Consultations for SBC - Freedom of information requests
Title or Description
Consultations for SBC
FOI Number
2024106
Date Received
19/01/2024
Type of Request
FOI
Request or Question
The Jacobs Consultancy have twice assisted with consultations for SBC. The first several years ago was concerned with the Great Tapestry and I would like to know how much the consultancy was paid, among other things it came out with predicted visitor figures and could you tell me what they were or instead send me a copy via pdf if possible of the findings of that consultation. .
The second was the just published Bus Travel Consultation that ended 31st January last year, it is due to be presented at the Full SBC Meeting next Thursday. I would like to know the fee paid to the Jacobs consultancy and can I get a copy of the findings via pdf if possible. .
I would also like to know if an external consultancy is employed with the current online only SBC Budget Consultation that ends on 31st Jan.
If there is such, can you tell me what fee they are charging and name of the consultancy. .
Also was there a consultancy involved in the same SBC Budget Consultation ending 31st Jan. last year and again which consultancy was involved.
Response
Jacobs were not involved in the Tapestry Project. There was a Borders company commissioned to undertake the surveys and market analysis to determine the likely future visitor numbers that the attraction could expect in a pre-covid scenario. Attached is the PDF output of the prediction.
Jacobs were commissioned by the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal to undertake a Bus Network Review in the Scottish Borders, utilising stakeholder engagement and other data sources to identify the regions travel demand and review it against the existing network provision to identify opportunities to serve the travel demand of the region (within the limits of existing and future budgets). The whole commission cost £94,406 and was funded by the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal. The outputs of that commission and the report that went to Scottish Borders Council for consideration and decision making is at the attached link (item 7), and the Jacobs report is attached if you find it difficult to access the Council website. Agenda for Scottish Borders Council on Thursday, 25th January, 2024, 10.00 am - Scottish Borders Council (moderngov.co.uk)
In relation to the last two surveys identified, there was no consultant involvement in these.
Some of the attached information has been redacted as this is third party personal information and is exempt from disclosure under S38(1)(b) of FOI(S)A 2002.
