Wednesday, 29 June 2022

ACTION GROUP 3

GETTING ABOUT BRIEFING NOTE

1. Rob Mullen did some work on the bus, investigating second hand hire/purchase pr hire a new bus for a trial.  This was quite challenging.   Second hand may bring additional issues but a quote for a new bus is attached with the upfront and monthly costs.  The waiting time for a bus is about a year.  Could a out of season option with Happy Tours be an option in the area?

2. Nick Wright offered a Place Planning exercise for each area of the Strath, building on the CAP.  This would be welcomed by the local authority to help inform their Local Development Plan in our area, community driven.  Details of work and quote enclosed

Rob Mullen did some work on the bus, investigating secondhand hire/purchase or hire of a new bus for a trial.  This was quite challenging.  Secondhand may babe problematic.  A new bus with upfront and £800 monthly costs.  The waiting time for a bus is about a year.  

There is an issue about training drivers.  A 9 seat minibus might be a more viable option than a bigger bus, because of the less onerous training needs.

Private hire / taxis are often not accessible for disabled people.

Could there be an out of season option with Happy Tours be an option in the area?

Discussions are also ongoing with the schools, but Tony doesn’t know the detail.  School minibuses aren't used for summer holidays (eg Millburn Academy has 2 minibuses which are parked up all summer) and might offer the opportunity for a trial, to test demand.  The Council would see it as a way of generating some income.

Basically, it’s not easy as Rob hoped, but he and Tony are plugging away.

Other nearby examples which might be worth contacting:

- Fort Augustus are exploring community transport

- Strathnairn already has a "drive yourself" minibus for hire

- West Wheels Car Club, Mallaig https://westwheels.co.uk/

- Transport for Tongue (scheduled minibus runs with population smaller than S+F) https://transportfortongue.co.uk/

Catriona will make some enquiries with Avis about the possibility of doing something with them.

BCC run the car lift scheme and should be included.

Secondly Nick Wright offered a place planning exercise for each area of the Strath, building on the CAP.  This would be welcomed by the local authority to help inform their Local Development Plan in our area, community driven.

Tony explained that there are a number of CAP projects which aren’t quite bottomed out yet (paths, housing etc) which could benefit from this approach.  Basically it’s to enable the community to think where they would like things to happen in their community.

Points made in discussion:

- It will help visualise the changes proposed in the Community Action Plan (like houses and paths).

- It will help communities see change in the round, rather than isolated proposals like new houses without facilities.

- It will help influence the Council and other public services.

- No voices of dissent in the meeting!

2026

February (2 stories)

3 February 📚 Mobile Library Visiting Tomorrow! 🚐✨

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3 February RSABI Fundraising Event

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January (12 stories)

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26 January 📚 Mobile Library Visiting Tomorrow! 🚐✨

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22 January 🔥 Free Firewood Available – Whitebridge Area 🔥

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21 January Large grant application from BCC for Foyers Stores Acquisition - Update

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20 January Thank you!

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14 January Apply for our Project Coordinator role

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7 January 🌟 New Year, New Opportunities! 🌟

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6 January 🎉 Calling all community organisers! 🎉

Do you run a class, group or one-off activity in one of the local buildings? We’d love to help spread the word! 💛 Our SFCT Community Calendar is looking a ...

6 January Mobile Library Visit Cancelled – Wednesday 7th January 2026

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