Comment posted Was this a fair tender process? Government cuts Orkney ferry frequencies within days of Serco contract award by newsroom.
We gave the information direct from the government tender document – which is hardly unresearched.
If you have other documentary evidence to the contrary, why not give links to it so that readers may see it for themselves, rather than make what at the moment are unsupported declarations?
newsroom also commented
- Many thanks. This is very helpful.
Recent comments by newsroom
- Radically new council group changes all the dynamics: party politics dead in Argyll
An interesting and pertinent contribution.
However, one has to hope that, should an administration emerge today led by this new group, there is no political pressure placed on Audit Scotland to accelerate any possible intervention until such a new group has had a modest but fair amount of time to show what it can or cannot do.
It contains a healthy percentage of councillors from its founding member groups who are experienced in local government – so cannot reasonably be expected to be incapable. It deserves its chance – and particularly in the light of the chaos of the last year. - Radically new council group changes all the dynamics: party politics dead in Argyll
You forget that the SNP was given and possessed the leadership of an administration; became its own internal opposition – and a highly destructive one; and then sabotaged itself – all with the energetic promotion and assistance of the party hierarchy.
We have been saying all along that, as well as the lack of integrity, there was a shocking lack of political intelligence in the intervention in the local party that has brought this situation about.
And the situation is that it actually doesn’t matter very much now what the SNP does.
It has taken itself from the lead in a new administration in whom many of us non-tribalists had invested a great deal of hope – to creating the most shambolic ever year in local government – all by itself, damaged by itself alone; and now to producing a situation where it is an irrelevance.
This has unarguably been THE most stupid, irresponsible, self-mutilating – and unnecessary – episode in modern politics at any level. - Radically new council group changes all the dynamics: party politics dead in Argyll
The SNP have made themselves – entirely avoidably – a toxic brand. Such a partnership would therefore inherit damage and would have its contradictions. - Radically new council group changes all the dynamics: party politics dead in Argyll
You’re quite rignt and sub-headings are now in place.
We were working to get this out quickly last night.
Frankly we had not believed it to be possible when we were passed the facsimile of the email.
Hence we had had it for hours and were in no hurry – before our veracity checks returned a surprise confirmation.
This move is likely to prove much more of everyone’s type of politics. - Peace Pilgrimage going through Crinan Canal now, en route for Faslane
Done. Thank you for the prompt.
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Well I wait with baited breath to see how The Doc, DMH, Morag, Anne and the rest of the usual suspects put a positive spin on this, the latest bit of chicanery by the SNP!
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once again the snp cannot be trusted , they,ll tell you anything to get your vote
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@ Newsroom: You will find up-to-date transport statistics on the Transport Scotland website. To save you from having to search for it yourselves, here’s the link to the 2011 figures.
http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/strategy-and-research/publications-and-consultations/j205779-00.htm
Given traffic levels on the Pentland Firth service mid-winter — the midday crossing usually only carries a handful of vehicles, often in single figures — I am left wondering if any other bidder saw savings to be made by omitting it when really it’s not needed. Yes, I know it’s supposedly a ‘Lifeline Service’, but be realistic about this — there are still two other NorthLink sailings and also Banksie’s catamaran running three times a day too. Did Northlink themselves (or anyone else) bid to run three runs every day? Without knowing that, criticising Serco is a bit harsh in this instance.
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Many thanks. This is very helpful.
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“When the change of service provider was announced following the tendering process, Orkney and Shetland were assured that they would see improvements to the services. Is this it?”
I am sure Transport Scotland will find some way to claim its a better service. The claim does not need to have any basis in reality. Look at the improved service we got in Dunoon with bigger boats!
Does the Orkney service include relief vessels or has that been “improved” so that sailings get cut in half anytime a vessels breaks down or needs serviced – as in Dunoon.
It is a good point about the contract being changed immediately after companies bid, though presumably even Transport Scotland were not stupid enough to leave themselves exposed.
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The forArgyll article stated “The issue with which we are concerned is whether this substantial change of required service provision, coming to son after the award of contract, invalidates the tender”
But, as I now understand it, the tender specification essentially invited bidders to reduce from 3 to 2 return crossings per weekday for the non-peak period. The non-peak period was not specified and had to be defined by the bidder.
So most of this article was un-researched forargyll speculation about an article read somewhere else and then regurgitated as news and information.
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We gave the information direct from the government tender document – which is hardly unresearched.
If you have other documentary evidence to the contrary, why not give links to it so that readers may see it for themselves, rather than make what at the moment are unsupported declarations?
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Having watched Question Time the other night, I was astounded at the paucity of comment in favour of the union. Even Forsyth made an idiot of himself.
It does appear, yet again, our very own SNP are leading the charge for a ‘NO’ vote in 2014. Their defense probably will be something to do with Green issues or European rules…
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