Forth Bridges Cruise Project

Forth Bridges Cruise Project

Note of Strategic Meeting 9th May 2017

Rosyth Terminal

1 In Attendance

Cllr Helen Law (Fife), Peter Wilson, Don Alexander, John Gibson, Hillary Bett, Rob Mason,

2 Apologies

Stuart Wallace, Sunil Varu, Alasdair Smart, John Donnelly, Joe McGuinness, Stewart Ness, Pete Reid, Gillian McCracken, Tracey Martin.

3 Representation

Peter reported that he had received a note from John Silcock (representing Fife Chamber of Commerce) indicating that he was withdrawing from the group. Peter also reported that he had had little response from the Linlithgow BID (funders in 2016). The Group asked that efforts be made to ensure continuing engagement with both of these bodies, being important to the overall partnership effort. (Action PW)

4 Note of previous meeting

The note of the meeting of 21st March, had been circulated and was accepted as an accurate record.

5 Project Report

(a) Forth Ports

Rob reported that the growth in Forth (and Tay) calls was exceeding the Scottish average.

In particular he described the increase in percentage of turnaround calls (passengers boarding/disembarking ) and the potential this had for wider business benefit. Meetings were planned with the Olsen Group who were bringing double the capacity to Rosyth in 2018.

(b) CruiseForth

Peter reported that the season has started with four ships having already visited – three at Leith and one at Rosyth. Leith has seen one embark only, and the visits of the Midnatsol and the Seabourn Quest.

A hospitality was asked for by Seabourn and invoiced. Local arrangements worked well. Forth Ports has improved some of the internal facilities at Leith. City of Edinburgh Council, working with Leith Chamber of Commerce have committed to street signage, planters etc etc to improve the environment.

Rosyth welcomed the Marco Polo (7th May) – a very busy Sunday with some businesses opening early to accommodate passengers. Around 200 of the 750 passengers visited Dunfermline (160 by using the courtesy buses and 40 overflowed into taxis). £146 in passenger donations.

A familiarisation visit (on 10th May) for 8 crew from the Caribbean Princess (SQ) on her first of 12 calls this year, has been arranged in conjunction with Queensferry Ambition and local businesses.

Pupils from Woodmill High School, Dunfermline, have expressed interest in supporting the volunteers at Rosyth and SQ.

College Students in Dundee who are assisting Forth Ports with arrivals (14) there, have been given a short insight into the CruiseForth volunteering experience.

A meeting has been held with Fiona Hutchison of Interface, about possible academic engagement with the Project. Peter was invited to keep the dialogue going.

(Interface - the knowledge connection for business is a programme hosted by Edinburgh Research and Innovation Ltd (ERI) a wholly-owned subsidiary company of the University of Edinburgh, responsible for industrial engagement etc).

CruiseForth participated in Cruise Scotland meeting with Visit Scotland to increase joint working. A number of actions are to be pursued, including attracting cruise line executives, through to information promotion using Visit Scotland portals/knowledge sets.

6 Project Crystallise

There has been no meeting of the Project Group since the last on 24th February. Peter summarised the developments since the last meeting.

(a) Collaboration agreement signed by all parties

(b) Funding as part of the £10000 starting to be received. Individual follow up to discuss timing with remaining partners

(d) Strand development –

· Strand 1 – Cruise line engagement – Working with Queensferry Ambition and Princess Cruise Lines re FAM visit for key crew on the first of 12 arrivals by the Caribbean Princess. Details of new visitor offers were now being sent to network of contacts on a regular basis.

· Strand 2 – Business engagement – 12 businesses invoiced so far for website promotion @£50 per annum. An increasing number of cruise friendly leaflets are now being distributed, having been prepared by local businesses, national agencies etc. Additional business seminars deferred to autumn.

· Strand 3 – Transport Workshop held, wider industry engagement to follow. Discussions ongoing with Alasdair Smart re timing and format.

· Strand 4 – Digital – awaiting completion of project manager phase.

Peter reported that he intended to commence the project manager recruitment process in the next week or so.

7 Forth Project Tourist Group

Don Alexander updated the meeting on additional recruitment, the further World Host training event, additional visits to engaged destinations, and the completion of pre-season briefings.

8 South Queensferry

While neither Queensferry Ambition or Edinburgh Council were represented, Peter advised that Paul Griffiths, the PFSO for Queensferry had been in contact with Economic Development of CEC about involvement in improving the welcome arrangements at the Hawes Pier. (Note Sunil Varu has recently written to the Council about blockages to the Ladies Toilet and the closure of the SQ Museum on cruise days.

9 Finance

While a full report was not to hand, Peter tabled a print of the current financial position from bank statements. £14000 was held on balance in the account at the date of the meeting which reflected core cost payments by Fife Council (Dunfermline), Leith Chamber of Commerce, Scotrail and an initial payment by Queensferry Ambition. Fife Council had also paid their contribution (£1K) to Project Crystallise. Six payments (total £300) had been paid by website advertisers.

Expenditure had included £573 on new or replacement uniforms for the volunteers.

No payments have yet been made for Seatrade Global and Project Expenditure. The majority of these claims will be recoverable from the SETDDF grant.

10 Consideration of Company Status - This was continued.

11 Forth Bridge Model

Peter reported that maintenance of the model had recently been completed, with the addition of a a new time switch. A trial ‘branding’ of the train sets had been agreed with the Old Course Hotel, St Andrews. where the Bridge would be displayed in the early summer.

12 Date of Future Meetings – set for 18th July at 10am at Rosyth

and 11th September at 10am at Rosyth