Inter-Island Ferry Services – Proposed Summer 2020 Timetable
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Item: 10 Development and Infrastructure Committee: 12 November 2019. Inter-Island Ferry Services – Proposed Summer 2020 Timetable. Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure. 1. Purpose of Report To consider the proposed inter-island ferry services timetables for summer 2020. 2. Recommendations The Committee is invited to note: 2.1. That the inter-island ferry services timetables for summer 2020 are scheduled to operate from 3 May to 28 September 2020. 2.2. That draft timetables in respect of ferry services to be operated by Orkney Ferries Limited during summer 2020 were presented to the Ferry Services Consultative Forum for consideration on 21 August 2019, with main comments and representations from transport representatives outlined in section 4 of this report. 2.3. That, on 19 September 2019, the proposed timetables, together with feedback from the Ferry Services Consultative Forum, were considered by the Board of Orkney Ferries Limited and recommended to the Council for implementation. 2.4. That the proposed timetables, attached as Appendix 1 to this report, remain broadly consistent with those operated during summer 2019, including the Tuesday and Thursday return link from Eday to Sanday for education purposes, which was trialled during 2018 to 2019. 2.5. That, in advance of the Council’s budget setting process for 2020 to 2021 being concluded, any decision on the proposed Orkney Ferries summer timetable for 2020 will be subject to an adequate service revenue budget being established for financial year 2020 to 2021. Page 1. It is recommended: 2.6. That, subject to an adequate service revenue budget being established for financial year 2020 to 2021, the timetables in respect of ferry services to be operated by Orkney Ferries Limited during summer 2020, attached as Appendix 1 to this report, be approved. 3. Background 3.1. In accordance with the Service Level Agreements entered into by Orkney Ferries Limited and the Council, a recommendation from the Board of Orkney Ferries must be made via the Head of Marine Services, Engineering and Transportation in order for the winter and summer timetable periods to be approved by this Committee. 3.2. The draft timetables for summer 2020 were considered by the Ferry Services Consultative Forum on 21 August 2019. The key issues discussed at the Forum are outlined in section 4 below. 3.3. The draft timetables and feedback from the Forum were considered by the Board of Orkney Ferries Limited on19 September 2019. 4. Ferry Services Consultative Forum 4.1. As the timetables have remained consistent over the past few years, the Community Council Transport Representatives had no comments on the proposed summer 2020 timetables, although there is an understanding that there is little room for growth of service with the current budget and infrastructure available. It was noted that the Outline Business Case work, which will outline the future level of service, including vessel replacement, is progressing. 4.2. It was noted that the Tuesday and Thursday link from Eday to Sanday return was incorporated in the timetable for summer 2020 for education purposes as per the summer 2019 timetable which was established on a trial basis. 4.3. The Eday Community Council Transport Representative requested a call in to Eday be incorporated in the Tuesday evening Stronsay sailing to Kirkwall. This represents an additional 20 sailings in a summer season, a total of 400 sailings over the summer in comparison to Stronsay and Sanday with 340 sailings each. The Page 2. availability of the Eday linkspan and additional costs relating to fuel and pier worker costs are also contributing factors, therefore Orkney Ferries recommended that this request should not be approved. The current timetable provides a consistent level of service frequency to all islands therefore the request has not been incorporated in the summer 2020 timetables, attached as Appendix 1 to this report. 4.4. The Ferry Services Manager requested that any events during the year, whether it included a ferry timetable change or not, be advised to the Ferry Service by 31 March each year. 5. Corporate Governance This report relates to governance and procedural issues and therefore does not directly support and contribute to improved outcomes for communities as outlined in the Council Plan and the Local Outcomes Improvement Plan. 6. Financial Implications 6.1. The timetables proposed in this report, attached as Appendix 1, remain broadly consistent with those operated during summer 2019, including the link between Eday and Sanday on a Tuesday and Thursday for Education purposes. It is noted that additional costs associated with this request, estimated at £5,630, will be funded by Education Services by way of a budget virement during 2020 to 2021. 6.2. The cost to the Council of providing a ferry service at a similar level in financial year 2018 to 2019 was £9,515,800, and that relative to budget of £9,515,800, this represents a break-even position. 6.3. In advance of a service budget being established as part of the Council’s annual budget setting process for financial year 2020 to 2021, the level of ferry service provision for next financial year is subject to an adequate budget being made available for that purpose. 6.4. The approved budget for financial year 2019 to 2020 is £9,609,700. Additional funding of £5,300,000 towards ferry services has been approved by Scottish Government during 2019 to 2020, representing a £200,000 reduction on the 2018 to 2019 figure. After allowing for inflation of £294,700, this represents a real term reduction of £200,000 on the ferry service budget which has been applied against the cost of refits. Page 3. 7. Legal Aspects 7.1. Section 153 (2) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 empowers the Council to “acquire, provide, maintain, improve and operate any ferry situated wholly or partly within their area”. 7.2. Orkney Ferries Limited operates the ferry services on behalf of Orkney Islands Council under Service Level Agreements dated 30 May 2008. 7.3. The Service Level Agreements state that the timetables for the winter period should be recommended by the Company to the Council’s Development and Infrastructure Committee for approval. 7.4. The Service Level Agreements state that Orkney Ferries Limited will operate the “Approved Services” and in return for funding from the Council. The definition of Approved Services” covers inter-isles ferry services as approved by the Council. 8. Contact Officers Gavin Barr, Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, extension 2301, e-mail: [email protected] Brian Archibald, Head of Marine Services, Engineering and Transportation, extension 2600, e-mail: [email protected] Laura Cromarty, Transportation Manager, extension 2535, e-mail: [email protected] 9. Appendix Appendix 1: Orkney Ferries Summer 2020 Timetables. Page 4. # www.orkneyferries.co.uk DRAFT SHAPINSAY RO-RO SERVICE SUMMER TIMETABLE EFFECTIVE FROM 3 MAY UNTIL 27 SEPTEMBER 2020 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Shapinsay dep 0730A 0730B 0730B 0730B 0730B Kirkwall dep 0815A 0815B 0815B 0815B 0815B Shapinsay dep 0900A 0900B 0900B 0900B 0900B 0900B 0900A* Kirkwall dep 0945 0945 0945 0945 0945 0945 0945A Shapinsay dep 1030 1030 1030 1030 1030 1030 1030A Kirkwall dep 1130 1130 1130 1130 1130 1130 1130A Shapinsay dep 1330 1330 1330 1330 1330 1330 1330A Kirkwall dep 1415 1415 1415 1415 1415 1415 1415A Shapinsay dep 1515 1515 1515 1515 1515 1515 Kirkwall dep 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600A Shapinsay dep 1645 1645 1645 1645 1645 1645A Kirkwall dep 1730 1730 1730 1730 1730 1730A Shapinsay dep 1730A Kirkwall dep 1815A Shapinsay dep 1900A 1900A Kirkwall dep 1945A 1945A* A Vehicles must be booked before 1400hrs on Saturday. B Vehicles must be booked before 1600hrs the day before sailing. All other vehicle bookings must be made at least one hour before departure. Slight alterations may be made to these sailings on a few Sundays in June, July and August to allow connections with the * other ships - details will be advertised by separate notices. NOTES 1. All vehicle bookings must be made through the Kirkwall Office. Telephone 01856 872044. Vehicles must be available for boarding 15 minutes before departure times, and passengers 5 minutes before 2. departure. No Show Charges - All cancellations must be made by 1600hrs the day before the intended date of travel, or by 1400 on 3. Saturday for sailings marked A, or full charges may apply. For Conditions of Carriage of Passengers and Cargo see notices exhibited in the vessels, company premises and 4. website. For information on this service contact Ferry Services, Shore Street, Kirkwall. Telephone: 01856 872044, Fax: 01856 872921, E-Mail: [email protected] www.orkneyferries.co.uk DRAFT ROUSAY, EGILSAY AND WYRE RO-RO SERVICE SUMMER TIMETABLE EFFECTIVE FROM 3 MAY UNTIL 27 SEPTEMBER 2020 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Rousay dep 0650 0650 0650 0650 0650 0650 Egilsay dep 0710 0710A 0710A 0710A 0710A 0710A Wyre dep 0730 0730A 0730A 0730A 0730A 0730A Rousay dep 0745 0745 0745 0745 0745 0745 Tingwall dep 0820 0820 0820 0820 0820 0840 Rousay dep 0850 0850 0850 0850 0850 Wyre dep 0900 0900 0900 0900 0900 Rousay dep 0910 0910 0910 0910 0910 0910 0915 Egilsay dep 0930 0930 0930 0930 0930 0930A 0935B Wyre dep 0950 0950 0950 0950 0950 0950 0955B Rousay dep 1005 1005 1005 1005 1005 1005 1010 Tingwall dep 1040 1040 1040 1040 1040 1040 1045 Rousay dep 1115 1115 1115 1115 1115 1115 1120