Question reference: S5W-30231
- Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 24 June 2020
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Current status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 13 July 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, with regard to the Corran Narrows ferry service, what its response is to The Highland Council’s position that councillors need to decide whether to “invest and retain the service in house or transfer responsibilities to Transport Scotland based on the principles set out in the Scottish Ferries Plan.”
Answer
The Highland Council is currently wholly responsible for the Corran ferry service including plans for the investment in vessels and shoreside infrastructure.
The Scottish Ferries Plan 2013-2022 states that the Scottish Government is willing to discuss with the relevant local authority the possibility of taking over responsibility for council ferry services in accordance with a set of funding and other principles set out in that Plan. A key principle is that any transfer should be at no net financial detriment to the Scottish Government and that the Scottish Government cannot guarantee to be in a position to provide any additional funding.
The Highland Council on 1 July 2020 approved a proposal “to 'approach' Transport Scotland regarding a transfer of responsibility based on the principles set out in the Scottish Ferries Plan.” Council officials have been in touch with Transport Scotland and an initial discussion between officials is being arranged.