Council scheme to help Ukrainian refugees with local transport is agreed – if external cash can be found

A move to help Ukrainians who fled the war in their country with local transport has been agreed – but only if external funding can be found.

Highland Council has given the green-light to developing a scheme to help the displaced persons get around for work and to help them settle in the region.

So the key thing is cash because the council is currently faced with a £50 million deficit over the next two years and has already sought additional cash from London and Edinburgh.

Related Story: Highland Council convener praises for efforts to help refugees from Ukraine

There are around 400 Ukrainian refugees in the Highlands which already led the council to seek extra funding from the Scottish Government.

Having applied for further funding from Scottish or UK governments “to bring the proposed transport scheme to fruition” there could be a wait for those needing help.

But in the meantime preliminary work will be undertaken to establish the operational details of how eligible individuals will apply for and access the transport scheme.

The chairman of the economy and infrastructure committee Councillor Ken Gowans said those who sought sanctuary deserve the best chance to settle-in locally.

He said: “Today’s agreement follows a successful motion to full Council in September 2022 which sought to investigate the feasibility and cost of offering a transport scheme to those now residing in Highland who have been affected by the crisis in Ukraine.”

“Core funding of £1.5 million has been provided to Highland Council for the support and resettlement of Ukrainian displaced persons within the region, with further funding being sought from Scottish or UK governments to bring the proposed transport scheme to fruition.

“Provided we can secure the necessary funding to progress and develop the proposed transport assistance scheme for Ukrainian Displaced Persons, I hope that this will enable those who have sought sanctuary here in the Highlands to become more settled and to embed themselves within the wider Highland community through more accessible transport.”

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