14 March 2008
Cash pledge eases projects' plight
SPT has extended support to two community transport projects which would otherwise have faced staff redundancies.
Coalfield Community Transport in East Ayrshire and the British Red Cross in North Ayrshire both faced a funding shortfall after a restructuring of transport funds by the Scottish Government.
Both groups were previously funded through the Rural Community Transport Initiative which has now been brought to a close.
As a result, neither had confirmation of future funding after 31 March, 2008.
However, East Ayrshire and North Ayrshire Councils have passed their general transport fund to SPT to decide how the money should best be spent.
SPT has decided to allocate some of this funding to continue the Coalfield Community Transport and British Red Cross projects for another year.
Coalfield provides community and voluntary groups with affordable and accessible transport to social and recreational activities.
To ensure the project can operate for another year, SPT members have agreed to provide Coalfield with £93,294 for 2008/09.
The British Red Cross provides drivers and escorts to help people who have difficulty using mainstream public transport to get to hospital or doctors' appointments.
SPT has awarded the project £43,822 for the next year.
Chair of SPT, Councillor Alistair Watson, said: “Both of these projects play a valuable role within their respective local communities.
"They help provide accessible transport to those who find it difficult to use mainstream public transport or those who may otherwise be left without public transport.
“I’m delighted that we are able to fund both groups for another year and I have no doubt that this is money well spent.”
SPT is to conduct a thorough audit of community transport schemes across Strathclyde to help shape future funding for the sector.
ends