Grant aid for Sutherland community transport schemes
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Highland Council has awarded annual grants for 2024/25 to four organisations running community transport initiatives in Sutherland.
The four groups in the county are among 28 across the Highlands to receive a share of the £385,000 available.
The grants were approved by members of the council's economy and infrastructure committee at a meeting earlier this month.
Connect Assynt will receive £7,300; Dornoch Area community interest company £5,000; Go Golspie Development Trust £5,000 and Helmsdale Community Transport £2,500.
As well as confirming annual funding for the community transport groups, the committee agreed to maintain the £7,000 annual community transport budget which supports driver training and emergency repairs.
It was further agreed that a proportion of the funding provided by Transport Scotland's Community Bus Fund (CBF) be used to secure vehicle provision for a number of groups, as capital funding is not accommodated within the Community Transport Grant budget.
Committee chairman, Councillor Ken Gowans, highlighed the valuable work carried out by providers.
He said: “The role of community transport providers is vital, and we welcome the diversity of projects and activities across the Highlands responding to unique local circumstances and opportunities.
"They bring important social benefits to communities where public transport either does not exist or is very limited."
