Dear All,

I hope this message finds you well.

I am writing with deeply concerning news regarding a potential decision currently under consideration by Wiltshire Council that directly affects the funding Community First receives to support the Community Transport sector in Wiltshire. As you know, this sector includes 22 Community Transport (minibus) groups and 43 Link Schemes.

Wiltshire Council has informed us that both our funding agreement and the direct operational funding provided to Community Transport groups are being reviewed at the Full Cabinet meeting scheduled for the end of February. We have been advised that all funding is expected to cease at the end of the current financial year (31 March 2026).

Crucially, this decision has been taken without consultation, and we have been explicitly advised that:

• No replacement support service will be provided by Wiltshire Council, and
• No alternative funding will be made available to enable another organisation to support the sector.

Without this funding, Community First will be unable to continue providing support to Link Schemes and Community Transport groups beyond the end of this financial year.

This funding currently enables Community First to deliver essential support, including:

• Arranging and supporting chairs’, volunteers’, coordinators’, and drivers’ meetings and networking opportunities
• Creating and maintaining the Good Practice Guide (covering safeguarding, governance, volunteer management, and operational standards)
• Arranging and facilitating training (including safeguarding, GDPR, and other key topics)
• Lobbying on behalf of the sector at local and national levels
• Covering the full cost of DBS checks for Link Schemes (over £5,000 annually)
• Managing and awarding operational grants for Link Schemes (IT equipment, software, laptops, etc.)
• Providing comprehensive day-to-day support to all Link Schemes and Community Transport groups
• Housing and maintaining the Link Scheme and Community Transport directory
• Managing hundreds of public enquiries each year from people seeking transport solutions
• Direct volunteer recruitment through community engagement
• Indirect volunteer recruitment via Community First social media and targeted outreach
• Producing an annual audit demonstrating the social and economic impact of Link Schemes - celebrating combined efforts
• Grant allocation for Mature Driver Assessments
• Acting as a central point of contact for hospital parking arrangements
• Facilitating communication between schemes to share ideas and best practice
• Recognising schemes’ and groups’ achievements through Community First AGM awards

We fully appreciate that this news will come as a shock, and we share your concerns.

Community First has formally challenged this decision. Our Chair has written directly to the Leader of Wiltshire Council and relevant Cabinet Members, urging them to reconsider and to meet with Community First and representatives from the Community Transport and Link Scheme sector before the end of this month to discuss the significant impacts of this proposal.

In addition:

• The Chair of the Wiltshire & Swindon Community Transport Association is planning to write to the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Members outlining the severe consequences for member organisations.
• Several Community Transport groups are also planning to write directly to the Leader of Wiltshire Council and relevant Cabinet members, with some indicating they may be forced to cease operating within a short timeframe if funding is withdrawn.

We will do everything possible to ensure Wiltshire Council fully understands the consequences of this decision for the thousands of people across Wiltshire who rely on your services.

If you choose to contact Wiltshire Council—either individually, collectively, or both—please find the relevant contact details below. If you do write, I kindly ask that you copy both myself and Jason Salter into your correspondence, as this will greatly support our ongoing lobbying efforts.

Leader of the Council – Cllr Ian Thorn: ian.thorn@wiltshire.gov.uk
Deputy Leader & Cabinet Member for Communities, Engagement and Corporate Services – Cllr Mel Jacob: mel.jacob@wiltshire.gov.uk
Cabinet Member for Public Health & Co-ordination with the NHS – Cllr Clare Cape: clare.cape@wiltshire.gov.uk
Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care – Cllr Gordon King: gordon.king@wiltshire.gov.uk
Cabinet Member for Highways, Streetscene and Flooding – Cllr Martin Smith: martin.smith@wiltshire.gov.uk
Head of Passenger Transport – Jason Salter: jason.salter@wiltshire.gov.uk
Deputy CEO, Community First – htipple@communityfirst.org.uk