Marine Operations: Council Ferry Service: Hitrans Grant
Argyll and Bute Council · 19 June 2025
Back to Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee — 19 June 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
Page 1
ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL ENVIRONMENT, DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE ROAD AND INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES 19 JUNE 2025 MARINE OPERATIONS: COUNCIL FERRY SERVICE: HITRANS GRANT 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 This report advises Members of £1.564m of capital funding available for allocation to suitable projects with Argyll and Bute Council and internal ferry operations. 2.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 It is recommended that the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee:- (a) Agree that funds are allocated as follows:- i. engage with suitable contractors to realise on-site accommodation at Port Askaig; ii. to engage with suitable Naval Architects to develop a ‘keel ready’ concept design for the Eilean Dhiura replacement ferry; iii. funds to engage with suitable consultants to update and progress plans for the Cuan ferry infrastructure for use by the Eilean Dhiura and Belnahua vessels; and (b) In the event that part of the grant remains, approve ringfencing the fund for continued works on this Priority Strategy. 3.0 DETAIL 3.1 In 2024 Argyll and Bute Council was contacted by HITRANS and informed that £1,564,000 grant funds had been identified to support capital investment across Argyll and Bute Council’s internal ferry operations, including the Cuan Sound and Jura services. 3.2 The funds had been held for some time in a transaction between Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) and HITRANS, however following accounting
Page 2
and auditing checks this is now available for allocation to suitable projects with Argyll and Bute Council’s internal ferry operations. 3.3 In September 2024 the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee “approved the vessel priority strategy as illustrated in table 2 at 3.4 of the submitted report” reproduced below as Table 1. Table 1 Vessel Priority Strategy 3.4 Members are asked to align and allocate funds to the previously agreed priorities as follows: 1. Engage with suitable contractors to realise on-site accommodation at Port Askaig, 2. Engage with suitable Naval Architects to develop a ‘keel ready’ concept design for the Eilean Dhiura replacement ferry, and Priority Description Benefits 1 On-site accommodation at Port Askaig. Present situation requires Officers and crew to be residents of Islay as well as suitably qualified. Along with the market supplement and the 7-day rota, this will allow the recruitment of suitably certified Officers required for resilience and new vessel minimum manning levels. 2 Funding for concept design to ‘Keel Ready’ for the new Jura vessel. To identify capacity levels; fuel type; crew size and infrastructure upgrade requirements. Also allows for a more accurate assessment / estimate of build & certification costs. 3 Jura New Build (and associated infrastructure at Feolin & Port Askaig). Fit for purpose and the future vessel to support the Jura community for the next 20 – 30 years. 4 Eilean Dhiura is re-deployed to the Cuan / Luing route (and associated slipway upgrades on the route). A marked upgrade for the island capable of refuse collection, HGV and capacity increase from c.15t to c.40t. Due to life extension on Belnahua (2024) and Eilean Dhiura (2022) service expects to make savings by utilising Belnahua as relief vessel (for Dry dock) etc. 5 Easdale work boat replacement with landing craft type vessel. TBD
Page 3
3. Engage with suitable consultants to update and progress plans for the Cuan ferry infrastructure for use by the Eilean Dhiura and Belnahua vessels. 3.5 In the event that monies remain following these aspects of the plan, it is proposed that the funds remain available for allocation towards the next steps which along with sourcing additional funding, would include infrastructure design for Port Askaig and Feolin; tender preparation for shipyards; land purchases; construction of Cuan slipways and consultant project management. 4.0 CONCLUSION 4.1 This report provides Members with detail in relation to the £1.564m of capital funding available for allocation to suitable projects with Argyll and Bute Council and internal ferry operations. 5.0 IMPLICATIONS 5.1 Policy - Agreed consensus allocation of available grant funds. 5.2 Financial - Grant funds may be described as match or other funding for other available grants e.g. Islands Programme. 5.3 Legal – None associated with this report. 5.4 HR – Possible crew contracts and pay implications. 5.5 Customer Service – Complaints about current service levels will increase as vessels age. 5.6 Risk – Insufficient subsidy and infrastructure decline. 5.7 Climate Change – Rising water levels on infrastructure, more extreme weather events. More efficient propulsion for emission control to Net Zero. 5.8 Fairer Scotland Duty – True Lifeline services, school, health and business, Islands Connectivity Plan. 5.9 Equalities – Protected Characteristics – vessel accessibility. 5.10 Consumer Duty – Lifeline ferries with no other means to travel to / from islands. 5.11 Island Communities – True Lifeline services, school, health and business, Islands Connectivity Plan. 5.12 Childre’s Rights and Wellbeing – Education and social access to mainland facilities and services. Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure: Kirsty Flanagan
Page 4
Policy Lead for Roads, Transport and Amenity Services: Councillor John Armour June 2025 For further information contact: Scott Reid, Marine Operations Manager Scott.Reid@argyll-bute.gov.uk