Transport and the Environment Committee, 07 Mar 2001

Meeting date: Wednesday, March 7, 2001

Official Report 110KB pdf

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Trunk Roads Inquiry

The next item of business is our inquiry into the management and maintenance of trunk roads in Scotland. Members will recall that we agreed to appoint reporters on the issue to undertake preparatory work for our inquiry. I was appointed as reporter, along with Bristow Muldoon, Bruce Crawford and Murray Tosh. The four of us have met and have agreed the proposals that are set out in the paper that has been circulated to members. We must agree on a number of issues today, but in the first instance, a general discussion may be useful.

As one of the members who were responsible for drawing up the proposals, I think that they are very wise. They set up a good framework for the committee to develop a full analysis of the issues surrounding trunk roads, and the tendering and valuation processes that are associated with them. The proposals mention all the appropriate people who should give evidence to improve our understanding of the way in which the process works from the perspective of the Executive, the bidders and the wider community.

The proposed work plan also gives us the opportunity to consider any of the findings from the Auditor General for Scotland's report, which I understand will be ready in mid-June. Provided that the Auditor General's report is concluded in the time scale that is envisaged, we will have the opportunity to consider his analysis of the value-for-money aspects of the process. That analysis will certainly be robust and I hope that the committee will endorse the proposed timetable.

I ask members to agree to the terms of reference that are outlined in the report. They are fairly exhaustive and go back to square one, so to speak, covering provision of the current service right through to the position that we find ourselves in now. Is that agreed?

Members indicated agreement.

Do members agree to annexe A of the report, which contains proposals for approaching the matter and for the sessions that we shall hold?

Members indicated agreement.

Members are asked to submit to the clerks by Wednesday 14 March proposals for specific witnesses who are to be invited to give evidence, so that we can discuss them at our meeting on 21 March.

I want to discuss further the appointment of an adviser. It will be fairly difficult to find an independent adviser on this matter. If we agree to try to find one, we must seek someone who is outwith the process and, because it is such a specialised field, that might be quite difficult. Is there general agreement among members that we should seek an adviser on this fairly technical matter?

Members indicated agreement.

I am open to suggestions as to who the adviser may be. As I said, it may be a difficult task to find someone to take on that role who we can be fully assured is independent of the process. I look forward to receiving suggestions from members in the near future.

Do members agree to note that the Auditor General for Scotland and Audit Scotland are conducting a study and that there will be a continuing role for the reporters in relation to the inquiry? Do members also agree that a further paper on the arrangements for that inquiry should be submitted on 21 March?

Members indicated agreement.