Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland (MACS) - Board Meeting - Minutes - 24 October 2023

Attendees:

  • Linda Bamford, MACS Convener (LB)
  • Hilary Stubbs, MACS Vice Convener and Ferries & Aviation Co-Lead (HS)
  • David Hunter, MACS Planning & Strategy Co-Lead (DH)
  • Elliot Cooper, MACS Planning & Strategy Co-Lead (EC)
  • Lynn Pilkington, MACS Planning & Strategy Co-Lead (LP)
  • Simon Watkins, MACS Rail Lead (SW)
  • Susan Fulton, MACS Roads, Infrastructure & Active Travel Lead (SF)
  • Graham Dunn, MACS Bus, Taxis & Community Transport Co-Lead (GD)
  • Anne Macleod, MACS Ferries & Aviation Co-Lead (AM)
  • Naghat Ahmed, MACS Member (NA)
  • Catherine Barile, MACS Member (CB)
  • Joanne Devitt, MACS Member (JD)
  • Lynsey Shovlin, MACS Member (LS)
  • Zara Todd, MACS Member (ZT)
  • Michael Tornow, MACS Member (MT)

Officials:

  • Bethany Sharp, MACS Sponsor & Head of Stakeholder Engagement (BS)
  • David Keltie-Armstrong, Head of MACS Secretariat (DKA)
  • Mary Anne Keegan, MACS Secretariat Policy & Support Officer (MAK)
  • John White, Transport Climate Change Policy & Engagement Co-ordinator (JW)

Apologies

  • Nariese Whyte, MACS Member (NW)
  • Lesley Macinnes, MACS Bus, Taxis & Community Transport Co-Lead (LM)

Agenda Item 1: Welcome, Apologies and Housekeeping

  • The Convener welcomed everyone to the meeting. She outlined the specifics of Board meetings; the legislative requirement, that they occur quarterly, the minutes should be with the Committee within 10 working days and the action points from today’s meeting will be progressed either before or at the board meeting in January 2024.
  • The Convener then confirmed all in attendance and listed apologies. BS and MAK will deliver Spotlight Session on the NTS2 (National Transport Strategy 2) Delivery Plan and the PfG (Programme for Government). JW will be joining later to deliver a Spotlight Session Car Reduction and Road User Charging.
  • The Convener expressed thanks to Lucy Logan, who departed Transport Scotland’s Accessible Travel Team and extended the Committee’s welcome to Lisa Freeman who has joined the team as a Senior Policy Advisor.
  • The Convener informed that the upcoming meeting with the Minister for Transport has been moved to 23 November 0900-0945.

Agenda Item 2: Approval of minutes, matters arising and update on action points from previous meeting

  • The Convener recorded that the minutes of the July Board meeting have been approved.
  • The Convener recorded that all seven action points from the July Board meeting have been completed or progressed.

Agenda Item 3: Introduction to new members

  • All attendees introduced themselves to new members LP, AM and ZT.
  • A need for the Secretariat to update members biographies was identified by MT. – Action Point 1

Agenda Item 4: Spotlight Session – Transport Elements from Programme for Government (2023-2024) and preview of the next National Transport Strategy Delivery Plan

  •  BS and MAK facilitated spotlight session on Transport Elements from Programme for Government (2023-2024) and preview of the next National Transport Strategy Delivery Plan.
  • SW asked if there were any significant differences between the initial draft and final version for the 2020 publication of NTS2 and what they were. BS is aware of wording changes and greater clarity but will check with Jonny Inglis, Head of National Transport Strategy and come back. – Action Point 2
  • SF asked how many of the 6000 EV (electric vehicle) charging points will be accessible and how many would impact on existing accessible car parking bays. MT added that he would like clarity on who has priority to an Accessible EV Charging Parking Bay.
  • SF also asked who is going to be carrying out EqIAs (Equality Impact Assessments) in relation to the Active Travel Fund to ensure the projects are equitable in their delivery.
  • BS assured that she would get an update from the relevant teams on both of SF’s points. – Action Point 3
  • ZT noted an inability to use a Disabled Person’s Railcard in conjunction with Smart Ticketing. BS advised of the new NSTAB (National Smart Ticketing Advisory Board) which is being set up and will flag this to them and come back with a response. – Action Point 4
  • JD asked for an update on the A96. BS will get an update on this. – Action Point 5
  • MT raised concerns about the continued rollout of ‘floating bus stops’ despite presenting a significant risk for disabled and older people and is keen to see an EqIAs be carried out in relation to these. BS agreed to follow this up. – Action Point 6

Agenda Item 5: Question & answers from previous spotlight session

  • JD asked for the slides from the spotlight session to be sent to her. – Action Point 7
  • AM asked for clarity surrounding the Fair Fares Review, particularly concessions for carers travelling with a disabled person. BS agreed to set up a meeting with AM and the Fair Fares Review team. – Action Point 8
  • GD asked for clarity around the funding of the Bus Partnership Fund. – Secretariat to share figures. – Action Point 9

 Agenda Item 6: Spotlight Session – Car Reduction and Road User Charging

  • JW facilitated spotlight session on Car Reduction and Road User Charging.
  • JD requested the slides from the session, to be sent by the Secretariat. – Action Point 10
  • LB offered a more in-depth discussion from MACS if needed in relation to the final slide of JW’s presentation. Secretariat to follow up. – Action Point 11

Agenda Item 7: Key Messages for Twitter/X

  • EC offered to tweet/post key messages from the board meeting should anyone email him.

 Agenda Item 8: AOB

  • LB informed that the Scoping Day is on 28 November 1000-1300 and arrangements are being made to make sessions more interactive. The agenda and papers will be with members two weeks prior and the outcome of discussions will inform the MACS 2024-2025 Annual Work Plan, which will be signed off at the January 2024 Board meeting then sent up for the Minister’s for approval so they know MACS’ areas of focus for the new performance year.

Agenda Item 9: Close

  • LB closed the meeting in thanks and gratitude to DH and HS for their dedication and commitment over the last eight years. LB formally thanked them both for their service and commitment to addressing the need to make transport and travel more accessible for disabled people.

Summary of Action Points:

  1. Secretariat to update members biographies – Complete.
  2. BS to check with Jonny Inglis, Head of National Transport Strategy if there were any significant differences between the initial draft and final version for the 2020 publication of NTS2 and what they were – Complete.
  3. BS to get an update from the relevant teams on both of SF’s points in relation to EV (electric vehicle) charging points and who is going to be carrying out EqIAs (Equality Impact Assessments) in relation to the Active Travel Fund – Progressed.
  4. BS to flag inability to use a Disabled Person’s Railcard in conjunction with Smart Ticketing as noted by ZT to the NSTAB (National Smart Ticketing Advisory Board) and come back with a response – Complete.
  5. BS to get update on the dualling of the A96 – Complete.
  6. BS to follow up on concerns raised about the continued rollout of ‘floating bus stops and the appetite to see an EqIA be carried out in relation to these with the relevant team – Progressed.
  7. Secretariat to send slides from first spotlight session to JD – Complete.
  8. BS set up a meeting with AM and the Fair Fares Review team – Progressed.
  9. Secretariat to share figures in relation to the Bus Partnership Fund – Complete.
  10. Secretariat to send slides from second spotlight session to JD – Complete.
  11. Secretariat to follow up on LB’s offer of a more in-depth discussion from MACS with JW – Complete.