THE future of a scheme which provides mobility buggies for disabled shoppers is again in doubt.

Colchester Council is to launch a fresh public consultation on its funding to the Shopmobility service.

The authority previously withdrew its annual grant to the scheme last year.

But it reinstated it when it emerged bosses had failed to carry out an assessment of the impact the move would have on disabled people, required under equal opportunities legislation.

Now, the grant is under review again as the authority looks to make savings, and users of the service are being asked to make their views known.

One of the concerns is that the volunteer-run scheme, which the council is the main contributor to, is not helping enough people in return for its £23,000-a-year funding.

The cash goes towards a single paid member of staff and overheads for its Manor Road office.

Tina Dopson, councillor responsible for performance and partnerships, said: “A review of our current financial commitments is essential to ensure we meet all of our priorities.

“I would encourage service-users to complete the questionnaire as their views will be vital in helping us to reach a decision concerning future funding.”

The council will also be taking into account a consultation carried out with users of Shopmobility in September last year.

But it wants the views of new users as well, as the service has recently expanded its remit.

It recently opened a base at Lion Walk Shopping Centre, to make it easier for disabled people travelling by public transport to pick up one of the mobility scooters to use in town.

The new site is running alongside its existing base, in Manor Road, near the St Mary’s car park.

Lion Walk Shopping Centre manager Paul Bentham said the additional outlet, which is provided free of charge, was proving popular.

He added: “It is certainly extremely busy.

“They only open two days a week, because they need more volunteers, but already demand is such that they know they need to open three or four days a week.

“If they can no longer keep going, because grants are cut, that will be a real loss to people who aren’t mobile and rely on the service to do their shopping.”

The public consultation started on Monday and will run for 12 weeks, finishing on Friday March 4. Members’ comments and opinions will be gathered by Shopmobility through a questionnaire.

Representatives from Shopmobility were unavailable to comment.