Arran duo on CalMac community board

Arran has two representatives on the new independent community board set up to provide an insight into the issues affecting island and rural communities for ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne.

Community council chairman Bill Calderwood and VisitArran chief executive Sheila Gilmore are the island representatives who attended the first meeting of the board last month when it was agreed how it will operate in the future.

Board chairman Angus Campbell said: ‘The first meeting was very positive with a lively discussion about the purpose of the board and a universal commitment to make sure it was as effective as possible. The board is keen that minutes will be published online once approved so the communities represented are kept fully up to date on the topics under discussion.

‘In addition, the geographical area covered by the CalMac network has been split up and ascribed to different members of the board so everywhere is represented by at least one person on the board. A map with pictures of board members is being prepared so communities know who to contact.’

Mr Campbell said the terms of reference had been formally agreed and dates for meetings in 2018, starting with the next one on January 19, have also been confirmed.

He added: ‘Everyone is keen to begin the process of sharing information about the challenges and opportunities in their own areas and we hope to start identifying areas of work priority as they come back from our communities for the January meeting.’

Brian Fulton, CalMac’s director of community and stakeholder engagement, said: ‘We are delighted that the board has reached its first milestone and look forward to working with Angus and the board on areas of mutual interest. We have always envisaged the board operating entirely separately from CalMac and now the first meeting has taken place we will continue to provide support as required and will now step back and let it stand on its own two feet.’