3 December 1998

Safer Minibuses - Thanks to Lottery Money!

Transport minister Glenda Jackson today announced The National Lottery Charities Board’s scheme to give charities and community groups grants to cover the costs of making their minibuses meet the latest safety regulations.

At her speech to the Community Transport Association’s annual conference in Telford, Glenda Jackson said: "I welcome this imaginative and much needed scheme. It is a very good use of money raised by the Lottery. There is now an opportunity for voluntary and community groups who use minibuses to ensure that their vehicles are as safe as possible. I congratulate the Charities Board on putting together this worthwhile programme and I hope all eligible groups apply for this money."

Groups can apply for grants up to a value of £5,000 to get their vehicles through the annual MOT test which now require minibuses to meet new seat strengths and seat belt fittings regulations.

"We expect costs to be between £500 and £1,000 for each minibus," said Paul Hensby, Director of Communications at the National Lottery Charities Board. "Any group which runs one or more minibuses can apply. Providing the group is set up for charitable purposes, and if the application demonstrates value for money, we will fund the safety work.

To apply, groups have to fill in the Board’s simple Small grant scheme form and enclose some additional information. In Scotland and the East Midlands, this application form has been replaced by the Awards for All application form.

"The Board wants as many applications as possible from eligible groups. There is no limit to the budget we have set aside for this scheme. How can we justify not giving money to a group which wants the people it carries in its minibuses to be as safe as possible? However, we will want applicants to prove that their application is honest and based on estimates from approved garages and dealers," said Paul Hensby.

The Charities Board has so far given £4.3 million to charities to buy minibuses or make them accessible to disabled users.

Groups can get application forms by phoning 0345 458 458 in England and Northern Ireland, 0645 700 777 in Scotland, and 0345 273 273 in Wales.

For any further media enquiries please contact either Paul Hensby 0171-747 5229 or Martin Jones, Community Transport Association 0374 705 696

Notes for editors

1. The National Lottery Charities Board distributes money raised by the Lottery to charities and voluntary and community groups. The Board gives grants to help meet the needs of those at greatest disadvantage in society and to improve the quality of life in the community.
2. The Charities Board has awarded over £940 million to more than 17,000 organisations since 1995.