The Cross Solent Services Scrutiny Task and Finish Group have prepared a report to present the Scrutiny Committee next week (and then Full council) with their recommendations.
Following public meetings with stakeholders, as well as the heads of the cross-Solent operators, members of the Task and Finish Group will present the following recommendations for approval.
Recommendations
- It is recognised that services can only be operated on a cost effectiveness basis and this involves the need to attract additional traffic on routes with the prime stimulus being through economic growth particularly in tourism.
- Smaller businesses should be encouraged to work together, or through the Chamber of Commerce or Federation of Small Businesses, if they wish to negotiate reduced fares with operators.
- The work being undertaken by all the operators to engage with users are very welcome and this needs to be built on and made a regular and continued feature of marketing activities and service provision.
- The role of the Quality Transport Partnership should be reviewed to ascertain how this can be used more strategically to discuss key issues between transport operators and users.
- Operators should be encouraged to maintain regular contact with the council through specifically nominated members and officers to ensure an effective and efficient co-ordinated structured approach to dealing with the continued development of ferry services.
- The relevant Executive members with responsibility for planning and economic development, together with the relevant heads of service should consider the establishment of a mechanism so that the council can better assist developers coming forward with suitable applications for tourism related proposals particularly those offering quality accommodation and all the year round attraction.
- The Leader of the Council should raise with the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership whether it can assist in creating a better understanding with the local harbour and port authorities on the implications that charges for use of facilities can have on ferry operators which can have social and economic implications for Island residents and businesses.
- The implications of the Competition Act on cross Solent operator’s ability to introduce a common fare structure for specific groups such as students and those attending mainland medical appointments should be highlighted through the media.
Full details behind the recommendations and evidence submitted by the ferry companies can be found in the embedded documents below.
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Paper B
Appendix 1
