Safer, Greener & Cleaner Places Cabinet Member – Minutes – 4 July 2017

3 (3) HUMBER AND WOLDS RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL: VOLUNTARY CAR SERVICE – The Director: Operations submitted a report seeking approval of a grant £15,000 for Humber and Wolds Rural Community Council (HWRCC) as an ongoing commitment to the voluntary sector.

HWRCC provided a voluntary car service for elderly, lonely, isolated or disabled people who needed to make essential journeys but could use public transport and had no car of their own or anyone who could take them.  The service arranged for volunteers to provide journeys using their own cars. The user paid the driver’s expenses for the trip, usually a sum between the bus fare and a taxi fare.

The service was based in Barton upon Humber.  It helped people living mainly in the rural parts of North Lincolnshire. The scheme was available to all residents in North Lincolnshire. HWRCC also worked with Age UK North Lincolnshire to provide access to wheelchair friendly transport therefore extending the capacity of the scheme without increased costs.

It provided journeys within the area and to outside destinations such as hospitals or taking carers to visit their relatives in residential care.  It was highly valued by users as evidenced by passenger feedback.

Resolved – (a) That a grant of £15,000 in 2017/18 to the Humber and Wolds Rural Community Council, to support the Voluntary Car Service, be approved, and (b) that regular monitoring of passenger numbers and scheme impact on the community, health and social care services and individuals, continued to be undertaken.