Public asked for views on ‘at risk’ ferry services
Vital ferry services run by Argyll and Bute Council could be at risk if the latest proposals on budget cuts are approved in February next year.
At its meeting last Wednesday, the council agreed to seek the views of local people on how best to bridge an estimated funding gap of £9.2 million in 2020/21.
One of several questions to be asked in the consultation on budget priorities is whether the council should increase funding for local services through the potential transfer of four council-run ferries to Transport Scotland which could release £1 million a year.
Saving on the ferry services was included on a list of more than 60 operational and policy savings options proposed – and agreed to take forward
– at last week’s meeting, the only option on outwith the council’s control as the national transport agency, which is accountable to the Scottish Government, still has to agree to the transfer.
However, the saving option was issued with the warning: ‘If this is not achieved by March 31, 2020, there will be a risk to the ongoing delivery of these services.’
The ferry services under consideration for transfer are Easdale/Seil, Lismore/Port Appin, Luing/Seil and Jura/ Islay, two of which require replacement boats within the next five years.
Councillor Gary Mulvaney, depute leader of the council, added: ‘It’s simple – the more funding the council has, the more we can do for local people. We are looking at all options for increasing funding for Argyll and Bute.
‘Transport Scotland delivers ferry services for other islands – it’s been running Western Isles’ ferries for a number of years, and has provided £20 million-plus for ferries in Orkney and Shetland.
‘We obviously need to look at Transport Scotland’s role in supporting Argyll and Bute, the area with the highest number of inhabited islands of all of Scotland’s councils.’
Kieron Green, councillor for Oban North and Lorn, said: ‘We cannot continue to run those services. We make a £1m loss on them each year and, unlike Orkney and Shetland, we are not receiving money from the government to cover that. People on these islands depend on ferries to access services and employment, and they enable people to visit the islands which is important to local economies and I recognise these are lifeline services.’
Giving his reaction to the proposals earlier this week, former MSP and Easdale resident Mike MacKenzie said: ‘I would have no problem with CalMac taking over the Easdale ferry service providing it does so directly and doesn’t subcontract the service to a private operator.
‘We have an excellent team of ferrymen and they need minimal supervision. Management could be virtually restricted to back office functions such as payroll and procurement. It is important the working conditions and remuneration of our ferrymen are safeguarded in the long term, not based on the false promises that a private operator would give.’
The consultation will be on the council website (www.argyll-bute.gov.uk), from customer service points and on 01546 604171 from October 28 until December 16.