CalMac are running a consultation on proposed changes to the current ‘waitlist’ process; to be replaced with an ‘advanced standby’.
This consultation will be open from the 5th of September 2022 and will close on the 5th of October 2022.
You can find details of this proposal and how to submit a response to the consultation in the document below:
A few months ago CalMac carried out a consultation on proposed changes to the Terms and Conditions placed on customers when ordering tickets.
We have received a feedback document regarding the findings and recommended outcomes from this process – you can read this in full below.
Many times over the years, Tiree Community Council has discussed the difficulties islanders face getting a ferry slot during busy periods.
Mull have been working to convince the Scottish Government and CalMac to find a way to give islanders fair access to ferry space, when so much of it is booked months in advance by visitors.
The ‘Samso System’ is modelled on arrangements used on the Danish island of Samso that ensure island residents get equal access to ferry space. The Samso ferry company reserves car deck space on every sailing that can only be pre-sold to island residents (or other essential regular users from the mainland like GPs and delivery drivers). They adjust the amount of space reserved for islanders on each sailing, using past carrying data as a guide. This increases the likelihood that islanders will be able to buy a vehicle ticket on the sailing of their choice, and helps to make ticket availability more equal, regardless of whether you have booked your ticket months in advance for a holiday, or days in advance for a shopping trip.
More than 700 respondents from Mull and Iona completed an online survey about this, with an overwhelming 95% in support. Coll have also canvassed islanders on the proposal and found a similar level of support.
Mull and Iona Ferry Committee have now met Jenny Gilruth, the Minister of Transport in the Scottish Government. She and Transport Scotland have committed to implementing some kind of prioritisation system on a trial basis next summer. The trial will be on at least one route – Craignure-Oban – but they are open to running on others. Tiree and Coll need to decide whether to apply to be part of this pilot.
We will discuss this at our September public meeting. Let us know what you think.
The Scottish Government are running a consultation on a new Agriculture Bill – the bill will set out a strategy for supporting agriculture in Scotland.
Follow the link below to find out more, and to reply to the consultation.
We have received some correspondence with details of a range of online events, encouraging women to participate in politics at all levels. You can find details of these events below:
In September, Elect Her – a non-partisan CIC supporting women on their political journey – are hosting a month-long series of webinars, entitled Her Life in Politics, exploring every role in Scottish politics. Each Tuesday at 7:30-9pm, elected representatives from across the political spectrum will share their journey into politics and experiences since.
On Tuesday 20th 7:30-9pm, the webinar will focus on Community Councillors, hearing from Karen Harcus, Alison Lowe and Elizabeth Brown and with facilitation from former community councillor and chair Lauren Bennie. This webinar is a great opportunity for any woman motivated to create positive change in her community to learn how becoming a community councillor can help put ideas into action, learning from other women’s lived experience and meeting like-minded women along the way.
If you know a fantastic woman who you would like to encourage to become a community councillor, please invite them to this free online event so they can start their political journey today. Full details on the event, including how to book, are available here: https://www.elect-her.org.uk/events-workshops/her-life-as-a-community-councillor
The full webinar programme is as follows:
All webinars are open to women from across Britain, either new or existing members of the Elect Her community, and will be BSL interpreted and include closed captioning.
Should you have any further queries, please contact:
Rosie Trevill: rosie@elect-her.org.uk
Community & Communications Coordinator
(She/her)
We have received the following reply from Argyll and Bute Council regarding the issue of lighting around the school.
Dear Dr Holliday,
Thank you for your letter to Douglas Hendry on behalf of Tiree Community Council regarding exterior lighting at Tiree High School.
I can confirm that all but 2 of the exterior lights at the school are timed to switch off at 7pm which allows cleaning staff to leave the building and get to their cars safely as there are no street lights and these provide the only lighting in the area.
In relation to the 2 other lights, one stays on until 10pm and is located at the gym door to support school lets, the other is at the staff door so that staff can also come and go to support the lets or attend meetings in the school which go on later than 7pm.
The safety of all users of the school will always be the Education Service’s top priority and we would not look to change the current arrangements that we have in place, at this time. It may be possible in future to look at changing the type of lighting currently in place as part of a programme of improvements/upgrades at Tiree.
Kind regards
Susan
Susan Tyre, School Services Support Manager
Community Council Elections will take place on the 20th of October 2022.
Nominations will be open from Thursday the 18th of August up to 4pm on Thursday the 18th of September.
You can find the full nomination pack, along with further information, here.
Your current Community Councillors are more than happy to answer any questions you may have about the role or the process of standing for election – we are all reachable by email and can also be contacted via our Facebook page.
Tiree Community Council have received correspondence from Argyll and Bute Council, notifying us that the proposed final amendments to the scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils are now available to view online.
These proposals are subject to a four week period of review; unless material considerations are submitted during this phase of notice, the Scheme will come into effect from the 20th of October, to coincide with Community Council Elections.
You can find the Amended Scheme and related documents here.
We have received correspondence from Walter McCulloch, Administrative Officer for Dunbartonshire and Argyll & Bute Valuation Joint Board, regarding canvassing on Tiree. These roles would be working to make sure the electoral register for Tiree is up to date.
Vacanices are still available if anyone locally would like to apply – these are paid roles. You can find more information about the roles and how to apply here: Canvassing Roles Available on Tiree