Chamber and committees

The Scottish Strategic Rail Study, commissioned by the Scottish Executive in July 2001, is currently looking at the likely costs and benefits of potential improvements to passenger railway services, operating in central and north-east Scotland. This includes service improvements, such as reduced journey times and reliability.The connection between services at key rail interchanges is a timetabling issue and, as such, is an operational matter for the rail industry. Amendments to timetables, must be agreed at the national timetable discussions involving train operators and Railtrack.

The functioning and accuracy of electronic information boards at key railway interchanges in the Strathclyde area, is an operational matter for ScotRail, in conjunction with Railtrack and the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive. However, railway infrastructure projects, including the provision of new electronic information boards, may qualify for financial assistance, through the Scottish Executive's Public Transport Fund. Bids under this fund would have to satisfy eligibility criteria and compete with other bids.

Scottish Screen is working with the property managers on the site, to assess the feasibility of creating permanent build space and production offices for the film and television industry in Clydebank.

The information requested is not available in the form requested. Scottish Water will develop and introduce monitoring information systems, to provide this type of information over the next few years.

This is a matter for West of Scotland Water. The Chief Executive's reply is:(a) West of Scotland Water has set up the Community Forum to promote understanding of the project during the construction phase through the community councils, local groups and to the wider public. It was established as a result of proposals at the public meetings held on 29 and 30 August 2001. The forum comprises representatives of the local community councils and interest groups, together with Katrine Water Project personnel with the composition as follows:1 representative from Baldernock Amenity Society;1 representative from Baldernock Community Council;1 representative from Friends of Milngavie Reservoir;2 representatives from Milngavie Community Council;1 representative from Milngavie Civic Trust;1 representative from Mugdock Association, and1 representative from Strathblane Community Council.There are four representatives from Katrine Water Project involving:1 representative from West of Scotland Water (Chair);2 representatives from Stirling Water, and1 representative from West of Scotland Water Community Relations Unit (minute secretary).(b) The Community Forum meets every two months.(c) At the inaugural meeting, the Community Forum agreed the Terms of Reference as well as accepting a list of recipients for the approved minutes (refer to Appendix 1 and 2).(d) West of Scotland Water is committed to the objectives of the forum and the authority has also undertaken to address community concerns wherever possible. The Community Forum will consider how best to communicate project implementation issues to the wider public. With West of Scotland Water committed to the continual improvement of customer relations, appropriate resources will be put in place to assist the forum. West of Scotland Water and the Katrine Water Project have undertaken to take practicable steps to minimise the disruption to the local community during construction.Appendix 1KATRINE WATER PROJECTCOMMUNITY FORUMTERMS OF REFERENCEGeneral

• West of Scotland Water (WoSW) will organise a Community Forum (CF) for the Katrine Water Project (KWP).
• The CF will comprise representatives of WoSW, the KWP team and representatives from local organisations Milngavie Community Council, Milngavie Civic Trust, Baldernock Community Council, Strathblane Community Council, Baldernock Amenity Society, Mugdock Association and Friends of Milngavie Reservoir.

It is expected that all representatives will liaise with their respective organisations in a timely manner.

• Other attendees, as required, can be invited to specific meetings by agreement and at the discretion of the CF.
• The CF will run from the date of the first and inaugural meeting to twelve months after the completion of construction.
• The frequency of meetings and venue will be determined and agreed by the CF.
• WoSW will provide meeting facilities for the CF.
• WoSW will chair the CF and will provide a minutes secretary. Draft Minutes will be provided to all attendees and organisations represented within seven days of a meeting. Additional distribution of minutes will be agreed by the CF.
• WoSW will give a minimum of three weeks notice for meetings and will issue meeting documentation no less than seven days prior to a meeting.
• The agenda for meetings is : Agenda

1. Apologies for Absence
2. Minutes of previous Meeting
3. Matters Arising
4. Report from the Contractor
5. Community Feedback
6. Construction Programme
7. Community Feedback
8. Community Health & Safety
9. Construction Health & Safety
10. Agreed Actions
11. Any Other Competent Business
12. Date & Venue of next Meeting

• The minutes secretary should be notified of substitute representatives at least 24 hours before a meeting and be notified of proposed items for inclusion on the agenda no less than 14 days prior to a meeting.
• The Community Forum provides an opportunity for close co-operation between all participating organisations whilst acknowledging the independence of each organisation represented to act according to its own constitution and remit.

ObjectivesThe objectives of the Community Forum are

• to allow close co-operation between the organisations represented
• to promote open communication
• to promote an understanding of community concerns regarding construction, and to assess Contractor's compliance with Planning Approval conditions
• to promote an understanding of construction issues and requirements
• to provide information on the project programme
• to provide information on the programme of community events
• to provide an opportunity for community and project team feedback
• to provide an opportunity to help sustain Health and Safety at the project interfaces with the community and help sustain a safe local environment

Appendix 2List of Recipients for Approved Community Forum Minutes

Baldernock Amenity Society Baldernock Community Council Friends of Milngavie ReservoirMilngavie Community Council

Milngavie Civic Trust

Mugdock Residents Association

Strathblane Community Council

Katrine Water Project Team

Sylvia Jackson MSP Brian Fitspatrick MSPAnnabel Goldie MSPFiona McLeod MSPDes McNulty MSPTony Worthington MP

Cllr Stephen BaillieCllr Eric M GottsCllr Fiona RiskCllr Billy HendryCllr Keith MoodyCllr Catherine Orgon

Cllr Julia Southcott

Cllr Una Walker

Milngavie Public Library

Strathblane Public Library

Bearsden Public Library

This is a matter for West of Scotland Water. The Chief Executive's reply is:I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-22386 on 8 February 2002, and specifically to pages 2-20 to 2-21 of the Environmental Statement, which is available for inspection at the offices of East Dunbartonshire Council and West of Scotland Water.

This is a matter for West of Scotland Water. The Chief Executive's reply is:This information is contained within the planning application submission to East Dunbartonshire Council. The overall dimensions for the water treatment works are as follows:The total length along the back of the building: 210 metersThe total length along the front of the building: 243 metersThe general width at the filter block: 44 meters.

This is a matter for West of Scotland Water. The Chief Executive's reply is:These costs are not comparable, as the water supplied from each of the lochs is not treated to the same standards.

Traveline Scotland aim to extend their existing telephone service offering integrated public transport information for the whole of Scotland to include delivery through the Internet by 31 December 2002. This will make integrated information about all modes of public transport across Scotland available 24 hours per day, seven days per week and will help to encourage travellers to make greater use of public transport.

Scottish Screen is working with the property managers to market the site as a production base for film and television companies. One company is currently using it for their production offices while filming on location.