering support to meeting

Event organised by Scottish Executive held 13^th December 2006 in Oban, Chair invited to attend.  This is the first official notification MCC has had regarding the proposed CMNP.  Approximately 40 people in attendance, included Community Councils from other areas, all of the same opinion there had been no consultation about the places proposed for a CMNP.  The majority of attendees did not agree with the way the event was organised and some felt it was not a consultation it was more a promotional event and the agenda had to be altered in view of the feelings expressed.  Contact made with other Community Councils MCC would keep in touch with them.

Chair attended local NFU meeting and they would be sending in a response.  Also spoke to member of Mull Car Club, made them aware that it is important they send in a response and also that the Isle of Mull Rally, which is held in October, also send in response as brings in a lot of income to the island.

Prior to MCC meeting, due to short timescale Chair asked individual Community Councillors to send their comments/views on the proposal.

Councillor MacDougall suggested that stakeholders like CalMac and RNLI should have been consulted.

Important that individual members of the public send in their representations on the proposal of a CMNP to Scottish Executive by 10^th January 2007
 

4.      Planning Application-Carsaig:

E-mail received wanting MCC to support a planning application.  Following discussion agreed to write letter of support.   On reflection Chair made decision that facts had not been discussed fully enough.  No letter would be written at present.

5.      Proposals to introduce a Taxi/Police Stance Craignure Ferry Terminal:

Letter received from Argyll and Bute Council outlining proposed amendments to the Order currently in place.  Following discussion, agreed to support the proposals as set out.                                             Action: LD

6.      House Building Aros, Salen:

Tobermory Community Councillor stated five objections received, public hearing will be held, there is insufficient low cost/affordable housing on the island and would like letter of support sent.  This issue has already been fully discussed at previous MCC meetings and with residents living in the area, a previous letter has already been sent supporting the above.  Gregor Cameron may attend future meeting

7.      Ulva Ferry School Sign:

Councillor MacDougall agreed to speak to Neil Brown                                          Action: AMacD

8.      CalMac:

Phil Preston began by informing those present that the Scottish Executive has now invited tenders for the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services, CalMac are one of two companies invited to bid, which has to be submitted to the Scottish Executive by 3 pm on 11^th May 2007.  There is a specification to work to and CalMac are currently working through the documentation.

Following the last meeting between CalMac and MCC, Richard Morrey of Service Science, (an independent market research company) who has worked with CalMac over a number of years was asked to undertake a survey on Mull.  He was asked to test the opinion and general dis-satisfaction with the ferry service.  Consultations with the public were carried out by six people from out of the area, completely independent of any organisation with no biased opinion.  There were three categories:

²     Residents (R):  whose first home is on Mull

²     Tourists (T):   travelling a long distance from home for a holiday

²     Non-Mull Residents (NMR):  did not fit into either above category or travelling on business

One hundred hours of interviewing carried out over a three week period during October and November 2006, which coincided with half-term and the Mull Rally, 527 people were interviewed (151 R, 121 NMR and 255 T) in the following areas:

²     Oban ferry terminal and town

²     Craignure terminal

²     Tobermory ferry terminal and town

²     Fionnphort terminal

²     MV Isle of Mull

²     Other selected areas on island of Mull

Questions were asked in the following categories:

²     Frequency of travel (daily, weekly, monthly)

²     Purpose of travel (business, shopping, holiday, commuting)

²     Mode of transport (commercial vehicles, cars, foot, other)

²     Ticket type (multi, 5 day, commercial)

²     Route normally travelled (Oban-Craignure, Fionnphort-Iona)

²     Booking method (Telephone, CalMac office, web)

²     Terminals (tidy, clean and layout)

²     Port staff (appearance, polite, friendly, helpful)

²     Ferry staff (appearance, polite, friendly, helpful)

²     Service on board ferry (value for money, food, shop)

²     Service quality (value for money, food, shop, fares)

Open ended questions:

²     What would you like – 87% had opinion, 13 no opinion

o       35% cheaper fares

o       34% more crossings in winter

o       15% more crossings in summer

o       15% additional later service

o       16% not to feel discriminated against – perception in favour of tourists

o       7% more flexibility particularly 30 minutes prior to sailing and timetabling

o       6% food could be improved

²     What concerns do you have:

o       48% had a concern

o       15% price rises, expensive fares

o       7% tourist favoured

o       4% service cuts, future of CalMac

o       4% poor links with transport

o       3% privatisation, new operator

o       Non-Mull residents would like a bar/coffee shop inside ferry terminal and free toilets

In summary, overall results generally very positive:

²     Mull residents mixed opinion of the shop

²     Food and drink room for improvement, too expensive

²     Fares too expensive

²     Perception that CalMac favours its tourist market to the detriment of the service to islanders

²     Corporate attitude

²     Would like more crossings, particularly in winter

²     CalMac staff are excellent

This concluded the presentation by Richard Morrey of Service Science.

Chair asked for comments from results of the survey from MCC, before opening up to the public.  The notes taken are available.

9.      Time and Date of Next Meeting:

7.30 pm Wednesday 10th January 2007, Craignure Hall