Details regarding Project Neptune report: FOI release

Information requested

1. When did the Project Neptune report get commissioned, who wrote it and what is it about?

2. Costs so far in creating the report?

3. Is Project Neptune completed yet, and if not, why?

4. If it is, when will it be considered and reported to MSPs?

5. If available/possible, please send me the Project Neptune documents.

Response

I provide below answers to items 1-4 with details where to locate this information which is already in the public domain.

1. When did the Project Neptune report get commissioned, who wrote it and what is it about?
The name of the consultant who was commissioned to undertake Project Neptune and the date Transport Scotland signed the contract were provided in the answer to the parliamentary question S6W-02135 answered 10/08/2021.

A file including consultancy requirements for the independent review has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre under BIB number 62666 following the parliamentary question S6W-02579.

The Statement of Requirements and call of order documents were previously release under FOI request 202100228098 from 23/09/2021 and 04/11/2021 respectively.

2. Costs so far in creating the report?
The value of the contract was provided in the answers to the parliamentary questions S6W-02579 answered 30/08/2021 and S6W-06707 answered 08/03/2022.

3. Is Project Neptune completed yet, and if not, why?
Yes.

4. If it is, when will it be considered and reported to MSPs?
The final report was received on 17th February 2022 and the Minister for Transport has given assurances in parliament that it will be considered as soon as possible. Publication is anticipated to be in the coming weeks but may be impacted by the local council election period. Following publication we will then engage with all key stakeholders to ensure the most efficient and best value arrangement to deliver our key lifeline ferry services.

5. If available/possible, please send me the Project Neptune documents.
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide the information you have requested because an exemption under section 27(1) allows public authorities to refuse to disclose information if they already plan to publish it within the next 12 weeks.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.