by Communications TEAM | Jan 31, 2025 | announcement, announcementspage, News, webpage
The Chair of the Bridge of Allan Community Council has sent the following letter to Stirling Council:
OFFICIAL
Date: 31 January 2025
Dear Stirling Council,
2025/26 Stirling Council Budget: consultation and engagement process
In addition to our individual residents’ responses to the current budget engagement exercise, Bridge of Allan Community Council is writing on behalf of our community to express our concerns regarding both the process and the options being presented.
We appreciate that generating savings options for consideration is a challenge, however we feel that the information provided has been insufficient to allow residents to fully consider options and provide informed feedback to support Elected Members to decide on the budget for 2025/26.
On your engagement platform you state that £2.6m of savings are being consulted on with residents, and that a range of other savings, totalling more than £8m, have been identified which will not have a direct impact on the services resident’s use. No detail is provided on the £8m plus of savings identified, but we are struggling to understand how any savings made by Council will not have a direct impact on the services provided to residents. Whether the savings are being generated from back-office functions, from restructures or from another route they will ultimately impact on the quality and efficiency of the services provided by Stirling Council to its residents. We ask you to share publicly all information on the detail of these savings and an assessment of the impact, both positive and negative from these.
The savings presented for engagement are not supported with information on the potential impact should the saving be made, with detail instead describing the service as it is. There is no detail of the impact assessments you have undertaken in relation to equalities, children’s rights, environment, or the Fairer Scotland Duty. Without this level of detail, the engagement exercise you have undertaken feels tokenistic. Unless you are willing to support residents to give an informed view it is hard to see what value you place on this exercise. While we feel that asking respondents general questions about possible disproportionate impact of savings on people with one or more protected characteristic is positive it is not enough. It does not give any opportunity to consider how factors such as poverty may exacerbate impact on some households, or how the cumulative impact of different savings may have a disproportionate impact on specific individuals, households or families.
Many of the options presented seem to relate to services aimed at supporting those most in need, such as services specifically aimed at supporting children and young people to engage in education, community and culture; supporting families; providing access to libraries and community facilities; homelessness and housing support; business development; and volunteering support. These are often the areas targeted on an annual basis for savings, which provides uncertainty for both those who use the services and the staff who provide them. It also suggests they are valued less than services not being presented for consideration.
While we recognise that savings must be made, and that the budget requires to be balanced, we do not feel that the options presented represent areas of true efficiency within the organisation. Many of the options proposed will have a significant detrimental impact on members of our community who require most support and will have a cumulative long-term impact on outcomes for the communities who make up the Stirling Council area.
As a representative body for our area with a statutory basis, we have a role in supporting Council to engage with residents. We have shared information on the engagement exercise with residents and urged them to have their say. However the lack of detail on the options themselves, and the likely impact on residents is an area of significant concern for the Community Council and we would welcome a discussion on how this approach can be improved.
Regards
Amanda Coulthard
Chair, Bridge of Allan Community Council
Bridge of Allan Community Council
OFFICIAL
by Communications TEAM | Jan 29, 2025 | announcement, announcementspage, News, webpage
The Residents Against Greenbelt Erosion (RAGE) campaigners are hosting a coffee morning to thank all those who contributed to their campaign against the Park of Keir development. RAGE are holding the event on Saturday, February 8 at Lecropt Kirk Hall from 10am-noon and say it will be an opportunity for anyone who has been involved in, or who is interested in, the campaign to ‘Save Park of Keir’ to meet and chat with others.
by Communications TEAM | Jan 29, 2025 | announcement, announcementspage, Minutes, News, webpage
Our November 2024 meeting minutes were approved at the January meeting and are now available to read in full here read here .
by Communications TEAM | Jan 23, 2025 | announcement, announcementspage, News, webpage
Stirling Council have issued notice of disruption to a wide range of council services on Fri 24th Jan due to rare severe weather forecast by the Met Office. Please see their notice : https://www.stirling.gov.uk/service-updates/storm-eowyn-closures-and-disruptions/.
The rare “Red” warning is for 10am to 5pm tomorrow (24 January), with very dangerous conditions and signification disruption expected.
Amber warnings are also in place from 6am on Fri until 6am on Sat. The University of Stirling is also cancelling in-person teaching, meetings and events, including the closure of all Sports Facilities. (https://stir.ac.uk/).
According to the Met Office, winds could reach 100mph in exposed areas and there could be a risk to life due to flying debris, power cuts and damage to buildings.
Police Scotland has urged people to avoid any form of travel in areas impacted by the red warning, with very dangerous driving conditions and significant delays anticipated.
Please continue to follow Police Scotland’s travel advice: www.scotland.police.uk/what-s-happening/news/2025/january/police-travel-advice-issued-in-advance-of-storm-eowyn
by Communications TEAM | Dec 7, 2024 | announcement, announcementspage, Minutes, News, webpage
Our October meeting minutes were approved at our last meeting and are now available to read in full by clicking here
At the meeting we discussed
Police Report – Covering the period 13th September to 10th October: available here
Residents voice – A discussion around topical issues of the provision of a local post office and banking facilities, problematic litter and dog fouling areas. A reminder to report issues that need attention from stirling council to
report it webpage
Updates from Community Organisations -A monthly agenda slot for updates from other community groups. Friends of Bridge of Allan have taken down the hanging baskets and are preparing the memorial park for the Remembrance Service. Discover Bridge of Allan updated that their website will be getting a refresh and is progressing an application for charitable status. The Dr Welsh Trust AGM is to be held on the 21st November. Did you know the Dr Welsh Trust is now online <- New Website!
Christmas Lights 🌟❄️🎄 – A summary from the team about the progress of fundraising and planning for the switch on.
Coordination of Events – Bridge of Allan hosts a number of events large and small throughout the year, such as the Highland Games, Car Show and Fireworks Night. The development of an events charter was suggested to ensure minimal disruption to residents and recognise good practice, hopefully resulting in successful events that benefit locals and visitors.
Our Bridge of Allan Planning – Feedback from community engagement events has now been analysed to identify themes for the Community Action plan, which is now in design. The Local Place Plan is also in draft and should be available for review in January. The purchase of Sunnylaw is now imminent.
Planning report – no planning proposals of note. We will be contacting Guala for an update on the plans for the UCP factory site
Chairs Reports – An update on a number of groups and events including Christmas activities throughout November and December, the Remembrance Service. Alasdair will be stepping down from the council to move away. We now have two community council vacancies, and welcome anyone interested to come along to a meeting or get in touch. A recruitment drive will begin soon
Secretary’s report – A round up of communications from our elected members, residents and newsletters
Nominations for Treasurer – Graham was voted in to take on the role of Treasurer from Alasdair
AOB – Cones from the roadworks ending up in the river, a damaged wall on the Darn Walk, uneven pavement at the Allan Centre, Well House Doors Open day and ideas for more heritage events.
Minutes for the latest November meeting will be available after their approval at the next meeting in January. However news on the progress of projects and local issues will also be shared via our website and social media accounts, so sign up to our mailing list or follow us to find out our news.
Minutes from all our past meetings can be found on our meetings page
by Communications TEAM | Nov 24, 2024 | announcement, announcementspage, News, Planning, webpage
At our meeting last week Flora and Michaela from the Stirling Council Active Travel Project team presented an update on the Causewayhead to Dunblane active travel route. You can read the presentation below.
A feasibility study on the Bridge of Allan to Dunblane route was completed in 2021, and a study of the Bridge of Allan to Airthrey Road was completed in 2023. Now concept designs for the Phase 1 part of the route are being prepared for wider consultation.
At this stage we are looking for members of Community Advisory Group (CAG). People who have been previously involved in the group looking at the route, will be contacted to confirm ongoing engagement. The CAG will be a group represnting a broad range of interests, insights and expertise to consult with on early designs, areas of constraint and support the project development. Over time the group will assist in sharing accurate information on decision making and in obtaining support within the wider community. If you are interested in becoming a member of the CAG then please get in touch.
The consultation on this part of the route has not started yet, but you may find interesting the process and comments riased during the Walk Cycle Live Stirling Project consultation.
Dunblane to Causewayhead_BofA Community Council Nov2024
