Council U-turn on community transport funding cuts

A council has reversed a plan to cut £150,000 in funding for a "vital" community transport service for elderly and disabled people.

The proposal would have affected Wiltshire's Link Schemes – small charities with about 2,000 volunteers in total, who help transport people to medical appointments or to the shops.

Fears were raised when Wiltshire Council's draft budget suggested the cut.

But councillor Gavin Grant told a council meeting the plan had been a mistake. An amendment reversing the move has now been unanimously accepted by cabinet members.

Grant told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he had "missed" the cut when reviewing the draft budget.

"It was my error in not spotting it," he said.

Councillor Richard Clewer said: "I was astonished when I saw community transport included as a budget saving.

"Hundreds of volunteers have been very concerned on behalf of service users.

"I am very glad you are reversing it."

The Links Schemes are considered a lifeline, especially in rural areas where regular bus services are limited.

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