‘Sustainable Transport for All’ – CTA’s Manifesto for Scotland’s Local Elections

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Scotland goes to the polls on 5 May to choose 1,227 Elected Members in 32 local authorities. These fast-approaching local elections are an important opportunity to review and renew the essential relationship between Community Transport and local government.

Local government is a key partner for the Community Transport sector. Many operators receive critical financial support from their local authority. Many rely on council grant funding or are commissioned to deliver local services.

In partnership with our members across Scotland, we’ve developed CTA’s manifesto for Scotland’s local elections – ‘Sustainable Transport for All’ – which sets our priorities for local councillors.

Our manifesto

Our manifesto emphasises the Community Transport sector’s commitment to accessibility, inclusivity and sustainability and explains how we can help local authorities to recover from COVID-19, tackle inequality and deliver net zero.

‘Sustainable Transport for All’ calls for local candidates and their parties to commit to:

• Protect funding for local Community Transport schemes
• Collaborate with Community Transport to deliver net zero
• Invest in transport to health & social care
• Build sustainable communities
• Reform procurement and commissioning

Download CTA’s Scottish local elections manifesto here.

Our campaign

Today, with just under two months until polling day, we’re launching a campaign to engage and influence as many candidates, councillors and parties as possible. We’re asking them to show their support for Community Transport and help us deliver sustainable transport for all. This is our chance to make a difference and secure our sector’s future.

But we can’t do this without you. We’re asking CTA members across Scotland to share our manifesto far and wide to help spread the word. Here’s how you can help our campaign:

• Contact your local candidates

Please share our manifesto with the candidates standing for election or re-election in your local area. Ask them to ensure their party’s local manifesto is committed to working with Community Transport and giving our sector the support it needs – and deserves.

• Ask your local candidates to show their support

Ask your local candidates to show their support for Community Transport by sharing our #CTpledge on social media. For example:

I believe in sustainable transport for all. That’s why I’m pledging to invest in #CommunityTransport to help [#Glasgow / #Stirling / #Highland / etc] recover from #COVID19, tackle inequality & deliver #netzero if elected on 5 May

@CTAUK1’s #CTpledge: bit.ly/3HvJnVJ

• Share with your community

Please share our manifesto with your clients and users, staff and volunteers, partners, funders and other stakeholders to let them know what we’re calling for and to give them a chance to add their voice to our campaign.

• Show your support on social media

Please show your support for our manifesto on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other social media channels to let your candidates and other voters know that Community Transport matters to you. For example:

I believe in sustainable transport for all. I’m asking my local councillors elected on 5 May to invest in #CommunityTransport to help [#Glasgow / #Stirling / #Highland / etc] recover from #COVID19, tackle inequality & deliver #netzero

@CTAUK1’s #CTmanifesto: bit.ly/3HvJnVJ

• Attend your local hustings

Attending a hustings event – whether online or in-person – is a great way to interact with your local candidates and learn more about what they stand for. Ask them a question about local transport needs, tell them how Community Transport can help and let them know about our manifesto.

Any questions?

If you’ve any questions about our manifesto, or any ideas for our campaign ahead of Scotland’s local elections, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me via david.kelly@ctauk.org.

Download CTA’s Scottish local elections manifesto here.