Focus Spring 2010

Focus

STIRLING

ur Fill in o ion nicat Commu ey Surv could and you 0! win £5

Election fever

for everyone living in the Stirling Council area

Spring 2010

preparing for polling day

Open for business Confidence in our area’s economy

Spring forward!

Our walk leaders show the way

...win a year’s free membership for 2

s y a d n o M g Motivatin at St Modan’s

delivering quality services 0845 277 7000 stirling.gov.uk

I have the privilege of being Returning Officer for the Stirling constituency, and I’m looking forward to visiting polling stations across the whole of our area to make sure we are delivering the best possible service for local electors.

Elsewhere in this issue there are lots of ideas about things to do now that spring is – hopefully – finally arriving, a look at how Stirling is continuing to communicate business confidence despite the tough economic circumstances, 1st birthday celebrations at the very popular Peak at Stirling’s Sports Village, and much more.

For access to all Stirling Council services phone the contact centre on:

& 0845 277 7000 text: 07717 990 001 www.stirling.gov.uk 8 To:

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Bob Jack

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Chief Executive

focus facts Stirling Focus is published by Stirling Council and delivered by the Royal Mail’s Door to Door service. This issue cost approx 21p per copy to print and distribute.

Copyright © Stirling Council 2010. No article or photograph in this magazine may be reproduced without the consent of Stirling Council. Details are correct at the time of going to press.

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Enjoy Focus.

Chief Executive, Stirling Council

Contact us

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As Stirling Focus goes to print we don’t yet know the date for the General Election. However the Council’s Elections Team has been preparing for some time behind the scenes to be ready for the big day. It’s our responsibility to make sure the election runs as smoothly and efficiently as possible in the Stirling area. The story on page 19 has information about how to make sure you’re registered to vote and some reminders about postal votes. There will be lots more information on our website.

[

STIRLING FOCUS

HELLO

Tel 01786 443360 email stirlingfocus@stirling. gov.uk or write to Stirling Focus, Communications and Marketing, Old Viewforth, Stirling FK8 2ET.

If you need this information in large print, Braille, audio or in another language please contact 0845 277 7000 and quote reference number 9380.

0845 277 7000 0845 277 7000 0845 277 7000

Read and Recycle

Stirling Focus was ‘Highly Commended’ in the Best Customer Magazine category of the Scottish Magazine Awards 2009.

0845 277 7000

spring 2010

This spring ten recycling points across the city Regulars

centre will give residents new opportunities to recycle.

2 What’s on

(see p7.)

4 Competition 29 Your councillors

Contents

1

6 Frankie and Anna’s recycling advice

30

15

23

Let’s communicate

Delicious reasons to Buy Local

Please fill in our survey and let us know how Stirling Council can communicate better with local people.

21

Spelling out Stirling’s Earth Hour message

Exhibiting church records in your community

Feature Stories 5 Walk the Walk

25 Direct debit: we’ll help you get signed up

8 Talking about Telecare 10 Revitalising Riverside Primary School 12 Hooked on Fishing 14 Business Confidence 16 The Gift of Life: Organ Donation

Cover photo: St. Modan’s High School pupils have a ball trying new activities on Monday afternoons.

See story on page 11.

19 Preparing for the General Election 20 The Climate’s Right for Change 22 Community Payback

A year of Peak performance for Michael (see page 30)

STIRLING FOCUS 2

✽ ✽

✽ What’sOn A selection of attractions in the Stirling Council area.

For full details visit www.stirling.gov.uk/whatson

ALBERT HALLS

Box Office 01786 473544 www.stirling.gov.uk/alberthalls Wed 24 March, 2.30 pm

We’ll Meet Again: “Hits from the Blitz” Relive the spirit of the Forties with great sing-along tunes. £12/£10 concession

Tue 30 March, 7.30 pm

That’ll Be The Day The UK’s most successful touring rock ‘n’ roll production. Classic gold hits from the 50’s to the 70’s. £19.50 Wed 31 March, 7.30 pm

Solid Gold Country Legends Voted Best Event (British Country Music Awards) Old and new country hits from Hank, Patsy, Willie, Tammy, Dolly and Shania, to name just a few. £16.00 Thur 1 April, 7.30 pm

Magic, A Kind of Queen Proudly performing the music of Queen, now with a bigger line-up and a massive new sound. £14/£12.50 Thur 8 April, 7.30 pm We’ll Meet Again

Sun 28 March, 12 noon – 4pm

Stirling Wedding Show The best ideas for your big day.

Catwalk shows at 1.30pm and 3.30pm. £5/£4 in advance Mon 29 March, 7.30 pm

An Evening with Derek Acorah Derek is undoubtedly the UK’s No.1 Spirit Medium.

Experimental/ investigational - there are no guaranteed or certain results, and the show is for amusement and entertainment. £17.50

stival The Blend roots music fe 25-28 March

Jim Davidson – If I Ruled the World The King of Comedy is back with his most outrageous show yet. Over 18’s only. £19.50 Fri 9 April, 7.30 pm

Roy Orbison & The Beatles Live in Concert Barry Steele, one of the world’s most respected Roy Orbison acts, joins The Complete Beatles on their joint live concert tour. £15.00 Saturday 10 April, 7 pm

Jim Davidson

Sunday 18 April, 7.30 pm

Strathcarron Singers Annual Grand Gala Charity Concert In aid of Strathcarron Hospice. Concert Popular music with something for everybody. All proceeds go directly to the Hospice. £10 Friday 23 April, 7.30 pm

MacFloyd

Friday 30 April, 7.30 pm

Mark Beaumont The Man who Cycled the World. Mark shares his adventures through images, footage and stories from the road. £12.50 Sunday 9 May, 7.30 pm

Stirling Orchestra Music for a Summer Evening. VaughanWilliams – Overture: The Wasps; Glazunov – The Seasons; Anaturyan – Trumpet Concerto. £9/£7/£2 accompanied schoolchildren Friday 14 May, 7.30 pm

An Evening of Rock n’ Roll with Showaddywaddy The legendary band deliver rock ‘n’ roll at its best with a real feel-good factor! £17.50

W3L Wrestling, Doors 6.30pm, First Bell 7.00pm W3L Heavyweight Champion Mike Musso, W3L Tag Team Champions The Disco Biscuits, England’s David Paris and more return for this “7 Deadly Sins” tournament. £12/£10 child/£35 family of four

✽

Performing a mix of Floyd classics, from the early material through to more recent sounds. £14/£12

Mark Beaumont

spring 2010 Saturday 15 May

STIRLING SMITH ART GALLERY AND MUSEUM

Stirling Provincial Mod Children’s competition starts at 9am, with ceilidh in the evening. Ticket details to be confirmed.

Wednesday 26 May, 7.30 pm

Dumbarton Road, Stirling, FK8 2RQ To book call 01786 471 917 www.smithartgallery.demon.co.uk

Coronation Street’s Legendary Jim McDonald starring in Des Dillon’s Blue Hen

Changing the World for Tomorrow

Dillon`s dark comedy is the moving story of two men out of work and out of patience in the roughest scheme in Coatbridge. £14/£12 Friday 28 May, 7.30 pm

All Our Yesterdays 2 From the days of the Music Hall through the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s to the beautiful harmonies of the 1970’s. £12/£10 concession

Tolbooth Box Office 01786 27 4000 www.stirling.gov.uk/tolbooth Thu 8 Apr, 8pm

Fiddlers’ Bid Four of Shetland’s most dynamic fiddlers, a rhythm section, and one of Scotland’s finest clarsach players.

Fri 16 Apr, 8pm

Salsa Celtica Sensational synthesis of Scottish and Irish traditional music with a taste of salsa.

Leb Bib

Thu 22 Apr, 8pm

Led Bib A young East London 5-piece combining the passion of a rock outfit with the ability of trained jazz musicians.

Sun 21 March, 3 pm

Aidan O’Rourke

Fri 30 Apr, 8pm

Kirstie Gray talks on the work of the Girlguiding movement.

Patsy Reid – Bridging The Gap

Mon 24 March, 7 pm

The youngest-ever winner of the prestigious Glenfiddich Fiddle Championship, Patsy performs with Breabach.

Thu 6 May, 8pm

followed by a talk by Collections Manager Michael McGinnes on his favourite Stirling Smith objects.

Admission free.

Sat 27 March, 11 am – 3 pm

Karen Mathieson Capercaillie’s Karen, with her band, performs material from her forthcoming album and more.

Thu 13 May, 8pm

The An Tobar Sessions Aidan O’Rourke’s An Tobar Band and The Dave Milligan Trio Two of Scotland’s most exciting and acclaimed composers and musicians present a stunning concert.

Thu 20 May, 8pm

Breabach

Friends of the Smith AGM,

✽

Foot-stomping reels and heart-warming songs – a household name on the folk and roots music scene.

Sat 22 May, 8pm

Michael Marra & Robert McFall’s Chamber A dozen or so of Marra’s songs, and instrumental numbers from across the world.

Valuation Day Have your antiques valued by experts from Bonhams and help raise funds for the Friends of the Smith. £5 for three items.

27 March – 30 May

Art and Mental Health An exhibition from Artspace. (Gallery 1).

Monday 29 March, 7.30 pm

Carol Stobbie – Scottish Storytelling A Friends of the Smith lecture. £3 (includes tea/coffee) 8 May – 19 September

Building Scotland A travelling exhibition from Historic Scotland on Scotland’s traditional building materials.

8 May – 19 September

A Collection of Pots

Thu 3 Jun, 8pm

Ceramics from the Stirling Smith collection.

‘A Drunk Man Looks at a Thistle’

5 June – 14 September

A poem by Hugh MacDiarmid performed by the Red Note Ensemble.

Music by Bill Sweeney, conducted by Jessica Cottis.

A night of wild musical and literary invention.

Galway in Stirling Photographs by June Talbot of the residents of Dominick Street, Galway.

At the same time, the Men of Bannockburn exhibit is on show in Galway Museum.

3

STIRLING FOCUS

✽ ✽

✽ What’sOn✽ A selection of attractions in the Stirling Council area.

For full details visit www.stirling.gov.uk/whatson

Active Stirling

Soccer Centres

Sunday 18 April, 10 am – 3 pm

Football daft?

Giving 5 - 12 year olds the chance to practice passing, control, dribbling and shooting.

Then use your new skills in games at every session.

Go Forth and Clean Up

Enjoy learning and playing the beautiful game at venues including Forthbank, Bridge of Alan, Cambusbarron, Dunblane and Balfron.

4

Mini Kickers This SFA/ Active Stirling programme for 3 to 4 year olds aims to help develop a child’s ability to perform basic movements, and there are things to learn about sharing, teamwork, rules and behaviour.

Win membership of

for 2 for a year!

Worth over £800!

Midnight Leagues & Street Football Young people keen for more football can take part in the SFA/Active Stirling Midnight Leagues and Street Football programme, as well as all kinds of sporting opportunities in primary and high schools.

For information please contact Graeme Henderson on hendersongr@ activestirling.org.uk or 01786 432323.

To celebrate the Peak’s anniversary, Active Stirling are giving away a year’s free Active Living Silver Membership. To enter, just answer this question:

Fancy becoming a coach yourself? If you are over 16 or are involved in a football club and are interested in club development, please contact Scott Kinross on kinrosss@activestirling.org. uk or 01786 432323.

When did the Peak first open?

Countryside

The draw will take place on 12 April.

Booking is essential for most events.

Phone 01786 442971 during office hours (Mon to Fri, 9am – 5pm). If you have booked a place and can’t make it, please call to cancel so your place can be given to someone else.

Answer: Name: Address:

Tel no:

Send your answer to: The Peak Competition, Communications and Marketing, Old Viewforth, Stirling FK8 2ET or email stirlingfocus@stirling.gov.uk See www.stirling.gov.uk/stirlingfocus for competition rules.

Children are welcome for all our events, but must be supervised by an adult at all times.

Sat 10 April, 10 am – 3pm

Killearn Biodiversity Action Day Tackle the worst of the paths in Killearn Glen. Fun activities for children.

Help spring clean the fisheries down on the Forth. Wellies and clothes for painting, please!

Friday 14 May, 8.30 pm start

Meet a Newt Night, Plean Country Park Free for the whole family. Search for newts and water creatures. You’ll need a torch, wellies and a pond net if you have one. Places limited – booking essential.

Saturday 22 May, 1.30 – 4.00 pm

Battle for the Bluebells, Balquhidderock Wood Celebrate Scottish Biodiversity Week by helping remove the Himalayan Balsam that’s threatening the native bluebells.

Free, but advanced booking essential.

Enjoying life

in Stirling Stirling Council’s cultural strategy was launched earlier this spring.

It sets out how we are encouraging everyone to enjoy life in Stirling.

There will be all kinds of events this year to celebrate Stirling’s rich cultural life – historical walks, music, art, drama, exhibitions, talks and lots more.

Come along, get involved, and be inspired! Find out more at www.stirling.gov.uk/ enjoyinglifeinstirling

Spring 2010

5

WALKING IS WONDERFUL: Raija and Tricia lead the way

Put a spring in your step!

Raploch families

join in

Five minutes with Raija Darley and Tricia Cumming, part time Walk Co-ordinators, Active Stirling Hi Raija and Tricia. Can you explain what your job is?

We organise walks throughout Stirling, encouraging people to start walking regularly in their local area.

Can walking really make a difference to someone’s life?

It can completely change your life.

Walking at any pace is proven to benefit your health. The more you walk, the better you feel. Having the support of a group to walk with is great, too.

Does it matter if you haven’t been doing exercise before?

Our walks are aimed at people who have not been physically active for a while and are looking for a starting point. They are beginner walks, intended for people to enjoy a bit of fresh air with others.

Stepping out: Walking at pace is good for you

any

What do you enjoy about your job and what are the challenges?

Meeting people and hearing how the walking groups have changed their lives is inspiring. Sometimes it’s a challenge to encourage people to come on their first walk with us, as it’s never easy to try something new.

However, once somebody joins a walk, they usually return as it’s such a great experience.

For more information about any of the walks, starting walks within your organisation or becoming a volunteer walk leader, please contact: Tricia Cumming on 01786 432323 07717544773 email cummingp@ activestirling.org.uk or Raija Darley on 01786 432323, 07818 580 028 email darleyr@ activestirling.org.uk For details of all walks visit www. activestirling.org.uk/walk_about_ stirling.htm

e short The long or th ose of it - you cho Active Stirling, as part of the Stirling Walking Network partnership, is creating new short walks in communities throughout Stirling. They are also supporting any groups who would like to start their own walks in their community, and can provide training for volunteer walk leaders.

If longer walks are more your thing, the Walk Forward programme could be for you. Walk Forward’s community-based walks start at 10.30 am every second Tuesday, and are for fitter walkers who can walk for 2 hours (approx. 8- 10KM) at a good pace. Walks cost £2, and you need to pre-register if you are new to the group (please contact Tricia for more details).

Before starting Walk Forward you’ll need a Walking Card. Cards cost £20 and entitle you to ten walks, which can be taken any time during your 12 months. Walking Cards are available from:• Wolfcraig 3rd Floor, Wolfcraig, 1 Dumbarton Road, Stirling, FK8 2LQ Tel: 01786 432323 Forthbank, Springkerse, Stirling, FK7 7UJ. Tel 01786 448308

STIRLING FOCUS 6 Better services

New Waste Lorries

one of the new fleet in action

T

hree new side-loading waste collection lorries are taking to Stirling area streets to begin replacing the existing ageing fleet which is coming to the end of its economic life. Another four new lorries are planned soon.

The new vehicles work by loading the bins at the side of the lorry rather than the front or rear. As the waste container becomes full it will be exchanged for a new one at set points along the route, so the collection team won’t have to return to the waste transfer station outside Stirling to empty.

The system will reduce transport costs and help further improve recycling and waste collection services.

GREY OR BROWN BIN WEEK? The pull-out-and-keep 2010 recycling and waste calendar included in the last edition of Focus is a handy reminder of whether it’s a grey bin or brown bin week.

If you didn’t receive a calendar or have mislaid it, extra copies are available. Please let us know if you would like an urban or rural version. (If you’re not sure which route your home is on, just enter your postcode at www.stirling.gov.uk/ my/bins or give us a ring on 0845 277 7000 to check.) Or download and print off a calendar at www.stirling.gov.uk/focus

le on

The calendars are availab

the Stirling Council website .

ing l c y c e r g n i r e v i Del advice on your doorstep

Recycling our household waste to

prevent it being sent to landfill is essential to protect the environment - and we need to do more of it.

Stirling Council is currently recycling and composting 45% of our waste, and, as we continue to strive towards a Zero Waste Scotland, we’re working with local people to meet our next target: 50% recycling and composting by 2011.

Recycling Promotions Officers Anna Pajaczkowska and Frankie McCallum are encouraging everyone to recycle as much as possible using the blue box and food waste caddy kerbside recycling service.

Anna explains,“ Our job is to promote the recycling service and we will frequently be visiting areas where we have identified poor participation. Usually it only takes a chat on the doorstep to find out what the difficulty has been and put it right.

“There are, unfortunately, a few households where people show a lack of interest in the system and claim that they don’t have time to recycle or can’t be bothered. But the consequences of not recycling are both financial and environmental, and affect the Stirling area’s recycling rate for all of us.

“There is legislation - the Environmental Protection Act

spring 2010

ll be

City centre residents wi

Food waste collections are coming to Stirling’s

receiving more info soon.

rural areas.

CITY CENTRE RECYCLING This spring ten recycling ‘bring’ points will be available at central locations offering city centre residents new opportunities to recycle.

The sites have been arranged in clusters to cover city centre properties:

• Municipal Buildings

(for King Street, Baker Street, Spittal Street and Bank Street)

• Baker Street Gardens

(for King Street, Baker Street, Spittal Street and Bank Street)

• Spittal Street

Frankie and anna: “we’re here to help sort out any recycling problems”

• Dalgleish Court Car Park

1990 – that allows councils to issue fixed penalties and summary convictions if local people do not recycle. We hope it won’t go that far, and that with our help everyone will recycle as much as possible. After our first visit we’ll come back again later on to make sure everything’s going OK.” “We do send out letters and there’s lots of information on the Council’s website,” says Frankie, “but it’s good to get out and meet our customers and be able to answer their questions personally.”

Rural food waste collections Anna and Frankie are also distributing food waste caddies as the weekly food waste collection service is rolled out to Stirling’s rural areas. Around 24,000 urban households were eligible to receive a caddy by the end of last year, and all rural households should have access to the service this year.

The caddies have a lockable lid to prevent any spills, and are put out with the blue box every week for collection.

(for King Street, Baker Street, Spittal Street and Bank Street) (for King Street, Baker Street, Spittal Street and Bank Street)

• Municipal Court, Barnton Street

(for Barnton Street, Viewfield Street and Viewfield Place) • Maxwell Place (for Barnton Street, Viewfield Street and Viewfield Place)

•

The Thistles, Murray Place (for Murray Place, Port Street and King Street)

• Cameronian Street

(for Cameronian Street, Upper Craigs, Wellgreen Place, Port Street)

•

Wellgreen NCP (for Port Street, Upper Craigs and Wellgreen Place)

• Corner of Upper Bridge Street and Queen

Street (for Queen Street and Tannery Lane).

www.stirling.gov.uk/waste THANK YOU FOR RECYCLING. THESE MATERIALS GO IN YOUR blue box:

• paper • glass • cans and aerosols • plastic bottles (squashed) • plastic carrier bags • clean foil • clean textiles and shoes • Tetra Pak food and drink cartons • household batteries • small electrical appliances • food waste – (inside your food caddy)

new d: handy ourhoo in the neighbr city centre residents points fo recycling

These points can be used to recycle: green and brown glass • clear glass • food and drinks cans • paper • plastic bottles (squashed) • drink cartons, for example Tetra Pak

7

STIRLING FOCUS

Service Advisers are trained to deal with all kinds of situations.

8 better services

Our Customer

T

LE PEOPLE

R VULNERAB

D SUPPORT FO

E AN REASSURANC

Talking about Telecare

elecare uses communication technology to give health and social support to people with disabilities and long-term conditions so they can live as independently and safely as possible in their own homes.

The community alarm system (known as the Mobile Emergency Care Service or MECS) is one example of Telecare. It includes a pendant or wrist button which, when pressed, sends an alert to the Council’s Contact Centre. Similar equipment can sense risks like smoke, gas and falls, and automatically alert the Contact Centre team.

“If you’re a Telecare user one

“If something happens a

Telecare user can be

in touch with us immediately.”

of our Customer Service Advisers can talk to you via a MECS unit installed in your home,” says Customer Service Development Manager Alan Whisker.

“If something’s happened we can be in touch immediately. We hold written details (taken in advance) of the most appropriate person to respond to different types of alert. This might be a MECS responder, a nominated keyholder, a GP or the emergency services.

“Our Customer Service Advisers are trained to deal with all kinds of situations, and are always ready for calls, 24 hours a day, 365 days per year.”

Telecare technology may not be suitable for everyone, so it’s very important that a community care assessment is carried out to make sure that people can access the most appropriate technology and service for them. You can ask for an assessment by contacting Stirling Council’s Social Care Services on 01786 471177.

Working in partnership The Stirling Telecare Partnership involves a range of people from NHS Forth Valley, Stirling Council, the Fire Service and others. It oversees the progress and development of Telecare services in the Stirling area.

The Partnership is currently piloting the use of very specialist equipment with people with dementia, learning disabilities and other long-term conditions.

focus facts Stirling is the first council in Scotland to upgrade to the latest call monitoring and management system.

The new technology will be able to handle a much wider range of equipment in people’s homes, and in future it will also be able to respond to devices that people carry with them outside.

Brian Morrison (Session Clerk, Holy Rude) Audrey Birrell Spring 2010 (Session Clerk, Gargunnock Parish Church, Michael Geary (Archives Trainee) and Pam McNicol (Archivist)

The records give a vivid picture of local life in years gone by. The exhibitions this spring and summer will tell lots of great stories.

9

ns Archive Exhibitio VISIT YOUR LOCAL EXHIBITION St Ninian’s (Old) 6 – 7 March Dunblane Cathedral 13 – 21 March Logie Kirk (Causewayhead Hall) 10 – 12 April Gargunnock Parish Church 17 – 22 April Holy Rude 29 May – 13 June Killin Parish Church 19 – 27 June Aberfoyle Parish Church 7 – 14 July Balquhidder Church 6 – 12 August Holy Trinity Church 10 – 16 August Stirling Archives holds the Church of Scotland records courtesy of the Keeper of the Records of Scotland, through an agreement between the Church of Scotland and the Keeper.

The records of Holy Trinity Church are held by the Archives by private deposit. visit www.stirling.gov.uk/archives email archive@stirling.gov.uk Entrance to the Archives is free.

Uncovering stories from the past in the church records at Stirling’s Church of the Holy Rude.

Church records

A unique window on the past In this 450th anniversary year of the Scottish Reformation, Stirling Council Archives are celebrating their links with the Church of Scotland and the variety and richness of church records by creating a brand new series of exhibitions.

“Together we have researched the range of records held - everything from 400 year old kirk session discipline books to accounts and marriage and baptism registers,” Archivist Pam McNicol told Focus.

“Whether you are interested in the history of your church or your own family history, church records hold a wealth of fascinating detail. The records give us a vivid picture of life in years gone by - petty thefts from church funds, the church tower at St Ninians being blown up in the Jacobite rebellion, and even disapproving reports of saucy goings-ons between young people

of the parish!”

Audrey Birrell, Session Clerk of Gargunnock Parish Church, who has been part of the project, adds; “With poor relief, baptism, marriage and education historically all coming under the Church’s remit, the records of our local churches are in many ways records of each village or town.

I hope people will visit the exhibition in their local church and enjoy finding out more.”

STIRLING FOCUS

COMMUNITY LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT

10 better services

Learning for life

riverbank cafe colleagues with the healthy living award

Community learning and development in the areas surrounding Wallace High School were recently inspected by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education (HMIe).

Strengths mentioned include:

• Effective local partnership

nine level

new mezza

in Riverside

nursery

Revitalising Riverside Riverside Primary School is to be part of a new Scottish Governmentfunded school building project.

“This is great news for the children and community of Riverside,” says Head Teacher Eleanor Jess.

“The proposals for upgrading and developing learning and teaching areas will help create a 21st century environment and support and enhance our Curriculum for Excellence work.”

Improvements at Riverside

rbishment

fu Primary include re

and remodelling.

Improvements will include the refurbishment and remodelling of classrooms, shared spaces and the Autisim provision, as well as various energy efficiency measures including insulation, lighting and heating controls. It is proposed that the work will take two years, at an estimated cost of £3.6m.

working • Targeted engagement with learners with disabilities • Effective community groups and individuals • High levels of volunteering.

Areas for development include: • Better assess and respond to the learning needs of the community • More outcome-focussed planning • Better use of management information in decision-making.

Projects highlighted as good examples include: Choices in Care A training course for young people considering a career in the care sector.

Step into Learning A partnership project working with people with long-term mental illness.

Sunlite Café A voluntarily run and managed community café.

Quality Action Group A group of adults with learning disabilities who work to improve the lives of people with disabilities.

spring 2010

A chance to try out new things for free “It’s about doing something

ppy,

that makes you ha

with no pressure or exams.”

Monday Monday: The project has seen St Modan’s pupils take up all kinds of new activities.

Making the most of Mondays at St Modans!

Period 7 on a Monday. Sounds a drag? Not at St Modan’s High School, where Monday afternoons are anything but mundane.

Football, singing, fitness training, rugby, drama, spinning, orchestra, netball, science club … they’re all on offer at St Modan’s, making the first day of the week something to look forward to and enjoy.

“Every year, for four blocks of six weeks, we give the pupils a choice of activities to choose from for Period 7 on Mondays,” Graham Boyce, Principal School of Ambition, tells Focus.

“Everyone stays until 10 past 4, and there’s time to try out whatever it is you’ve always fancied having a go at. For some children that’s a sport or musical instrument, for others drama or singing. It’s all about doing something that makes you happy, with no pressure – and no exams.

“There can be quite a mix of agegroups, so the children make friends they may not have met otherwise, and the older ones often help coach the younger ones.

“Teachers are welcome to join in too. For example, one of our English teachers has joined the group that’s learning how to play guitar. I think it helps the young people and teachers see a different side of each other.

“We’re keen to build up children’s confidence and capacities. School isn’t all about learning subjects – it’s about growing into active, caring, responsible citizens. We believe our Monday afternoons are really helping to make that happen at St Modan’s.”

(left to right) Katie McCabe (S1), Steven Macleod (S2), Maria Glencross (S1), William Del Valle (S3), Ross Hunter (S1) and Hannah McQuilliam (S3).

Holiday dates 2010-11 Easter holiday Fri 2 April 2010 (Good Friday) Mon 5 April 2010 (Easter Monday) Tue 6 April - Fri 16 April 2010

Summer Local holiday Mon 3 May 2010 Staff development Tue 4 May 2010 last day of term Fri 25 June 2010

Autumn Pupils return 17 Aug 2010 Local holidays and development days Mon 6 Sep 2010 (except Balfron) Mon 27 Sep 2010 (Balfron Area)

October holiday Mon 11 - 15 Oct 2010

Winter Staff development days Mon 8 & Tues 9 Nov 2010

Christmas holiday Fri 24 Dec 2010 - Thurs 6 Jan 2011

better services / participaton and responsibility

11

STIRLING FOCUS BETTER SERVICES

12

A CORE PATHS PLAN Settlements and communities around the Stirling area are now surrounded and linked by 221 miles (355 km) of core paths.

“Between 2006 and 2008 the Countryside Team visited communities to talk with local people about developing a paths network,” explains Access Officer Penny Stoddard. “The response was fantastic, and the result is the newlyadopted Core Paths Plan, which lists and includes maps of all the paths.”

The network helps encourage everyone, including walkers, cyclists, horse riders, canoeists and people with disabilities, to enjoy and explore the countryside and urban routes.

“It will also give people more opportunity to leave the car at home and walk or cycle for short journeys,” adds Penny.

The Plan, required by the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, covers the area within the Stirling Council area but outside the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.

You can read the Core Paths Plan online at www. stirling.gov.uk/corepaths A copy is available to view at Stirling Council’s Viewforth headquarters, and copies are also available for sale. To find out more please tel 0845 277 7000.

Hooked on Whether you’re the bee’s knees with a bait or an amateur at the angling, the Stirling area offers some great fishing, and this is just the time of year to enjoy it.

Stirling Council owns the fishing rights for salmon and sea trout on the River Forth between Cambuskenneth and Craigforth, and on two separate stretches of the Teith at Callander.

“Both have been described as ‘hidden gems’,” says Fisheries Officer David Jones, “and we want to encourage local people and visitors to enjoy this fantastic fishing in our area by keeping permit prices affordable.

“The Forth and Teith allow fly fishing, spinning and bait fishing, and there are excellent facilities. For disabled anglers platforms are erected on the Forth at Craigforth and on the Teith at the Geisher Pool on the outskirts of Callander.”

A leaflet with full details and permit prices is available from Council offices.

spring 2010

The Forth and Teith are ‘gems.’ for anyone who loves fishing

fishing On the teith at callander

Fishing first Our Fishery Service was the first in the UK to promote salmon conservation by issuing tags to anglers to limit the number of salmon that can be taken while still providing a full season of fishing. Last year anglers caught over 800 salmon on the Council’s fisheries, with almost 60% being returned safely to the water.

r ring! Have you sp is th rs o o td u It’s great o say on plans for open spaces.

Consultation coming soon.

• The salmon and sea trout season

began on 1 February and finishes on 31 October.

• The brown trout season begins on

15 March and finishes on 6 October.

• No Sunday fishing is permitted

on the Forth and Teith.

Keen angler sir ian botham officially opened the 2010 season on the banks of the teith in february.

STIRLING FOCUS 14

Stirling’s open for business

keith ewing, stirling business ambassador, has recently opened another outdoor clothing shop in the city

A bright business future for Keith Stirling’s dynamic team of Business Ambassadors are helping to communicate confidence nationally and internationally about the area’s economy and all it has to offer.

I’m delighted to spread the word about what a great place the Stirling area is to visit, enjoy and do business........

.

And no one illustrates this better than Stirling retailer Keith Ewing, who recently opened his second shop in the city’s King Street selling premier lifestyle fashion brands including Barbour, White Stuff, Joules and Oakley.

“Stirling is the gateway to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, Scotland’s first National Park. Our customers are drawn here by the world-class cycling, hill-walking, rambling, climbing and angling that’s right on the city’s doorstep,” says Keith.

“With the current financial situation this isn’t an easy time for anyone. But I’m delighted to spread the word about what a great place the Stirling area is to visit and enjoy – and what a great place it is to do business.”

Communicating confidence during tough times is a key strand of the new economic strategy for the Stirling area, “Open for Business”, which was launched in November. Find out more at www.stirling.gov.uk

Spring 2010

Watch this space

Andy says

Help us

I

t’s a challenge facing city and town centres across the country at the moment: how to keep shopping streets attractive and dynamic while a sizeable number of shops lie vacant.

“We decided to use the Friar Street/Baker Street project to experiment with window displays decorating empty shop fronts, and to add vibrancy with life-sized drawings of how the streets will look when the work is completed,” Andy told Focus.

“It’s something several cities around the UK have done, and it’s proved successful in helping make high streets look as good as they can in the economic downturn.

We’d love it if you could take a couple of minutes better (And it could win you £50 in debenhams vouchers to spend in the thistles shopping centre) Our residents survey tells us Focus is your preferred way of hearing from us. But we’re keen to know more about other ways you would like to hear from your Council – and how you prefer to get in touch with us, too. There are all kinds of new ways of communicating - Twitter, Facebook and SMS text messaging, for example. Please help us shape our communication to suit you. Use the space below to give us your comments and ideas.

“We’ve received many positive comments, and now we’re hoping to have similar displays throughout the city centre, beginning with King Street, to make sure Stirling is looking its best in time to welcome local people and visitors throughout the spring and summer months.

“In the meantime we’ll continue to take every opportunity to encourage new businesses to flourish here.”

focus facts Stirling’s Business Ambassadors have pledged to spread the word about all Stirling has to offer as a great place to live, work, study and visit:

• Graham’s Family Dairy • Norbord Ltd • Capita Life & Pensions • CA Models • Tradstocks • Outside Now • United Auctions • Ogilvie Group Ltd • Iona Crawford • Scotbeef Limited • Aurora Hotels & Resorts

15

to tell us how we can communicate with you

Thank you very much for taking part. Please send your form to Communication, Old Viewforth, Stirling, FK8 2ET or email stirlingfocus@stirling.gov.uk. All entries will be entered in the prize draw. See website for competition rules. The draw will take place on 12 April, 2010.

Name: Address:

Tel no:

sustainability

To come up with a solution Stirling’s City Centre Manager, Andy Kennedy, has been trying something new as part of the work now underway to improve Friar Street and Baker Street.

STIRLING FOCUS

By Dr Mark Worsley, NHS Forth Valley Over recent years there has been a steady increase in the number of patients on transplant waiting lists. And over the same period the supply of organs available for transplant has diminished slightly, meaning a widening gap between demand and supply.

16

Last year a Department of Health working group recommended aiming to increase the supply of available organs by 50% over 5 years. One strand of this is for hospitals to identify all potential donors among their dying patients – ‘making organ donation usual rather than unusual’.

Participation & responsibility

Sign up to save a life

Another strand would be to improve rates of consent for donation among the general population. At present 33% of the Scottish population are on the Organ Donation Register. We know that from dying patients, consent rates of 91% can be achieved among those who were on the register, compared with a consent rate of 56% from the general population.

Clearly, there is potential to improve the supply of donated organs if we can raise awareness and increase the number of Forth Valley residents who are on the register.

Text Donate 84118 or phone 0300 123 23 23 Find out about registering at www.organdonation.nhs.uk

Pamela’s Story Until she was 19 Stirling Council HR Policy Manager Pamela Forsyth had normal vision. But one day while at university she realised she couldn’t see the board clearly, and, assuming she needed glasses, went for an eye test. This indicated that there was something unusual, and Pamela was referred to hospital where she was diagnosed with an eye condition called kerataconis, or conical cornea.

explains Pamela. “For some people it can be corrected with glasses or specially fitted contact lenses. But for others, like me, a cornea transplant may be needed.

“You never know when it might be someone you love who needs a transplant to save their sight - or their life, so please think seriously about becoming an organ donor.”

“Kerataconis is a degenerative disorder of the eye, affecting about one in every thousand people,”

when now You never k

it

might be someone you love

“I had surgery which replaced my own cornea with a donor cornea. I’m very grateful that someone thought about being a donor and chose to sign the organ donation register. My eyesight has been saved because they did.

Need to brush up work skills?

Eik Call Marianne

60

on 01786 4323

ASPIRE to reach your potential

17 Advice officers receive their training certificates.

Financial inclusion:

fighting fuel poverty Fuel poverty happens when people spend more than 10% of the household’s available income on paying gas or electricity bills or feeding the meter. Living in fuel poverty can seriously affect health and wellbeing.

Stirling Council’s Advice Services and Housing Services have already helped local people claim over £1m

in benefit entitlement, helping ease the burden.

Further help on tackling fuel poverty is now available after a number of officers successfully completed a City and Guilds training course. For more information tel Advice Services 01786 442460; email advice@stirling.gov.uk

40 years of giving

SNBTS visit many surrounding areas A thank you from the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service including Callander, Bannockburn, The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Killearn, Bridge of Allan and Bonnybridge.

Service (SNBTS) requires 1,000 donations every day. Our ability to meet demand for blood depends on voluntary blood donations. SNBTS holds over 1000 blood donating sessions every year in workplaces and other venues.

The first donating session in Stirling took place in 1960 and to date almost 90,000 volunteers have attended.

There are also donating sessions arranged for local schools. St Modan’s, for example, will have its second donating session this year.

At workplaces like Stirling Council we have welcomed over 8,000 volunteers in almost 40 years.

A heartfelt thank you goes to all of our volunteers and local organisers.

MARIANNE EIK

If you feel you could benefit from workplace training to improve your skills – whether IT, writing, numbers, English or more specialised skills – the new ASPIRE programme may be able to help.

“ASPIRE offers to source and fund tailored training for employees wishing to improve core skills, employees struggling with workplace change, migrant workers and employees with health issues or disabilities – free of charge,” says Project co-ordinator Marianne Eik. “If you are an employer with a member of staff who needs help, please get in touch as well.”

The project runs until August 2011 and is funded by Stirling Council and the European Social Fund Lowlands and Uplands Scotland Programme 2007.

Contact Marianne Eik on 01786 432360 or email aspire@stirling.gov. uk

STIRLING FOCUS BETTER SERVICES / participation & responsibility

18

Have your say ...on local housing Work has begun on a new Local Housing Strategy for

Common repair Common sense Many homeowners living in tenements and tower blocks across Scotland can run into difficulties when trying to coordinate and organise repairs between neighbours, landlords and tenants.

So to help owners understand their responsibilities and the law on repairs and maintenance to tenements, Consumer Focus Scotland has published the second edition of a guide called Common Repair, Common Sense.

The easy-to-read guide covers key issues faced by owners, including: • managing tenements, including dealing with property managers and factors • managing repairs and building maintenance • paying for repairs • dealing with difficulties such as disagreements or payment problems • where to get further advice.

The guide is available online at www.consumerfocus-scotland. org.uk or from Consumer Focus Scotland Tel 0141 226 5261 email mail@consumerfocusscotland.org.uk

Read the guide at www.consumerfocus-scotland.org.uk

the Stirling area that will take us up to 2015.

It will look at the housing needs of existing and future households, and at improving public and private sector housing, making sure that it is in good repair and energy efficient.

Other issues to be covered include: • meeting the needs of people who have particular housing needs, for example people with disabilities and women fleeing domestic violence • taking steps to make sure that the Council can meet the Scottish Government’s requirement that by 2012 all homeless people who are not intentionally homeless will be provided with permanent accommodation.

Public consultations on the strategy are taking place in April, May and June.

...on future development A Stirling Local Development Plan for the next 20 years is being prepared. The first stage in the process is the publication of a Main Issues Report, which will contain one or more alternative proposals for you to comment on.

Public consultation will take place in May and June, and will include a Local Development Plan roadshow visiting different communities.

...and on open spaces As a part of our consultations we will be asking communities how they use and value local open spaces.

Keep an eye on www.stirling.gov.uk/localdevplan, local press, notices and newsletters for details about the consultations and how to get involved. You can also comment about your local parks and greenspaces at www.greenstat.org.uk

spring 2010

Polling day details and other election information will be up on the Council’s website.

For postal vote advice call 01786 443301 19

✗

ellgreen W d e it o am vis tion Te n how t c o le e E ic v ’s d e. uncil nts a The Co hey arriv e reside t iv n g e o h t me tes w Care Ho ostal vo p ir e h et complet

Poll position

Stirling Council’s Elections Team is responsible for organising Election Day in the Stirling area when it comes.

Stirling Focus went behind the scenes to find out how their work is going

ARE YOU REGISTERED? A UK Parliamentary election must be held before 3rd June 2010 and a snap election is a possibility, so it’s worth remembering that all applications to vote by post and to register to vote must be received by 11 working days before polling day.

It’s important that all eligible electors check that they are registered to vote now. If you know you will want to use a postal vote please apply now, rather than waiting for the deadline to arrive.

You can check the latest Register of Electors and obtain forms to register to vote and to apply to vote by post

in your local library. You can also contact the Electoral Registration Officer:

• Complete the postal voting statement by signing it and adding your date of birth. If you don’t your vote will not be counted.

• If you are not able to sign your name you can apply to the Electoral Registration Officer for a waiver (see contact details above).

• Send the completed ballot paper and postal voting statement back to the Returning Officer as soon as possible inside the envelopes provided.

• Full instructions will be provided with your postal vote. If you have any queries about voting by post, please don’t hesitate to phone the Returning Officer’s helpline number - 01786 443301 or 442759

Telephone 01786 892289 Fax 01786 892255 email Stirling@centralscotland-vjb. gov.uk POINTS ABOUT POSTAL VOTES There are a few key things to remember if you decide you would like to vote by postal vote this election.

• Mark a cross (X) in the box on the right hand side of the ballot paper opposite the name of the candidate you are voting for.

Vote for one candidate only.

e

re you’re on th

su Check to make

Electoral Register and can vote.

STIRLING FOCUS 20

Climate change has constantly been in the news in recent months, with the UN Conference in Copenhagen, inaccuracies

sustainability

The climate’s right for change in some climate research papers, one of the coldest uk winters on record and further evidence from across the globe of a warming planet.

The vast body of climate science still shows that climate change resulting from human activities is real and that it presents a massive challenge to us all.

Stirling Council aims to meet that challenge by cutting our energy use over the coming years - reducing both emissions of greenhouse gases and our costs. This will be monitored through our Carbon Management Programme, displaying

energy performance certificates in Council buildings, and, from this April, participating in the Carbon Reduction Commitment.

We will also be reviewing how best to deliver our services in response to the predicted changes in our climate, and working with partner organisations to raise awareness of the issues.

More details at www.stirling.gov.uk/ sustainable/climate_change

Pool Bikes

The Council now has 8 pool bikes for staff to use as an alternative to driving when making short journeys.

“Using the bikes helps cut down on car use and emissions and can save time as there is no need to look for parking at your destination,” says Transport Planning Officer Isla Campbell.

“A new cycle compound has also been provided at the Council’s Viewforth HQ to store the pool bikes. It’s available for staff who cycle to work, along with lockers and shower facilities.

Improvements are also being made to other council workplaces.”

These measures are all part of the Council’s Travel Plan which aims to cut down on car use and encourage more sustainable travel. Funding assistance for the travel plan measures has been given by Tactran, the Tayside and Central Scotland Regional Transport Partnership.

If you would like more information on sustainable travel in the Stirling area please email TransportPlanning@stirling.gov.uk

Switch off your lights for Earth Hour to show you care about climate change

21

Kerry from bannockburn at old stirling bridge - one of the landmarks that will be turning off the lights for earth hour 2010

Upcoming Dates for your diary Stirling Farmers’ Market

24 July – 1 August

Maxwell Place, Stirling Every second Saturday of the month, 9 am – 2pm

Parks Week www.loveparksweek.org.uk

15 – 23 May

European Mobility Week Includes Car Free Day (22nd) www.mobilityweek-europe. org

Biodiversity Week www.biodiversityscotland.gov.uk

17 - 21 May Walk to School Week www.walktoschool.org.uk

12 – 20 June Bike Week www.bikeweek.org.uk

September

November National Tree Week, www. treecouncil.org.uk

Earth Hour 2010 27th March, 8.30pm The Earth Hour campaign aims to unite the world’s people to demonstrate their concern about climate change by switching off their lights for an hour.

As in 2009, Stirling Council will be taking part, and encouraging others to join us.

Find out more at www.earthhour.wwf.org.uk

ids ouse, the Pyram Sydney Opera H and Big Ben have all taken par t in Earth Hour!

STIRLING FOCUS

placements in the 22 BETTER SERVICES

“Unpaid work community can help

The Environmental Health

offenders learn new work

Team gives advice to food

skills to improve their

businesses as well as residents.

employabilty.”

Paying back

Karen: THE FOUR ‘C’S ARE crucial in the kitchen.

to commun ities Profile

Criminal Justice

payback: at work on cemetery paths

Community Service is about offenders “paying back” communities for their crimes by doing unpaid work to the benefit of local people.

Do you have an idea for a community clean-up project to improve your local area? You can let us know by filling in a payback form at www.stirling.gov.uk/ payback.

“During the exceptionally bad weather at the turn of the year we discussed with the Council where these efforts should be targeted to help those in most need,” says Helen Grinly, Criminal Justice Team Leader.

“In just eight days Community Service teams clocked up 308 hours of snow and ice clearance work around the Stirling area. They worked in cemeteries, clearing paths before internments, and also cleared the pavements in some sheltered housing complexes.”

The local scheme has been involved in a wide range of projects in the past year.

Examples include:

• litter picking in the National Park • painting over graffiti as part of a • •

new local initiative with the police, community wardens and others working for the Salvation Army, the Greenroutes Project, Braendam House and the Buchlyvie Wildlife Project environmental projects suggested by community councils.

Farm shops, farmers market stalls, restaurants and cafes, delicatessens and mail order companies ...

Chef Jade serves local

Delicious reasons to buy local T

get in touch For more information, or to ask for our help with a community project, please contact: Helen Grinly or Norman Gilmour, Criminal Justice Service, First Floor, Wolfcraig Building, 1 Dumbarton Road, Stirling, FK8 2LQ. Tel 01786 463812

he colourful Buy Local guide and map of places to enjoy fine locally-produced food and drink in and around the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park has been re-printed for 2009/10 with more businesses included, such as Monachyle Mhor in Balquhidder, where chef Jade Van-Der-Spuy makes a point of serving local produce.

The map-guide shows where producers are located and where

you can sample their goods.

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also information on each outlet, the range of produce, opening hours, and website and contact details.

The guide has been reprinted with support from Stirling Council and Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority.

Copies are available from Viewforth and Visitor Information Centres across the area.

STIRLING FOCUS BETTER SERVICES

24

Friends can help

children cope with anxiety

By Jenni Barr, Principal Educational Psychologist

It is estimated that around 20% of children have anxiety symptoms that interfere with their quality of life.

P

sychologists have found that the single most important thing you can do to stop the symptoms of anxiety and depression in children, and also in adults, is to help people to change how they think.

The FRIENDS programme aims to reduce anxiety and depression in children between the ages of 4 and 17.

It helps children develop more positive thinking styles and increases their selfesteem.

In a project funded by the Scottish Government, Stirling Council has been running FRIENDS groups in a number of primary and secondary schools over the last 3 years.

It has also trained over 570 teachers, psychologists, social workers, health professionals and voluntary agency

dels

picture posed by mo

staff from all across Scotland to run these groups in their own places of work.

Principal Educational Psychologist, Jenni Barr, explained: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have also been trialling Fun FRIENDS, the younger version of FRIENDS, in a small number of nurseries here in Stirling, too. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fun FRIENDS involves helping children between the ages of 4 and 7 recognise the signs their bodies give them when they are getting anxious or sad.

Learning relaxation techniques helps them calm their bodies down, change their unhelpful, pessimistic thoughts into helpful, optimistic thoughts and, in conjunction with their parents, to

st-effective

The most co Fun Friends help

way for the Council to

children learn relaxation

collect council tax.

techniques and ways to turn unhelpful thoughts into helpful, optimistic ones.

develop Step Plans to break down big worries into small, achievable steps.

The programme uses lots of playbased and fun activities to teach these concepts.

“We need to consider the best way of ensuring that the number of children showing anxiety symptoms does not continue to rise. FRIENDS would appear to offer our children a fun way of doing this.”

For further information on FRIENDS please contact: Stirling Council Educational Psychology Service 4 Woodside Road Raploch Stirling FK8 1RF tel: 01786 442530 or fax: 01786 442946 or e-mail: psychological@stirling.gov.uk www.FRIENDSforlifescotland.org www.pathwayshrc.com.au

focus facts There are more details about the friends and Fun Friends programmes, research and training on the website. www.friendsforlifescotland.org

25

Margaret and team can help you sign up for direct debit payments

Pay by

Direct debit have you thought about paying your council tax by direct debit?

“70% of local households are doing just that,” says Margaret Campbell, Service Manager.

“It’s cost-effective, efficient and couldn’t be simpler to set up.

You can choose to pay weekly, fortnightly, four-weekly or monthly. If you opt for monthly, payments can be made over 10 months on 1st or 17th of the month, or over 12 months on 1st, 17th or 28th of the month.”

Direct debit reduces costs for the Council – meaning it reduces costs for council tax payers.

Please visit www.stirling.gov.uk and click on Do It Online, phone 01786 443210 or fill in the form included with your council tax bill.

The Council recently changed the date that the first payment of council tax is due from 15 April to 1 April. This brings us into line with most other Scottish councils, and allows 15 more days a year for payment and collection. This change won’t affect people who pay by direct debit.

participation & responsibility

26

Youth Voice

Stirling Youth Voice encourages young people to have their

say in local, national and international decision-making structures and voice their views, needs and issues.

Members of Stirling Youth Voice, along with our area’s current Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYPs) Zoe Taylor and Gary Airnes, have been working with local young people to promote Stirling Youth Voice, and the Council’s Youth Services have also signed a partnership agreement with the initiative.

Could you be a Youth Voice Representative or Member?

Just

Youth Voice Representatives are young volunteers aged 14-25 who represent the views of

other young people ?

8 1 d e

and work to create rn tu

Make sure your voice is heard by

voting in the General Election.

positive changes for the young people of Stirling. They are supported by the Youth Voice network and Youth Services.

As a Youth Voice Representative you’ll have access to training opportunities, decision-making structures and other events where you can be heard.

“We’re hoping to recruit a large network of Youth Voice Representatives, so that every school, youth group, community and loads of other groups and organisations have appropriate representation for young people,” says Zoe Taylor MSYP. “It’s a really rewarding thing to get involved in – and lots of fun, too.”

Youth Voice Members are young people from first year of high school up to the age of 25 who become part of the Youth Voice network and have the opportunity to speak up on

issues important to them. “To become a Youth Voice member all you need to do is complete a registration form,” says Gary Airnes MSYP. “Then you can get involved as much or as little as you like – whatever you’re comfortable with.”

Vote vote vote An election will be held in the week beginning 22 March to elect a new Member of Scottish Youth Parliament for Stirling to replace Zoe, who has come to the end of her term.

“I’ll be mentoring the new MSYP until June to show him or her the ropes, and then it’s back to focusing on my university studies,” says Zoe. “It’s been a fantastic experience, and a privilege, and I wish our new MSYP all the very best.”

Stirling Youth Voice If you live, work or go to school, college or university in the Stirling Council area, are between 12-25 years old, and would like to get involved, please get in touch.

Contact Zara Kitson, Youth Services, tel 01786 432211 or email youthservices@stirling.gov.uk To get in touch with your MSYPs: Zoe: taylorz@stilring.gov.uk Gary: airnesg@stirling.gov.uk

spring 2010

Inspectors will meet children and

families who have been in contact with

b

Child

b

Protection

b

STIRLING Council wants our area to be a place where all children and young people are safe, enjoy good health, and have access to a wide range of positive experiences and opportunities to achieve their potential.

bThe safety

of our children is everyone’s responsibility.

If you have any concerns for a child or young person, seek advice and support from:

How well do we protect children in the Stirling area?

In March Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education returns to Stirling to inspect services to protect children as part of a second round of such inspections throughout Scotland.

The inspectors will be in Stirling for two separate weeks looking at case files and other records and meeting key staff from all the partner organisations, including Stirling Council, Forth Valley NHS, Central Scotland Police, the Scottish Children’s Reporters Administration and the voluntary and independent sectors. They will also meet children and families who have been in contact with child protection services here.

If you would like more information about this inspection, or if you have any questions about child protection services in Stirling, please get in touch with: Anne Salter, Lead Officer, Child Protection Stirling Child Protection Committee Tel 01786 443379 email saltera@stirling.gov.uk

focus facts Read the latest issue of the Stirling Child Protection Committee newsletter online at stirling.gov.uk/ cpcnewsletter.pdf

During the day: Social Work Initial Assessment Team 01786 471177 Child Protection Co-ordinator 01786 443493 Police 01786 456000 Health Contact your local health centre and speak to your health visitor or GP. Reporter to the Children’s Panel Authority Reporter 01786 476400 Out of hours: Emergency Duty Team After 5 pm and at weekends Social Work 01786 470500 or 0845 277 7000 Police 01786 456000

27 better services

child protection services.

STIRLING FOCUS

Trossachs and Teith

Cllr Tony Ffinch

Conservative ffincht@stirling.gov.uk

28

Cllr Paul Owens

Labour

participation and responsibility

Ward 1

owensp@stirling.gov.uk

Cllr Fergus Wood

Citizen Moira

snp woodf@stirling.gov.uk

Moira Graham, Chair of the Cornton Vale Over 21’s prison visiting Committee, is just one of scores of Stirling area citizens who serve on committees, forums and panels to help make a difference to the lives of local people.

“It’s a really worthwhile experience,” says Moira.

“Working with the Visiting Committee lets me make a contribution as one of a team, acting on behalf of the community and dealing with issues on behalf of some of the most vulnerable women in society. It can be difficult, but I feel privileged to be part of these families’ lives, and hopefully to be part of decisions that will lead to good outcomes for these young people.”

ing Board

Join our Sound

Stirling Council needs more people to come forward to serve on panels and forums, including:

• • • • • • •

Social Work Complaints Review Panel Parental Appeals Panel Prison Visiting Committee – Over 21s Safeguarders Panel Legal Representatives for Relevant Persons Licensing Forum Stirling Area Local Access Forum.

If you’re interested, please contact Michelle MacDonald, Committee Officer, on 01786 442599 or email macdonaldm3@stirling.gov.uk.

www.stirling.gov.uk/soundingbo

ard

Ward 2

Forth and Endrick

Cllr Alistair Berrill

Conservative berrilla@stirling.gov.uk

Cllr Graham Lambie

SNP lambieg@stirling.gov.uk

Cllr Colin O’Brien

Labour obrienc@stirling.gov.uk

Learn more about your councillors on our website www.stirling.gov.uk/councillors Dates of meetings are online at

We’re always keen to refresh our citizens’ panel the Stirling Sounding Board to make sure the voices of citizens are being heard .

www.stirling.gov.uk/meetings

You can also contact us by phone at 0845 277 7000.

Your Councillors

Ward 5

Stirling West

Cornton Raploch

Cllr Neil Benny Cambusbarron St Ninians

Conservative

Braehead

bennyn@stirling.gov.uk

Broomridge

Cllr Scott Farmer

SNP farmers@stirling.gov.uk

Cllr Andrew Simpson

STIRLING

Labour simpsona3@stirling.gov.uk

Fintry

Ward 4

Ward 3

Ward 6

Castle

Cllr Ian Brown

Dunblane and Bridge of Allan

Cllr John Hendry

Cllr Callum Campbell

Cllr Graham Reed

Conservative

Lib Dem

campbellc@stirling.gov.uk

reedg@stirling.gov.uk

Cllr Colin Finlay

Cllr Jim Thomson

Lib Dem

Labour hendryj@stirling.gov.uk

Labour

Cllr Steven Paterson

snp thomsonj03@stirling.gov.uk

Ward 7

Bannockburn

mcchordc@stirling.gov.uk

snp

finlayc@stirling.gov.uk

Cllr David Goss

browni@stirling.gov.uk

Cllr Corrie McChord

Labour

Lib Dem

Stirling East

patersonst@stirling.gov.uk

(Bannockburn, Cowie, Plean area.)

gossd@stirling.gov.uk

Cllr Graham Houston

snp houstong@stirling.gov.uk

Cllr Margaret Brisley Labour Cllr Alasdair MacPherson SNP Cllr Violet Weir Labour brisleym@stirling.gov.uk macphersona@stirling.gov.uk weirv@stirling.gov.uk

29

Happy 1st Birthday to

Michael Anderson is one of The Peak’s many success stories.

Michael, who works for Capita Life & Pensions at Craigforth, joined the gym last May in an effort to get fit and lose weight.

The Peak at Stirling Sports Village celebrates its first birthday on Saturday 3 April A special day filled with family activities is planned including fun sessions in the pool, ice discos, dance classes, obstacle courses and much , much more.

and teams of all abilities taking part in a broad range of sports and activities in the swimming pool, on the ice rink, on the climbing wall, in the gym or in the fitness classes.

“It’s hard to believe that this building has only been open for 12 months,” says centre manager Linda Mann. “Right from the start, we seem to have become a big part of so many people’s daily, weekly and monthly routines.

The Peak is open 6 am - 10 pm Monday to Fridays, 7 am - 8pm Saturdays and 8 am - 8 pm Sundays.

“It’s been lovely to see so much enjoyment on so many levels.

The Peak is such a rewarding and inspiring place to work in.” Since opening, the Peak has attracted over 600,000 users, with people

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“One year on and the enthusiasm for sport and physical activity continues to grow - and it’ll increase even more as we get closer to the Olympics in 2012 and the Commonwealth Games in 2014,” adds Linda.

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Stirling Council, Viewforth, Stirling FK8 2ET phone: 0845 277 7000 email: info@stirling.gov.uk text: 0771 799 0001 web: www.stirling.gov.uk

“I can’t thank the instructors at The Peak enough for all the motivation and inspiration they have given me,” he says. “With their help, through using the gym and going to a variety of fitness classes, I have reached my target weight.

My life has improved so much, and I have never been happier with the way I am.”

Edited and designed by Stirling Council’s Communications and Marketing Team, Feb 2010

STIRLING FOCUS 30 participation and responsibility

A year on, a life changed

work-outs at the peak have made a big difference for MICHaeL

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stirling.gov.uk/thepeak

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