Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland (MACS) - Minutes of Quarterly Board Meeting - 29 April 2026

Attendees

  • Chair: Anya Kettles, MACS Convener (AK)
  • Anne MacLeod, MACS Ferries & Aviation Lead (AM)
  • Catherine Barile, MACS Member (CB)
  • Elliot Cooper, MACS Member (EC)
  • Lesley Macinnes, MACS Public & Community Transport Lead (LM)
  • Simon Watkins, MACS Vice-Convener & Rail Lead (SW)
  • Zara Todd, MACS Member (ZT)
  • Andrew Witty, MACS Member (AW)
  • Diana Winfield, MACS Member (DW)
  • Kate Samuels, MACS Member (KS)
  • Rachel Birch, MACS Member (RB)
  • Simon Whyte, MACS Member (SW)
  • MACS Head of Secretariat (MAK)
  • MACS Secretariat Policy & Support Officer (AF)

Apologies

  • MACS Sponsor (JP) MACS Member (SF)

Presenters

  • Transport Scotland Accessible Travel Team Leader (JW), Observer (MZ)

Agenda Item 1: Welcome, Apologies and Housekeeping

The Chair welcomed members and noted apologies.

Agenda Item 2: Approval of Previous Minutes

The minutes of the January 2026 meeting were approved. Actions were reviewed.

Outstanding actions

Action point 2: All workstream leads to consider deputies with their workstreams. This will be evaluated in upcoming skills audit.

Action point 3: MAK and JP to investigate file-sharing system, with a spotlight session on training once established.

Action point 8: Contact Aviation colleagues to boost engagement with MACS in this space and build contacts.

Action point 9: MAK to include emergency/resilience planning in MACS Workplan and establish contact with Transport Scotland resilience colleagues.

Action Point 11: Outstanding performance appraisals to be completed, with AK to review appraisal structure and processes.

Agenda Item 3: Updates from Leads/Convener

  • Confirmation that all correspondence had been issued to unsuccessful candidates.
  • Workstream roles have now been agreed, with members and leads satisfied with allocations.
  • Progress on the file sharing system is ongoing and proving more complex than anticipated. An update will be provided at the July board meeting.
  • In the interim, members can send information to the Secretariat for wider circulation.

Action: Continue work on establishing a file sharing system

Rail Update - SW

SW provided an update on the Railways Bill amendment. The aim is to ensure the Passenger Council (Transport Focus), supporting Great British Railways, includes at least two disabled members. While previous reporting reflected limited progress, recent developments are positive.

  • The Transport Committee has agreed to support the amendment.
  • Ruth Cadbury MP has tabled the amendment with cross-party support.

The amendment will now proceed to the Report Stage.

Ferries & Aviation Update - AM

AM noted her main update is in her written report, with additional positive news from HITRANS.

  • Funding has been secured to support delivery of a Health and Transport Action Plan for the Highlands and Islands.
  • Recruitment is underway for a programme lead.
  • Evidence gathering is ongoing, including engagement with patient groups in Uist and Barra.

Significant challenges in these communities were highlighted, but the overall position is considered encouraging.

Active Travel Update - SF

Susan confirmed no additional updates beyond the quarterly report.

  • Noted publication of Cycling by Design and inclusive town centre guidance.
  • Confirmed support for ZT in progressing workstream activity. ZT is taking over leadership of AT&I from SF.

Convener Update - AK

AK highlighted organisational updates and external issues:

  • New members are now in place.
  • Changes to MACS operations have been introduced gradually, informed by feedback.
  • Development of agile workstreams, buddy roles, and Engagement Champions is underway.

At the Four Nations meeting, concerns were raised about changes to the Motability scheme:

  • Introduction of a 10,000-mile annual cap and limits on tyre replacement.
  • Estimated financial impact of approximately £600 per year per customer.

There is ongoing disagreement between Motability and the UK Government regarding responsibility.
Engagement with Motability leadership will continue, although changes appear largely fixed.

Agenda Item 4: Agile Workstreams

Discussion to be continued.

Agenda Item 5: Appraisals/Quarterly Update

AK thanked SW for preparing the discussion paper.

SK outlined inconsistencies in the current appraisal process and proposed two options:

  1. Appraisee-led model - encourages self-reflection and distributes workload
  2. Appraiser-led model - aligns with structured assessment throughout the year

Both approaches were considered valid, and agreement is needed for future consistency.

AK raised concerns regarding the length and usability of the appraisal form.
MAK confirmed she will review flexibility within guidance and explore opportunities to streamline the process as part of the new framework. The decision to take a hybrid approach for outstanding appraisals was agreed for this year only.

Action: Review appraisal approach and potential for simplification

Agenda Item 6: Engagement Champions and Buddy System

The Engagement Champion model was supported, and buddy arrangements were confirmed.

Engagement Champions

Anya introduced the proposal to improve engagement and visibility:

  • Each workstream to nominate an Engagement Champion
  • Champions will gather content (updates, photos, blogs, etc.)
  • Secretariat will centrally manage and publish communications
  • Champions may identify relevant events, with attendance agreed within workstreams

Discussion

  • Previous models (e.g. rota system) were found to be time-consuming and often relied on one individual
  • The new approach aims to distribute responsibility more effectively
  • Members supported increased visibility but emphasised:
    • Proportionate expectations
    • Focus on key updates rather than high volume
    • Importance of clear guidance on tone and messaging
  • Risks highlighted included workload pressures and over-reliance on individuals

Further detail will be developed within the Strategic Engagement Workstream.

Agenda Item 7: Sponsor Team Update

MAK provided an update on the Transport Scotland transformation programme:

  • Not a restructure, but a reorganisation of functions
  • Creation of a centralised Sponsorship Hub
  • Clearer separation between sponsorship and secretariat roles
  • Continued support from existing contacts, including JP

No impact is anticipated on committee operations, with business continuing as usual.

A new Framework document is being finalised and will:

  • Define roles and responsibilities
  • Clarify governance arrangements
  • Establish escalation routes

The framework will be shared once finalised.

Actions

  • Continue development of the file sharing system
  • Review and agree appraisal process and potential improvements
  • Agile Workstreams: Distribute any existing workstream or subgroup meeting dates with members (Secretariat), Circulate what the Future of Transport Workstream will be working on (Anya), Depute leads will remain on same number of days as members with review (Decision), Information on fees uplift to be circulated (Secretariat)
  • Appraisals/Quarterly Updates: Look at scope available in changing the existing appraisal form and explore other NDPBs processes (Secretariat), send current appraisal form to all members (Secretariat)
  • Engagement Champions and Buddies: Share social media guidance with Committee (Secretariat)