CASH BOOST FOR NORTH NORFOLK COMMUNITY TRANSPORT FROM VICTORY HOUSING TRUST
North Norfolk’s community transport charity has received a £10,000 boost from the area’s largest social landlord as it seeks to adapt its operating model due to a current consultation on Department for Transport operating regulations.
Victory Housing Trust has made the grant to North Norfolk Community Transport (NNCT) to help it cope with proposed changes to operating permits which could limit the organisation’s ability to earn money through contracts for school transport and similar arrangements.
The money is the latest in a series of grants from Victory which have helped NNCT expand and update its services, which are used by many of Victory’s tenants living in rural communities in the north of the county.
“We are very grateful for this latest support from Victory, part of a really important partnership for us,” said Claire Abbs, NNCT chief executive.
“At the moment the Department for Transport is consulting on the use of ‘Section 19 ‘ permits, which currently allow us to take on community contracts without having a commercial operators licence – and that income is an important part of how we keep our core services on the road.
“This grant from Victory will support us to transform the way that we operate and adapt our model to ensure that we are able to carry on providing the vital community transport service across north Norfolk.”
The grant from Victory’s Community Fund is the latest from the housing association, which views NNCT as a strategic partner.
“Half of our housing stock is in rural areas, and NNCT is an important part in the jigsaw which allows those people to live, work and avoid isolation,” said John Archibald, chief executive of Victory Housing Trust.
“This latest grant is a very good example of how we use our Community Fund to support organisations which are working right in the heart of our communities, benefitting not just our own residents, but the wider community as well.”
Previous grants from Victory to NNCT during the past six years have helped the organisation buy additional vehicles, improve communications, and market their services to reach more people.