New initiative by Sutherland councillors delivers electric cars to two communities, with more to come
Two new electric cars have been delivered to Sutherland communities as part of an ambitious county-wide community transport initiative that has been months in the making.
Farr North Community Development Trust in Bettyhill and Brora Community Enterprises were presented with the vehicles this week by the newly-formed Sutherland Resilience Initiative Ltd (SRI) - a not-for-profit company set up by Sutherland’s six Highland councillors.
The company, which was registered with Companies House in January and is independent of Highland Council, will also shortly deliver two new cars to community groups in Lairg and Scourie.
The community car will be used primarily for health, education and employment purposes - taking local patients to hospital appointments, children after-school activities, and workers to their place of employment, but also for other activities.
Simon Lee, manager of the Farr North Community Development Trust, said: “This car is a small but really significant start to overcoming the disadvantages of living in our beautiful but remote and isolated communities.”
Local councillors decided to set up Sutherland Resilience Initiative amid growing concerns about depopulation, particularly in the north and north-west of the county.
Community surveys showed that a lack of transport to access services was a factor in the depopulation crisis.
It was also felt that Sutherland was being “overlooked” because there was no single organisation working to promote and attract investment into the county, unlike in Caithness which has a Chamber of Commerce.
And councillors were concerned there was no organisation in place in Sutherland to capitalise on the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport, the catchment area for which extends to Brora.
SRI successfully applied for a £102,000 grant from the Coastal Communities Fund to cover the costs of the electric cars.
Councillor Richard Gale, chairman of Sutherland County Committee, said: “We have funding to launch the service initially on a small scale and will be seeking funding to expand it. We are working in partnership with development trusts and other local organisations to deliver the service.
“To be clear we are not looking to duplicate services and where there is already a good transport service in place, we will do what we can to support and enhance it without threatening the excellent work already being done by local organisations.
“We want to work with all stakeholders to ensure that we can reach across the county and that no one is disadvantaged by a lack of affordable transport.”
It is now hoped that the scope of the new company will be broadened to address other factors that lead to people leaving the county.
Cllr Gale said: “Having formed the company, it has quickly become apparent that this is the perfect vehicle to address so many other aspects of the depopulation issue.
“The intention is to broaden the scope of SRI to include the shortage of housing, childcare, employment and all other aspects that anyone who wishes to stay and work in the county or move to the area needs in this day and age.
“We know that a shortage of workers led to the closure of Caladh Sona care home in Tongue and with no accommodation available to encourage care workers to move to the area, the operation of the new care home is also at risk.
He added: “The purpose of the SRI has morphed from a transport initiative to one that will work hard with businesses, communities, development trusts and all other stakeholders to provide the necessary service that we all expect in a modern age.”
The SRI will hold an Extraordinary General meeting shortly and communities across the county are being encouraged to nominate members to join its management board.
