Council halts volunteering drivers’ work

DOZENS of volunteer drivers who take lookedafter children to school and contact visits with parents have been suspended by Bridgend council.

It is understood the service, which has been running for around 20 years and also helps older people, was halted out of the blue by council chiefs over concerns about the extent of the insurance cover held by the drivers.

One of the drivers – who are not paid but can claim expenses – said all drivers have fully comprehensive insurance and business insurance, which clearly covers them for voluntary work.

The retired man, who does not wish to be named, said these individual policies were previously deemed sufficient, but now the council is looking into establishing block insurance, and the service has been suspended until it can be arranged.

“I have been doing it for almost seven years and it’s very rewarding,” said the driver, who is one of a team of around 18 in the Bridgend town area.

There are other teams across the county borough.

The driver added: “A lot of the children see us as an uncle figure – it’s a bit of normality as they can see us every day.

“The council say they are looking at it, but for how long?

“It just beggars belief. It’s not a nice situation. We just want to get back to work.”

A Bridgend County Borough Council spokesman said: “We are currently looking into supporting the volunteer drivers by providing improved insurance cover.

“As a result, the service has been paused temporarily, but we have made alternative arrangements to transport the lookedafter children and older people who use the service.”