Ferries Community Board

The remit of the group is to collate and inform CalMac of the community view to ensure a greater involvement of communities. We’re looking for their honest opinions in order to best improve our services. The Ferries Community Board is independent of CalMac and has a few key aims:

• To give direct representation of key sectors within the communities to the CalMac Ferries Board.
• To advise on the best form(s) of engagement with the community to share and engage on aspects of the ferry services, including frequency of engagement.
• To provide a forum to seek opinions as required and reflections on ministerial strategic direction to the CalMac Board.
• To create a channel for effective and improved community engagement.

The Ferries Community Board exists to put these goals into action.

The board comprises 12-15 members from across the Clyde and Hebrides network. They meet at least 4 times a year at different locations across the network. The meetings aim to be a channel for effective and improved community engagement. CalMac representatives are not present, but they do provide secretariat services to record the minutes and outcomes. The work of the group involves solution-focused discussion and members are asked to provide constructive input that moves the agenda forward.

The Community Board is made up of everyday people who live in areas served by the CalMac network. Members have to demonstrate knowledge of the network and bring an authentic voice for local communities so we can fully understand any issues that affect them.

• Members shall in general represent network wide voices and shall communicate back to their representative communities following each board meeting.
• All members are required to attend board meetings annually.
• The group will receive all possible assistance from CalMac, including provision of specialist technical assistance and secretarial support.
• Members of community board will receive reasonable out of pocket expenses, including travel costs to attend meetings, and will be provided with ferry travel for that meeting.
• Membership will be for 3 years, with an option to extend. A member can resign at any time in writing with a notice period of one month being required.
• The final decision of any membership application or termination will sit with the Chairperson.

Below is a list of Ferries Community Board members and their locations;

If you would like to contact your local board member to raise an issue or provide feedback, please refer to the list above to find your nearest member. While all board members represent the entire network and not just their specific island or area, your local member is best equipped to assist you with any queries or concerns you may have.

Here is a list of our board achievements to date. 

• Jointly commissioned a Socio Economic report demonstrating the socio-economic value of Ferries to islanders and their lives but also to wider society and national Goverment.
• Successfully led a campaign to reduce cost of school minibus fares.
• Established and continue to campaign for under 22 travel to be on the same basis as bus fares on the mainland for under 22 age group.
• Post Neptune consultation report delivered to Parliament giving the views of islanders on how ferry services should be better provided and putting islanders needs at the heart of service design
• The Board endorsed and represented back to Government the views of the majority of the respondents that they do not support a direct award for the new contract.
• Supported lobbying for two new ships for Islay and two ships for the little Minch service.
  Gave evidence to Net Zero and Transportation committee highlighting damage caused by lack of investment and how putting communities at heart of service design can deliver a more efficient and effective service.
• Supported the campaign for islanders on island boards bringing much needed skills and experience of islanders life to improve decision making.
• Continuing to try and influence the new contract to increase accountability and have Islanders voices heard in strategic decision making and at individual route level. Islanders needs have to be the starting point for delivery of future services.
• Developed a good relationship with the Young Islanders Network.
• Regular input from Mobility Access committee Scotland.
• Support and feed in to SVRP.
• Discussions with RMT
• Ongoing dialogue with multiple Ministers.
• Day in Holyrood to lobby politicians of all parties Board meetings in multiple islands with consultation meetings with local groups and individuals.

The minutes from our latest meeting and the minutes archive can be found within the 'Ferries Community Board Meeting Minutes' section. Simply click on the appropriate date to open the PDF of that month’s meeting.

You can find the Ferries Community Board on Facebook.