
Audit finds weaknesses in Dumfries and Galloway bus cash controls
The internal audit by Dumfries and Galloway Council aimed to confirm that cash income from the routes was being accounted for and banked in accordance with financial regulations.It also sought assurances that cash was being held securely and banked promptly.However, it discovered weaknesses in controls over the income and found that cash from two depots - Abercromby in Castle Douglas and Cargen Towers in Dumfries - had not been banked for several months.Among the other concerns it highlighted were:No weekly check to ensure cash was being handed inNo fares being charged on one route in Stranraer as the driver did not have a licence to do soNo written records of cash being passed from one staff member to anotherIt recommended five different action points in order to tackle the issues uncovered.They included cash being held securely and under the responsibility of a single council officer.The report said all the measures highlighted had now been put in place.
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BBC News
6 hours ago
- BBC News
CalMac pays out £460,000 to delayed ferry passengers
CalMac has paid out more than £460,000 in compensation to passengers because of delays and cancellations to its services since April last state-owned ferry operator paid £432,735 in compensation to travellers in 2024-25, with a further £33,792 paid out in May and June this marks a 37% rise on compensation payments in 2023-24, but a slight fall from 2022-23, when the operator paid £454,000 to delayed passengers, according to figures obtained by the Scottish Liberal Democrats.A Transport Scotland spokesperson said just over 5% of sailings on the network had been cancelled over the last 10 years. Lib Dem transport spokesman, Jamie Greene, accused the Scottish government of "letting the ferry network deteriorate".He pointed to reliability issues within the CalMac fleet and delays in new vessels going into service. The Glen Sannox ferry, built by Port Glasgow shipyard Ferguson Marine, was delivered years late and over sister ship, the Glen Rosa, will now not be delivered until early next year due to a series of the MV Caledonian Isles, which has not sailed since January last year, could be out of action for a further four months in order to undergo further Lib Dems have launched a consultation on the future of the country's ferry who represents the West Scotland region, said staff and passengers had been "let down" by the SNP's management of the networkHe added: "The SNP government took control of the company and broke their promise to deliver new ferries on time and on budget, which would have reduced the massive bills we are now seeing for compensation and repairs."All of this has created a grim new norm for my constituents along the west coast, from losing business to missing hospital appointments." Data obtained by the Lib Dems via freedom of information request showed more than 7,000 compensation claims had been lodged by passengers over a two-year period between April 2023 and April operator has paid out a total of £1.9m in compensation since the 2017-18 financial said it expected to welcome an additional 13 vessels to its fleet by said, when delays and cancellations did occur, staff worked to find alternative routes or sailings for passengers.A spokesperson added: "We're operating more sailings than ever before, with many of our vessels stretched to their limits."It is no secret that our fleet is ageing and that this can lead to higher levels of technical problems."This is why we are looking forward to welcoming 13 new vessels to the CalMac fleet by 2029, which will lead to less technical problems and cancellations, giving passengers a more reliable service." A Transport Scotland spokesperson said those new vessels would be able to "operate in more challenging sea and weather conditions".They added: "Between January 2015 and June 2025 CalMac have operated over 1.6 million sailings, with just 5.5% of scheduled sailings cancelled. Of those cancelled sailings, 25% were for technical reasons whilst more than double was due to the weather at 60%."In the coming year, the Scottish government intend to invest over £530m maintaining and enhancing our networks and strengthening resilience of services on the west coast and northern isles."This represents a near 23% increase on 24-25 funding levels."


BBC News
8 hours ago
- BBC News
Nelms comments on stadium delay
Managing director John Nelms describes the length of time it's taking for Dundee's new stadium to be approved as "curious". (Scotsman - subscription required), externalRead Sunday's Scottish gossip


Daily Mail
17 hours ago
- Daily Mail
SNP Government-backed ferry firm shells out almost £2million in compensation
The SNP's ferry fiasco deepened last night as it was revealed CalMac has had to pay out almost £2 million in compensation to passengers because of delays and cancellations in less than a decade. Scotland's state-owned ferry operator has handed customers at least £1.9 million to cover the cost of cancellations, alternative travel arrangements, food and accommodation since 2017, new figures show. In the last financial year alone it gave out £432,735 in compensation to travellers – with a further £33,792 paid out in recent months It comes as MailOnline told last month how an astonishing 10,809 crossings were scrapped by the operator in just over two years due to technical faults. The firm has suffered years of problems caused by its ageing fleet, which is meant to provide a lifeline to Scotland's island communities. Services have also been impacted by the almost £500 million scandal surrounding delivery of its two new ferries for the Arran service, the Glen Sannox and the Glen Rosa, which have been dogged by years of delays and spiralling costs. Scottish Lib Dem transport spokesman Jamie Greene said: 'The bill for cancellations and compensation is soaring because the SNP have let the Scottish ferry network deteriorate. 'The hardworking staff at CalMac have been let down by an SNP government that took control of the company and broke their promise to deliver new ferries on time and on budget, which would have reduced the massive bills we now see for compensation and repairs. 'All of this has created a grim new norm for my constituents along the West coast, from losing business to missing hospital appointments.' Data released to Mr Greene's party under freedom of information laws show there were 7,058 customer claims made to CalMac between April 2023 and April 2025. CalMac paid £432,735 in compensation to travellers in 2024-25, with a further £33,792 paid out in May and June this year – the first two months of 2025-26. The compensation bill for last year is up by more than 37 per cent from 2023-24, when CalMac shelled out £314,494 – but is still lower than in 2022-23 when payments amounted to £454,000. A number of vital routes are said to constantly suffer changes to routes and timetables or cancellations owing to a 'lack of vessel availability', with a key factor being the age of the 35-strong fleet Many vessels have had to operate beyond their expected lifespans, leading to increasing breakdowns. A CalMac spokeswoman said: 'We offer compensation if a journey has been disrupted or cancelled for specific reasons. 'It is no secret that our fleet is ageing and this can lead to higher levels of technical problems.' A Transport Scotland spokesman said: 'CalMac are delivering services in increasingly challenging weather and the arrival of 13 new vessels by 2029 will reduce technical issues and these modern vessels should also be able to operate in more challenging conditions.'