Franchise Performance Minutes - 28 May 2009

1.   STANDING ITEMS AND FRANCHISE PROGRESS 
Minutes of previous meeting accepted.

1.1  Actions from previous Meeting 
Wemyss Bay -  DA to arrange a meeting with Alan Scott and communicate progress to Bute Ferry Users Group.    Action Point: DA

Highland mainline strengthening –It was agreed  JF would look at passenger numbers with regard to demand for Saturdays and whether strengthening would be required.     Action Point: JF

It was also noted that calling patterns, capacity and any other constraints would need to be looked at.

HB made the point about remaining responsive to situations which required strengthening and de-strengthening.

HB also asked for passenger counts to be conducted for the recently opened station at Laurencekirk.

1.2  Progress on Actions from Quarterly Action Plan Report 
HB reviewed status and updated on progress.

It was agreed HB and JM would go through the actions log over the phone.         Action Point: HB/JM

1.3  Variations, Changes and Priced Options
Kilmarnock – call off discussed.  Noted that re Kilmarnock – additional spot bids ScotRail has clarity on what is being bid for. It was also noted that the Rules of the Route issue was resolved and the main issue remaining to be tackled is sectional running times.  Action Point: JF 

Project plan of variations: IJ advised he has briefed ScotRail on variations up  to 2014 and the action is with ScotRail to respond. Agreed JM will liaise with DA.                                                                              Action Point: JM 
 

IJ also noted that GARL was not on the list for year 5 of the Franchise and the table would need to be updated.    Action Point: FSR

IJ noted there were further call offs under the franchise extension agreement and the rest of the Priced Options will be called off in due course. It was noted that the next RPG is on 30 June.

1.4  Committed Obligations Delivery  
Capex approvals from First Group: IJ noted that he had had an email from Alan Scott outlining the changes to the approval process. It was noted IJ is  looking to know in advance if there will be any problems meeting Capex approvals.
 
Haymarket lifts: JM advised that the asset protection agreement is in place for the lifts and site investigation work is to take place. With regard to planning consent, JM advised that ScotRail were 2 weeks away from discussions with Edinburgh District Council who, in turn, will raise with Historic Scotland. It was agreed JM would keep TS updated.   Action Point: JM

2.    COMMERCIAL & PASSENGER ISSUES

2.1  Service Level Commitment Delivery
Track Access Agreement: MP advised that ScotRail are awaiting the final draft from Network Rail but added that there were no issues of principle. HB  advised that TS would come back to ScotRail following today’s meeting with Bill Reeve.

Timetable conference: It was noted that TS has not had any feedback yet. It  was agreed that JF would set up a meeting in the next couple of weeks but  added that there was nothing new from ScotRail’s point of view. It was agreed that any issues for RTPs would be raised in advance with TS for awareness.            Action Point: JF

Stakeholders/processes/interactions: It was noted that IJ had asked ScotRail to produce a one page document on compliant protocols on stakeholder/processes/interactions. JF noted that it would be useful to discuss this with the appropriate people. It was agreed that JF would set up a meeting.      Action Point: JF

Aberdeen/Inverurie: JF advised that there had been progress with developing the Aberdeen commuter proposal for December 2009. HB outlined dates for submission to next Rail Policy Group which would mean TS would need proposals w/c 15 June for a submission to drafted by Thursday 18 June.  Otherwise it would be the Rail Policy Group in July. JF noted.

Re requests to consider potential for Shotts new Sunday service: It was noted  that JF will arrange a meeting with Alastair Matheson to look at passenger demand, costs and possible delivery dates etc.  Action Point: JF

Any issues arising from December 2009 timetable bid/offer: JF noted that progress with Network Rail was encouraging. There were a number of issues but they are ahead in the process. It was agreed that ScotRail would share with TS when this is more developed which will be before the next meeting.  Action Point: JF

MP expressed concern over the Airdrie blockade and noted that a tri-partite meeting had been called for TS, ScotRail and ORR.

IJ noted that the latest draft timetable for Airdrie – Bathgate required more work to ensure a robust PPM.  It was intimated that action is being undertaken to improve the performance of this timetable.

HB noted that an evidence base was required for Lockerbie.  JF suggested that this be added to the Service Development Group agenda.

2.2  Customer Service and Standards
Discussed availability of existing ticket vending machines

2.3  Public Relations
Franchise Performance minutes: It was noted that the minutes of this meeting would be published on Transport Scotland’s website.     

SQUIRE Quarterly Reporting: It was noted that the next annual SQUIRE  press release would be on 24 July 2009. It was also noted that DS, JM, Iain  Wilson and Transport Scotland’s press office would liaise re release dates for the coming year.    Action Point: TS/FSR

It was agreed HB would check and confirm the dates for the next set of NPS results.     Action Point: HB

3.    PERFORMANCE
 
3.1  Train Service Deliver performance
Discussed at separate meeting.
      
3.2  Financial Performance
Discussed at separate meeting.

4.    HUMAN RESOURCES & INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ISSUES

4.1  HR issues/Progress
Quarterly compliance audit: Noted that this has taken place.

Exchange of Safety Auditors: MP noted that First Group were engaging in an exchange of Safety Auditors between First franchises.  Action Point: MP

5.  AOB 
No further discussion.

Date of Next Meeting
25 June 2009

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