Sutherland chair, Councillor Richard Gale, said: “We are aware of the ongoing transport issues across Sutherland and the impact this can have on families when accessing key services and opportunities. We are keen to find out what that level of impact is and gain valuable insights from our local community members so we can better address these challenges.

“Approving the ringfencing of funding at today’s meeting means that we will be in a better position to make progress on a potential transport project based on the feedback we receive during the consultation with local stakeholders.”

A consultation exploring a county-wide transport project in the area is ongoing involving local stakeholders including community councils, development trusts, community transport groups and commercial operators.

Multiple surveys in the past have highlighted that transport is a problem for many communities and can affect access to healthcare, after school activities, employment and more.

Community Regeneration Funding is an umbrella term for accessible funding streams which comprise of the Highland Coastal Communities Fund and the Place Based Investment Programme.
Area committees are awarded devolved allocations according to approved formulae and decision making on which projects should receive funding sits with elected Members.

At the meeting, Sutherland Members also approved £50k of Community Regeneration Funding towards a project to extend the existing Historylinks Museum in Dornoch. The Historylinks Museum project also received a further £50k from the Dornoch Common Good Fund at the same meeting.

Earlier this year, £698.6k worth of Community Regeneration Funding bids aimed at supporting economic regeneration and sustainable development across the area were approved.