Committee Meeting, 31st May 2010, Inverness

Present: John Brandon, Roger Piercy, Angus Stewart, David Start, Richard Ardern, Bob Barnes-Watts, Iain MacDonald, Gavin Sinclair, John Melling.

(1) Apologies
none.

(2) Minutes from last Committee Meeting
approved.

(3) Matters arising from last meeting
Bill Reeve from Transport Scotland was unavailable for the AGM in May. Jonathan Puge from Transport Scotland accepted our invitation to be our speaker. The Convener is still in contact with TS concerning the formation of the 1752 from Inverness and stopping of trains at Dunrobin Castle.

(4) Membership Secretary update
174 members and 7 Community Councils.

(5) Treasurer update

(6) 2011 AGM
After discussion, Wick was chosen as the location for the next AGM. Dates in June were suggested assuming our speaker is available. Potential speakers include Kenny Scott, David Simpson and Andy Trotter. Saturday 18 June is the preferred date.

(7) Newsletters
the May newsletter was our 50th and the committee thanked RP for his efforts on producing our excellent newsletters.

(8) Attendance at other Groups meetings
BBW attending the HITRANS Rail user Group meeting. Both BBW and RA attended the Scottish Association for Public Transport meeting in Edinburgh where Bill Reeve was the speaker.

(9) Timetable Issues
the Convener briefed the committee on a number of timetable issues that had been worked up with the Secretary and two former Directors - John Ellis and Gordon Pettitt. These timetables are for different scenarios of line speed improvements, reduced journey times, hourly intervals, standard hour patterns and additional trains on the Far North Line. The Convener has had meetings with Network Rail Route Director David Simpson.

(10) Publicity
there was a discussion on publicity linked to our newsletter. Passenger surveys, advertising at stations, questionnaires to members were all means of where we could potentially recruit new members and advertise our work.

(11) Any Other Business
AS suggested that we send reminders to members with the January newsletter for subscription renewals.

(12) Next Committee Meeting
Edinburgh 24 July. GS to make arrangements but will not be in attendance. Gordon Pettitt will be invited to attend the committee metting to brief us on his strategy for future development of the line.