MACS APPOINTMENTS
Within the next few months we will be seeking applications to fill the 15 membership posts on MACS; we will also be required to fill the Convener's post in October.
In line with the Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland Regulations 2002, at least one half of the members, including the Convener, must be disabled persons as determined by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.
The skills required for the post are likely to be as follows:
· The ability to work effectively in a team.
· The ability to present views at the Committee.
· The ability to analyse and review issues, which in some occasions may be complex.
· The ability to challenge constructively and to weigh up conflicting opinions.
· The ability to think strategically and see the big picture.
· Knowledge of the accessibility issues that affect transport users.
The posts will receive a daily attendance allowance of £100, the allowance for the convener will be £150.
If you would like to be notified when these opportunities arise please contact the MACS Secretariat at the Scottish Government on 0131 244 5306 or by email at macs@scotland.gsi.gov.uk.
Further information about MACS can be viewed at the MACS website http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Transport/macs.
MACS AND PTUC DEBATE IN THE TRANSPORT, INFRASTRUCTURE AND CLIMATE COMMITTEE TUESDAY 10th JUNE 2008
Following a debate at the Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee the Scottish Government decided not to proceed with the necessary legislation required for the amalgamation of the Public Transport Users' Committee for Scotland (PTUC) and the Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland (MACS). Two Revocation Statutory Instruments were subsequently laid in Parliament and come into effect on 14 June. The revocations mean that the PTUC and MACS will continue to exist as separate advisory NDPBs
For anyone interested, the full report of the debate in the Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee can be read at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s3/committees/ticc/or-08/tr08-1302.htm#Col793
What is the Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland (MACS)?
The Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland (MACS) was established in 2002 as an Advisory Public Body that gives advice to Scottish Ministers on matters relating to the needs of disabled persons in connection with transport.
How can MACS make a difference?
There are several routes through which MACS will do this. The first is by responding to consultations issued by the Scottish Government. MACS considers all transport consultation documents issued by the Government and will advise Ministers if the proposals set out do not take full consideration of the needs of disabled people. MACS will also respond to other relevant consultation documents where appropriate. These consultation responses can be found in the resources section of this website.
MACS will also decide to run its own investigations from time to time. This work will be undertaken where we think there is a need to address a particular problem in access to transport and where the Government or others appear not to be taking action. The result of such work would normally be a report or a set of recommendations advising how the situation could be improved. Copies of our findings will be sent to Scottish Ministers and will normally be published in the resources section of this website.
MACS will apply private and public pressure to Ministers and transport operators to make changes to transport services to ensure that they are accessible to all.
What has MACS achieved and what will it do in the future?
MACS has a clear vision and aims which it works towards through its annual work programme. Copies of our current and past work programmes and annual reports can be found in the resources section. You will also find information on what MACS has achieved and is working on under the separate working groups links.
If you have any comments on the work of MACS (or on areas where you think we should be doing some work) do not hesitate to contact us.
How does MACS operate?
MACS meets as a full Committee a minimum of four times each year. This means that there is not time for all MACS work to be done in the full Committee. Instead two working groups, Policy and Research and Services, have been set up which do detailed work on specific topics as decided by the full Committee. The Working Groups then report back to the full Committee with completed pieces of work and once agreed these will issue as MACS documents. All of MACS documents produced to date along with minutes of MACS meetings can be found in the resources section.
MACS also works closely with its English counterpart, the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC). Information on the working relationship between the two bodies can be found in the Concordat with DPTAC.