A Perth and Kinross charity that provides vital assistance to disabled people has collapsed amid claims of withdrawn funding and failed bids for cash grants.
Since the Perth and Kinross Community Transport Group (PKCTG) began in 1998 it has played a unique role in promoting, developing and sustaining voluntary community transport.
Over the past 15 years it has become an established resource for residents and groups across the region, helping disabled, ageing and isolated residents.
It boasts 36 members, together with 700 associated volunteers, a nine-member Community Car Association (CCA) and a Minibus Operators Group (MOG) with eight members.
Sadly, despite its successes, chairman Dr Norman Jarvie has been forced to announce that the charity has now ceased trading.
A proposal for the group’s dissolution will now be made at a special general meeting on April 15.
While no one will lose their community transport as a result of the charity’s demise and local service providers will continue, a disappointed Dr Jarvie said the sector would lose an important voice.
“Formerly the Scottish Government and latterly the council have generously supported the activities of the group, but over time their priorities have changed.
“Despite achieving every objective in our Business Plans since 2007, the group have no identifiable funding stream for day-to- day operations.
“Multiple applications have been made to grant-awarding bodies without success.”
He went on: “It is unclear who will advocate for the voluntary transport sector in the future but hopefully the legacy of the group will live on through local organisations and committed volunteers.
“Inevitably, the cessation of our services will impact on the many who are disabled physically or mentally, disadvantaged by age, isolation or rurality and who rely on voluntary transport in Perth and Kinross.”
A part-time community transport support worker employed by the group has run subsidised minibus driver and passenger assistant training for many years.
The group has also negotiated successfully with Perth and Kinross Council on Blue Badge issues, and published articles on transport and health-related topics and several directories on local voluntary services.
A spokesman for Perth and Kinross Council told The Courier: “It is very important to stress the primary function of PKCTG was to support, promote and develop community transport operators, rather than providing transport.
“The council’s community transport fund will continue to make funding available to support community transport provision across Perth and Kinross.
“The PKCTG previously received funding from a variety of sources, including Scottish Government, NHS and Perth and Kinross Council. Since 2009, however, Perth and Kinross Council has been the group’s only source of funding.
“Last year, we allocated the group £6,000, directly from the community transport fund. The only condition attached to this award was that it would be last time the PKCTG would be considered for core funding.”
Councillor Alexander Stewart is chairman of Perth Access Cars, which provides transport for vulnerable and disabled passengers around the east of Scotland.
He paid tribute to the work of the PKCTG, adding: “It’s sad that they are closing and will no longer continue, but it’s quite understandable under the circumstances. They have received funding from the council in the past, and other organisations, but core funding is no longer sustainable in the current situation.”