Scottish Government

2. Purpose

2.1 The first phase in the process is to carry out a public consultation exercise to gather the views of individuals, organisations, businesses and operators on the future configuration and structure of the Northern Isles ferry services. The views expressed will assist the Scottish Government in forming future policy and in putting together the specification of requirement that will form an integral part of the invitation to tender for the services.

2.2 In preparing this consultation document, the Scottish Government had informal discussions with representatives from the following organisations:

• Aberdeen City Council
• Aberdeen Harbour Board
• Aberdeenshire Council
• HiTrans
• Lerwick Port Authority
• Nestrans
• NorthLink Ferries Ltd
• Orkney Islands Council
• Scrabster Harbour Trust
• Shetland Islands Council
• Streamline Shipping Group
• ZetTrans

2.3 This public consultation is being run in parallel with the wider Scottish Ferries Review public consultation, which is considering the future of ferry services across the whole of Scotland over a longer timeframe. The Northern Isles consultation is specifically about services to Orkney and Shetland from 6 July 2012. We are therefore particularly interested in your views and opinions on how you think the ferry services to and from Orkney and Shetland to the Scottish mainland can be more effectively delivered under a new set of arrangements from 6 July 2012.

2.4 While the Scottish Government continues to invest record amounts of its budget in supporting ferry services, it is clear we are entering a period of public spending constraint. It is well reported that the UK and Scottish Governments will need to reduce public spending across a range of areas over the next few years to help reduce the UK's budget deficit. While all suggestions and comments are welcome, contributors should be mindful that the Scottish Government will set its priorities and investment decisions based on what is affordable from within the budget allocations.

2.5 Contributors should also be mindful that the Scottish Government can only implement solutions that comply with all applicable legislation.

2.6 It should be noted that the options set out in this document are not Scottish Government policy, but are intended to explore and consider other more innovative and effective ways of delivering the ferry services to the Northern Isles. Neither are the options limited to the options set out in this document. We would therefore welcome all suggestions for improving the services.

2.7 The consultation document and this questionnaire can also be downloaded from the Scottish Government website at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Consultations/Current

2.8 You can respond to this consultation by completing the Questionnaire attached at Appendix 1. The questionnaire can then be e-mailed to nifconsultation@scotland.gsi.gov.uk Alternatively you can post a hard copy to the following address:

2.9 If you require more information or have any questions about this consultation or the questionnaire, then please telephone 0131-244-1539.

2.10 Please note that the deadline for responses is Thursday 30 September 2010.