Tower
Hamlets Community Transport is a small charity based in Limehouse, set up to
provide transport to voluntary and community groups in Tower Hamlets
Tower
Hamlets Community Transport is a small charity based in Limehouse, set up to
provide transport to voluntary and community groups in Tower Hamlets
As many of you are aware, the last eighteen months have been a period of great uncertainty for THCT. Our difficulties have centred on the potential loss of our Core Funding from Tower Hamlets Council.
After months of discussion the Council have agreed to provide £80,000 towards the core costs of Community Transport for the current financial year. Whilst this may seem to be a large sum, this grant is less than the core funding that THCT was receiving from the Council in 1998. However, it is encouraging to hear that Tower Hamlets have indicated that they will continue to provide some funding support in forthcoming years
With the reduction in core funding from the Council and the loss of grants from other sources the THCT Management Committee has had to make some very difficult decisions in terms of what services can still be provided with such reduced funding levels.
From January 2010 THCT services have been reduced to the vehicle operation only with the vehicle partnerships that support this service also continuing. The Access Bus service has closed, whilst the training and volunteer services have been suspended. The staff that will produce this service are the Project Co-ordinator, the Bookings/Admin Officer and the Fleet Engineer. Members should note that we will be closing one phone line (0207 987 4340) therefore all calls should be directed to: 0207 987 6447.
In the longer term, the consultancy that has been engaged by the Council will have completed its work. This work will produce a business plan and fundraising strategy that aims to ensure that THCT services are developed and that the organisation become more sustainable.
With the completion of this work we hope that THCT will be able to adapt to
changing circumstances and develop new and sustainable services.