Colchester North Scouts have their own 17 seater Ford minibus. The primary purpose is to help facilitate and support our District Scout Groups and Explorers with their outdoor activities and visits. The minibus is also available to be hired by other organisations.
For scout group hirers, drivers must be 25 or over, be a member of the Scout Association and hold D1 on their driving license. The District holds the necessary Section 19 minibus permit covering all Colchester North District wide hires. For all other third party hirers, drivers must be 25 or over, hold D1 on their driving license, be acceptable as responsible persons to the District and have some experience of driving a minibus (such as an Essex County Council Minibus Driving Competency certificate). Such third party hires are at the sole discretion of the District. Third party hirers are also responsible, where necessary, for providing their own Section 19 minibus permit.
For scouting leaders that have not driven a minibus before a driving familiarisation session is required to gain some experience of the size of the vehicle before it is driven for the first time with young people. The minibus can carry up to 14 young people in the back, along with three leader seats in the front.
The minibus can be booked by visiting the dedicated page on the Legacy Explorers site – www.legacyexplorers.group/minibus
The hire rates are as follows:
CNDS Scout Groups/Explorers/Network – Evening (17:00 till 00:00) £20 / Day £40
Other Scout Groups/Not for profit youth organisations – Evening (17:00 till 00:00) £25 / Day £50
All Other groups – Evening (17:00 till 00:00) £30 / Day £60
In each case the hiring group is responsible for:
- Fuel used (the vehicle is supplied with a full tank and must be returned with a full tank). For cost planning purposes work on 6 miles per litre. If fuel is not replaced it will be charged to the hiring group at cost plus 10%, plus a £5 administration charge
- All toll/congestion charges incurred during hire
- All speeding and parking tickets acquired during the hire
- Any insurance excess in the event of a claim being made (currently £150, but subject to change)
The minibus also has a towing hook, but the hirer is responsible for ensuring that any trailer attached is fully operational, is road worthy and the driver has the correct license to tow a trailer.
Our minibus signage has kindly been sponsored by Stour Valley Cycles who provide service packages and repairs for all types of bicycles.