Elected Member Briefing Note 2026, No. 35
About this Briefing Note
Report by: Elaine Ritchie, Strategic Lead, Housing and Communities
Date: 09 March 2026
Subject: Community Minibus Transfer
Details
Purpose
This briefing note updates Elected Members on the pilot Community Minibus Transfer Scheme run in 2025.
Briefing Information
In September 2024 Finance and Resource Committee approved a Minibus Disposal Policy which enabled the transfer of end of operational life minibuses from Perth and Kinross Council to community groups (Report No. 24/263 refers).
In February 2025 an application process was launched and there have since been three rounds of applications with minibuses awarded to successful applicants in March, July, September, and December 2025.
Twelve buses have been awarded to 12 successful groups including:
- The Royal Voluntary Service
- Mantalk
- Perthshire Welfare Society
- Your North Muirton
- Fossoway Community Development Trust
- Coupar Angus Community Transport Group
- Crieff Juniors Football Club
- 1st Kinross Boys Brigade and Girls Association
- The Mailler & Whitelaw Trust
- 54th Perthshire (Auchterarder) Scout Group
- Perth Sea Cadets
- People With a Mission Ministries
Thirty-six community groups applied to the scheme. 42% of applicants were from Perth City with 58% from wards outside of Perth City. 42% of successful applicants are groups based in Perth City, with 58% of successful applicants based in other wards.
The project has seen collaborative working between various teams including Community Learning and Development, Fleet, and the Public Transport Team. Building on feedback, officers were also supported in later rounds by Elected Members who provided feedback on applications in their wards.
The project was also supported by the Community Transport Association (CTA). Three information evenings were held in partnership with the CTA for prospective applicants to find out more about community minibus ownership. The CTA also prepared a 'Before You Start' guide for PKC to publish on our website. All successful applicants have been put in touch with a CTA advisor.
Successful groups have been asked to provide feedback at three- and six-months post-handover.
Once all feedback has been submitted, it will be summarised and circulated in July/August 2026.
No additional surplus minibuses are expected in 2026/27, however, the process which has been established can be used when Fleet identify any future vehicles suitable for community groups.
