Grants to continue support for community transport initiatives in Caithness agreed

Community transport initiatives across Caithness and the Highland region will have grant funding extended for another year following a council decision today (November 10).

This will allow the groups to "continue the important role they play in their local communities", said a Highland Council spokesperson.

Chair of the economy and infrastructure committee, Cllr Ken Gowans wanted to highlight the valuable work undertaken by providers. He said: “The role of community transport providers is vital, and we welcome the diversity of projects and activities spread across the Highlands which address local unique circumstances and opportunities.

“Crucially, these initiatives foster communities’ direct involvement in finding solutions which most closely address and meet their transport needs, with the added benefit of empowering individuals and the broader community.”

Although all 26 projects have their individual characteristics, community transport has an important role in meeting essential transport needs of people who have limited mobility, which may be for various reasons such as isolation, disability, poverty or unavailability of other forms of transport.

The sum of £359,000 has been made available to continue support during 2023.

The report presented to the committee highlighted that the council has supported some community transport groups in expanding their activities to include home to school transport, where they have been able to provide more cost-effective services for small numbers of pupils than previous private sector contracts.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.