Minutes of meeting held 10.30am on Friday 22nd February in the Constituency Office

Attendance: Cathy Peattie, Julie Reid, Colin Hemfrey, Walter Inglis, Kevin Collins, Dave Smith, Ian Mitchell, Geoff Gregory

Apologies: Alan Burns, Finlay Brown, Allyson Black, Alistair McNeill, Ray Mountford, Alan Anderson,

Minutes of previous meeting: read and approved.

Kevin Collins outlined the report, and noted that the STAG appraisal was being commissioned following modelling work. there would be a consultation in 3/4 months, possibly with a series of meetings with different groups. Ian Mitchell offered to liaise with local hauliers regarding their involvement.

Walter Inglis supported a continued broadbased approach, so that divergent interests could be reconciled through a roundtable approach, as had been done at the first meeting. The key was to ensure that everyone understood the process and had the opportunity to express their views.

Colin Hemphrey explained the background to the work with regard to Transport Scotland and the Falkirk Council Structure Plan, and raising the issues with the Scottish Executive/Government. The 9 national developments with the National Planning Framework included the Grangemouth Freight Hub, and the hope was that this would encompass not just junction 6, but also rail electrification and the A801 upgrade, etc. Forth Ports plans to reconfigure the port were tied in with the separation of traffic. On flood prevention measures, it was noted that the measures already underway in Bo'ness were simpler than the Grangemouth situation involving three burns.

The timescale of developments was discussed, noting that projects for 2009-12 were already well advanced with regard to recruitment, etc, but that there was some scope for change. It was noted that Forth Ports developments within the port were necessarily dependent upon developments outside their gates, and that this had been emphasised to Transport Scotland.

It was noted that the Minister would be appearing before the Transport, infrastructure and Climate Change committee, where Cathy Peattie was Deputy Convener. The political context of the NPF was discussed.

Geoff Gregory outlined the role that Scottish Enterprise could play with regard improvements releasing economic potential.

There was discussion of the transport issues not covered by NPF, and how the hub and the expansion of employment opportunities could also be a lever for better public transport.

It was agreed that the next meeting would be of the full forum, to take place on a Friday morning when plans were sufficinetly advanced for a presentation.