foi request

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Message

Ogg H (Helen)

From: Minister for Transport

Sent: 25 March 2004 07:47

To: Correspondence Unit

Subject: FW: East Coast rail franchise, in confidence

~--orlginal Message----From: Robin Etherington [mailto:[email protected]]Sent: 24 March 2004 18:25To: [email protected]: East Coast rail franchise, In confidence

Page 1 ofl

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

This email has been received from an external party andhas been swept for the presence of computer viruses .

Angela

Thank you for returning my call today.

I can confirm that we have taken the first step towards bidding for the East Coast rail franchise by seeking topre-qualify. We hope to learn by May 21 that the Strategic Rail Authority will invite us to tender.

Meanwhile, we are putting together a document outlining our initial thoughts, and would like to share it withyou. It would also be helpful to know as soon as possible about your views, hopes and aspirations for theservice.

If you feel a meeting would be helpful, I would be pleased to make the arrangements, and suggest that anyget-together be held as soon after Easter as diary commitments allow.

If a meeting is not possible, but you feel I could be of further help, please get in touch.

Robin Etheringtoncommunications manager, FirstGroup rail division01675443812

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25/03/2004
mailto:[mailto:[email protected]]mailto:[email protected]://www.gsi.gov.uk/main/noticeslinformationlgsi-003-2002.pdfhttp://www.gsi.gov.uk/main/noticeslinformationlgsi-003-2002.pdfmailto:[email protected]:[mailto:[email protected]]


2/18

SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE

Minister for TransportNlc.ol Stephen MSP

Mr Robin EtheringtonFirstGroup rail division3rd Floor, EBlock MacMillan HousePaddington StationLONDON

W21FG

Victoria Quay

Edinburgh EH66QQ

Telephone: 0131-556 8400

[email protected]://www.scotiand.gov.uk

Our ref: 2004/00088 t 2

Z J OApril 2004

~U)J N Il~~~ri1)~Thank you for your email of 24 March to Nicol Stephen, Minister for Transport, setting out thecompany's plans in relation to the East Coast Rail Franchise.

The Minister appreciates your offer of a meeting to discuss First Group's views on the service.However, as you know, the ScotRail franchise re-Ietting process is at a critical stage,with a preferredbidder expected to be announced later in the spring. In that context, with the assessment of bids welladvanced, the Minister feels that this would be a difficult time to hold such a meetingwith any of ourthree bidders. Therefore, the Minister will have to decline your invitation on this occasion.

If you think it would be helpful, officials from the Railway Policy and OperationsBranch would behappy to meet with you and would also be interested in the documents the company is preparingoutlining your initial thoughts on the service. The contact there is David Binnie, BranchHead, 0131244 0479 and he is aware that your office is likely to make contact.

Y o vro ()i1'Ce\e \ y

TOM McMAHONPrivate Secretary
mailto:[email protected]://www.scotiand.gov.uk/http://www.scotiand.gov.uk/mailto:[email protected]


3/18

SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE

Minister for Tra.nsportNicol Stephen MSP

Victoria QuayEdinburgh EH6 6QQ

Mr Moir LockheadFirstGroup pic395 King StreetAberdeenAB24 5RP

Telephone: 0845 [email protected]://www .scotland.gov .uk

Our ref: 2004/0028197

October 2004

Thank you for your letter of 22 September inviting Nicol Stephen, Minister for Transport, to attend abriefing reception on Wednesday, 6 October at the Scottish Parliament. I also note that invitationswere issued to other Scottish Ministers, whom I am responding on behalf of.

Unfortunately, neither Mr Stephen nor his Ministerial colleagues are able to attend. However, hehopes the reception will be a successful event.

TOM MCMAHONPrivate Secretary

()'"

V2STOR IN PEOPLI!.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


4/18

F irs t ,.transforming travel

22 September 2004

Nicol Stephen MSPMinister for TransportSt Andrew's HouseRegent RoadEdinburghEH13DG

Dear Mr Stephen

395 King Street

Aberdeen AB24 5RPTel: +44 (0) 1224 650100Fax:+44 (0) 1224 650140

As you will be aware, First has been awarded the ScotRaii franchise that will

operate for the next seven years, with the option of a three-year extension. Wehave now signed our contract to operate the franchise, detailing our servicecommitments and enhancements for Scotland's national railway. We begin ._,_.operating the ScotRail franchise from Sunday 17 October. _rp ;QA14:1,:

'L A'.;3t.;I would like to invite you to a briefing reception that we are holding inCommittee Room 5 of the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 6 October from5pm until 7pm. This reception is intended as an opportunity for us to brief youon the detail of the new franchise in advance of us taking over operationalcontrol and for you to meet with our senior First ScotRaii personnel.

We are now the largest public transport operator in both Scotland and theUnited Kingdom. As such, we also hope that this event will facilitate a widerdiscussion on the future of public transport in Scotland and how we can worktogether with all transport stakeholders to transform travel.

Our sponsor for this event is Richard Baker MSP. I very much hope you will beable to join us. Please reply to Heather Fraser in our ScotRaii mobilisationteam on 0141 271 5024 or by email [email protected]. Wewould be grateful if you could also inform us of any additional requirements youmay have.

Yours sincerely

Moir LockheadChief Executive

~member

FirstGroULJpi,;

Rogistered in Scotland number 1b /176395 King Strnat, Aoerdeen AB24 5RP
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected].


5/18

N l C O L S T E P H E N 'S

~ l: O c r 2 D 0 4

P R IV A T E O F F IC E

InterCity East Coast rail franchise

Ref: ICEC/RE/10/04

8 th October 2004

Mr Nicol StephenMSPThe Scottish ParliamentEdinburghEH99 1SP

Dear Mr Stephen

"'C O l S T fP H E N N S P

1 2ocr2 0 0 4A B E R D E E N

First ,.transforming travel

TallTrees11 Station RoadHampton-in-ArdenSolihull B92 OBJ

Tel: +44 (0) 1675 443812Fax: +44 (0) 1675443812

Mobile: +44 (0) 7771 826842Email: [email protected]

I am delighted to confirm that we have received the final version of the invitationto tender for the InterCity East Coast franchise which means that we can nowconsult you. The time allowed for completing and submitting our proposals isvery tight, and if you would like to meet members of our bid team, I would begrateful if you would contact us urgently. Ideally, we would like to meet youduring the next three weeks so that we can properly consider your commentsand aspirations. I realise this may not be possible, in which case I would be verypleased to receive your views over the phone, by mail to the above address or byemail [email protected]

To arrange a meeting, please contact my colleague, Catherine Glanville, on01793499412 or at [email protected]

We are planning to hold several forums at key cities along the East Coast route,and I will be back in touch when times, dates and venues are confirmed.

Yours sincerely

Robin EtheringtonCommunications Manager, UK Rail

~member

Orml Woslorn Tmins C '.on1p


6/18

SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE

Minister for TransportNicol Stephen MSP

Mr Robin EtheringtonFirst Group11 Station RoadHampton-in-ArdenSolihul]West MidlandsB92 OBJ


Telephone: 0845 774 t [email protected]://www .scotland.gov .uk

Our ref:,2004/0030070

L ~ November 2004

f, ~t\Cr,!~,-kr\ \

t , ). . .~-

Thank you for your letter of 8 October to Nicol Stephen, Minister for Transport requesting a meetingto discuss First Group's bid for the InterCity East Coast rail ftanchise.

I understand that representatives from First Group will be meeting with Scottish Executive officialson 5 November to discuss the bid. However, the Minister would be pleased to meet with yourrepresentatives to discuss the proposals for the ftanchise in light of the importance of the servicesprovided on this key cross-border line and Scottish local services.

I would be grateful if you could contact the Ministers Diary Secretary, Angela Rowan (0131 2441473) to arrange a mutually convenient date and time.

C _ )oiVESTOR IN 1'1:01"1.


7/18

SCOTTISH EXECUTM


Moir LockheadChief ExecutiveFirst Group395 King StreetAberdeenAB245RP


Telephone: [email protected]://www .scotland.gov .uk

Our re6 2003/0020810

,07October 2003

It was good to meet you on 14 August to discuss (amongst other things) your proposals for the nextScottish passenger rail franchise. Gordon Dewar subsequently wrote to Andy Kerr, the Minister for

Finance and Public Services, on 15 September and set out the key principles upon which First arebidding. As the portfolio Minister it is for me to respond on Andy's behalf and I am thereforecopying this letter to Mr Dewar and would like to pass on our thanks to him for writing. I hope thathe will accept this as our response to his letter.

I would like to follow up our discussion in August by briefly recording a bit of the background onhow devolution has impacted on the ScotRail franchise, and the role of Scottish Ministers in thereletting process. I am writing to your fellow bidders in similar terms and I hope you will all findthis information helpful as you come to finalise your bids.

Much of the rail industry, including the work of Network Rail and the Strategic Rail Authority

(SRA), rightly operates on a GB-wide basis. However, at the time of devolution a package of measures was agreed which devolved some elements of rail to the Scottish Ministers and ScottishParliament. One of the most significant aspects of this was that it gave Scottish Ministers the powerto specify and fund the ScotRail franchise.

In tenns of specification of the new franchise, it was agreed that Scottish Ministers should direct theSRA in relation to ScotRail services. We issued our directions and guidance for the franchise to theSRA on 28 June 2002, and these were appended for your reference to the draft Invitation to Tender

. which issued on 28 July 2003. These set out the terms on which the SRA was to let the ScotRailfranchise. The Executive will continue to work in close partnership with the SRA throughout thefranchise re-letting process.


8/18

In terms of the financing of the new franchise, all funding powers and public expenditureresponsibility have been transferred to the Scottish Executive. As such, the Scottish Ministers willbe accountable to the Scottish Parliament for this spending and indeed the Scottish Parliament hastaken a close interest in our progress with the reletting process to date.

The SRA is acting on behalf of Scottish Ministers in reletting the franchise and, as the Minister forTransport, I take a very close interest in all aspects of the bidding process. I am sure that you arenow well versed in the messages in the Invitation to Tender about our priorities for delivering abetter rail service for passengers.

I am looking forward to receiving your bid, and those of your fellow bidders. I am confident that thisreletting process will result in the best possible outcome for rail services in Scotland.

K~ ~~Sl

"V~t

NICOL STEPHEN

Copy to:Gordon DewarCommercial Director (Scotland), First Group

()


9/18

Mr Nicol Stephen MSPMinister for TransportScottish ExecutiveFloor 3-FVictoria QuayLeith

EdinburghEH66QQ

Dear Nicol,

Scotstoun Depot Opening Dinner

3 0 O C - i 2093

P R li A T E O F fi C E


197 Victoria RoadGlasgow G42 7AD

Tel: 0141 4236600Fax:0141 6363228

310CT'03 8>:;

As you will be aware from our previous conversations, our new 4.25 million depot in SouthStreet, Scotstoun will be fully operational from Sunday 11th January 2004.

Scotstoun depot will house 250 vehicles in this seven acre site, and marks an importantmilestone for First in Glasgow; we are matching our investment in new vehicles for customers

with state of the art new facilities for our staff. We are confident that this continuedinvestment will result in an even better public transport system for the people of Glasgow.

In order to celebrate this official opening, we are planning to hold an evening of celebrationsduring the week prior to the opening, which is likely to include dinner and entertainment.

We are very keen for you to play an active role in the opening ceremony of Scotstoun depot,and I am writing at this early stage to advise you of the provisional dates we have in mind inthe hope that we can plan the event around your availability.

At this stage, the preferred date is Thursday 8 th January 2004, with Tuesday 6 th Januarybeing the second option.

We would be very grateful for your support with this event and do hope that you can join usfor what promises to be a highly enjoyable evening.

Please could your office advise Nicola Hughes, Marketing and PR Executive (0141 6363277,nicola.huahes~firstaroup.com) of your availability in the first instance and if appropriate, wewill be in touch at a later date to discuss your involvement in the celebrations in more detail.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Yours sincerely,

('v(~Stt~~Eric C StewartManaging Director, First (Glasgow)

~member

fOl./4:fO C ~.~,~:::;~.. Mem er__ ..__ .. membre..:::-_, Mi1gliedFirst Glasgow (No.1) Umrted and

First GlaSGOW (No.2) I imiteei

RcgiBlorcd inSc:otklnd nlJrntJOr97299 and 1?701?

WI Victona R oad. Glasgow G42IN)


10/18

SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE



Mr Eric C. StewartFirst Glasgow197 Victoria RoadGlasgowG42 7AD

Telephone: [email protected]://www .scotland.gov.uk

Our ref: 2003/0024157o Decem"",2003

Thank you for your recent letter to Nicol Stephen, Minister for Transport, inviting him to theScotstoun Depot Opening Dinner on Thursday 8 January 2003.

Unfortunately, Mr Stephen will be unable to accept your kind invitation.

He has asked me to pass on his best wishes for a successful and enjoyable evening.

()INVESTOR IN peopLE


11/18


12/18

SCOTTISH EXECUTIVEMinisterial Correspondence Report

Details of Case 200310018739 For Acceptance

Type: Diary Long MP Case: N

Subject : Bus Po licyflegislation

Minister: Nicol Stephen

Letter Details: Scottish National Transport Awards Dinner - 14th October 2003

Author : MsAnne W. WeirFirst Glasj1;ow197 Victoria RoadGlasj1;ow

G42 7AD

Date Received

PO Deadline Date

Final Reply Deadline

Addressed To:NS

E-Mail:

none.

: 03/09/2003

: 24/0912003

: 29/09/2003

IAction Officer : Laura Hitchings Ext. 40842Notes : Scottish National Transport Awards Dinner - 14th October 2003

I Enclosures:

CaseBanner.rpt

Version: 1.02.001 01 Dee 2001 Page 1 of 1 Printerlat: 22


13/18

SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE


Ms Anne W WeirFirst Glasgow197 Victoria RoadGlasgowG427AD

Victoria QuayEdinburgh EH66QQ

Telephone: [email protected]://www.scotland.gov.uk

Our ref: 2003/0018739

L) September 2003

Thank you for your letter of 21 August inviting Nicol Stephen, Minister for Transport to join First'stable at the National Transport Awards Dinner on Tuesday 14 October 2003.

I very much regret that Mr Stephen will be unable to accept your kind invitation, unfortunately hehas a prior engagement on 14 October. Mr Stephen has asked me to pass on his best wishes andlooks forward to seeing both Gary Raven and yourself when he addresses the Conference on15 October.

LESLEY CLINKSCALESPrivate Secretary

()JNVESTDR IN Pl iOPLB
mailto:[email protected]://www.scotland.gov.uk/http://www.scotland.gov.uk/mailto:[email protected]


14/18


15/18

~ 001.'onK O IR L OC DE A D F IR ST

~First~i1transforming travel

OUf Ref: MULBlnm

395 King Street

Aberdeen A624 5RPT e l: + 4r.. (0) 1224 a50100Fax: +44 (01122465:)140

21 May2003

Mr Nicol Stephen40 Momingfleld RoadABERDEENAU154QA

Dear Nicol

Congratul~tlons on your appointment as Transport Minister for Scotland andthe elevation of this post to the Scottish executiveCabinet

When you have had a chance to settle In I would be pleased to meet with youand your colleaguesto discuss transportissues and to give you an up-date onsome of the things we are doing UK wide and InNorth America.

Best wishes.

Yours sincerely

v ~Morr~dChief executive

'16 JUN'03 9:54

~~.~;.,Ttb.r ATOC III

~'1t~"ti\:ILJL:.rl.~~ t~ .)., qiS~;(;){.I;.~n;1 fiul1'[,.\)J' .\.\. 1 .~~

:i\Jc""\1 ~N',,;\(, ~b!i:j!)i~; .:.\j-;:!i,c,R."


16/18

t3/1)6 .2003 14:1~ FAI. 850149 : l OI R L O CK B EA D F I RS T@001

FIrst"transformlng travel.

395 King StreetAb8rdeenAB24 5RPTel: 012246fi0102Fax: 012:z4650149

Followtngour telephoneconversation. Iattach the letterwhich Mr MoirL{)Ckhead sent to Nicol Stephen on 21 May.

As I s8ldf8rhaps they could meet In Aberdeen.

Tw opo8sibledates areThut&day14 August InEdinburgh,or Friday 15August in Aberdeen. but you can Jetme knowwhat suits the Minister.

Thanks

Direct line here Is 01224 65010216 JUN '03 9:54

If there is aproble~ with this fax. pl contBCtLofsBrown on 01224650102

T1)taJ number ofpaget: 2- (~~ 1~) .F IlS tG roI.a pplo~iItered In Scotland number157176395 King street,AberoeenAS24 5RP


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2 2 A U G Z O O : )A I E R D E E I

N I C O l 5 T E P H E N . 5

o2 S E P 2 0 03P R I V A T E O F F I C E

I ,

GSRJAW

21 August 2003

Nicol Stephen MSPTransport Minister173a Crown StreetABERDEEN

.-~p 2 00 3E O fF Ic r .

N IC O L S T E P H E II M S P


197 Victoria RoadGlasgow G42 7AD

Tel: 0141 4236600Fax:0141 636 3228

Dear Mr Stephen

Scottish National Transport Awards Dinner 2003 - Tuesday 14 October 2003

On behalf of Garry Raven, it is my pleasure to invite you to join First's table at the ScottishNational Transport Awards Dinner on Tuesday 14 October 2003.

The dinner will be held in the Glasgow Moat House, Congress Road Glasgow. The eveningwill begin with a Drinks Reception from 1900 - 1930 hrs followed by Dinner and the ScottishNational Transport Awards Presentation.

Garry hopes that you are able to join him on the evening.

Please respond to myself on 0141 636 3011, anne.weirCd2firstarouP.com or at the aboveaddress.

Kind regards.

Yours sincerely

Anne W WeirPA to Garry Raven, Divisional Director Scotland

~member

First Glasgow (No.1) Limited andFirst Glasgow (No.2) Urniled

Rcgislered in Scotland number97299 and 127012

197 Victoria Road. Glasgow G42 lAD


18/18

AC/haf

24 Sept.ember 2004

Nicol Stephen, MSPScottish ParliamentEdinburghEH99 1SP

Dear Nicol,

\ \

First ,.transforming travelC em rom 0I!Iees3 8 C u e e n S I r e e t

~~~w t(1i(1i 3 E P H E N N S PTel: 0141271 5024Fax:0141..s488001 "':iE P 1U O ~

A B E R D E E N

5 OCT'04 10:06

I would like to invite you to the above Dinner, at which First ScotRaii have taken atable. Mary Dickson, our Managing Director, is one of the guest speakers at theConference. so will be on the top table but she will join us after the formal section ofthe evening is over.

Please contact Heather Fraser, my PA, on 0141-636 3001 and advise her if you areable to attend what I am sure will prove to be a very enjoyable evening. The dresscode is lounge suit.

Yours sincerely

GORDON DEWAR

Commercial Director

First ScoIR ail LIm itedR egis tered in Scot land, num ber SC 185018

395 K ing Street. A befdeenAi245R P

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