delivering quality services 0845 277 7000 stirling.gov.uk

Focusfor everyone living in the Stirling CounCil area

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performance at

Spring 2009

Stirling’s new Sports VillageWin a year’s free membership

Life-changing music-making

Leftovers?

Standing up to the

What a beautiful noise!

in raploch

new food waste collections

Downturn

neW

SportS

Village

special

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Contact usfor all Stirling Council services phone the contact centre on:

& 0845 277 7000

text: 07717 990 001

8 www.stirling.gov.uk

@ info@stirling.gov.uk

register for text or email alerts at www.stirling.gov.uk/my

To:

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4 ghi 5 jkl 6 mno

7 pqrs 8 tuv 9 xyz

[ 0 #*

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+

Focus Comments? Questions? ideas?

tel 01786 443360

email stirlingfocus@stirling.

gov.uk

or write to Stirling focus,

Communications and

Marketing, old viewforth,

Stirling fK8 2et.

&@

HellO

if you haven’t had a chance to visit the peak at Stirling’s new

Sports village yet this issue of focus gives a taster of all the

fantastic facilities waiting for you. you could also win a year’s free

membership in the competition on page 15. i hope you find our

4-page guide on pages 13-16 and the website at

www.stirling.gov.uk/thepeak useful.

in this issue we’ve also tried to include as much information as

possible about sources of support, advice and guidance during the

current economic downturn. the key message is please don’t

delay getting in touch if you’re worried about paying your rent or

Council tax. our housing options officers (see story on page 25),

Council tax team, Money advice experts and others are here to

help.

elsewhere there’s news about plans for our website, the lowdown

on making the most of food waste, and some great photos of

raploch children joyfully making music as

part of the terrific Sistema Scotland project

– a first for Stirling.

Enjoy Focus.

Cllr graham houston

leader, Stirling Council

CouNCILLoRgraham hoUSton

read and recycle

if you need this information in large print, Braille, audio or in another language please contact 0845 277 7000 and quote reference number 8232.

0845 277 7000

0845 277 7000

0845 277 7000

0845 277 7000

fOcus faCtS

Stirling focus is published by Stirling

Council and delivered by the royal

Mail’s Door to Door service. it costs

approx 21p per copy to print and

distribute.

the winner of the hogmanay Ceilidh

Competition in our last issue was Janet

Smith of Stirling.

Copyright © Stirling Council 2009. 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.

SpRING 2009

Contents

routes to your roots

let’s be having your leftovers

european elections on 4 June

any volunteers?

10

22

18

27

your community cops

6

regulars2 What’s on

33 Your councillors

34 Spotlight on your services

34 Number crunching

We’re looking at how to get young people

more involved in local democracy and

citizenship

(Youth Voice: see page 26)

cOver pHOtO:

active Stirling‘s ed hides, outdoor activity

Co-ordinator, reaching the heights

at the peak!

all about the peak @ Stirling’s new Sports Villagea special 4-page pull-out.

13

1

Feature Stories

7 Meet the Area Commander

8 Stirling Arcade’s bright future

12 Working on the web

20 Standing up to the downturn

24 Lowdown on the Local Development plan

25 Know your housing options

Let the children play

see pages 4 - 5

✽

TolbooTh Box Office 01786 27 4000www.stirling.gov.uk/tolbooth

Wed 6 May and Wed 3 Jun, 8pm

Jazz singers’ Open Mic nightstake to the stage with a live jazz band as

you belt out the standards.

www.stirling.gov.uk/tolbooth £5/£3

Thu 7 May, 8pm

the chris stout theorywith special guest thomas rohrer

Chris’s stellar quintet plus a guest from

Brazil. www.chrisstout.co.uk £12/£10

Sat 16 May, 8pm

stairwell sistersCombining the energy of rock music with

the old-time sounds of fiddle, banjo and

slide guitar. www.stairwellsisters.com

£12/£10

Thu 21 May, 8pm

lisa Knapp & James yorkstontwo amazing alt folk musicians.

www.myspace.com/lisaknappmusic

www.myspace.com/jamesyorkston £12/£10

Fri 22 May, 8pm

Hans theesinkhans is one of the world’s leading country

pickers, and his warm baritone expresses

the blues like no other.

www.theessink.com

£10/£8

Sat 23 May, 8pm

laua formidable union of

three of the top modern

traditional musicians in

Scotland today.

www.lau-music.co.uk £14/£12

Friday 15

May, 7.30pm

roger dean sings the Johnny cash storyif you saw

Walk the line you won’t want to miss this. tickets £12/£10

Saturday 23 May, 7.30pm

abba the showa stunning 2 hours taking you back to the days when flares were all the rage and glitter was great!tickets £15/£13.50

Sunday 24 May, 7.30pm

nlp theatre presents singin’ ‘i’m no a Billy, He’s a tim’What happens when you lock up a Celtic fan with a rangers fan on the day of an old firm match? fireworks!tickets £12/£10

Friday 29 May, 7.30pm

Memory lane 2a stunning musical journey from Music hall to the 40’s up to the 70’s.tickets £11/£9

Thursday 2 July, 7.30pm

an audience with sally Morganthe psychic to the stars on national tour for the first time. tickets £19.50

2

alBert HallsBox Office 01786 473544www.stirling.gov.uk/alberthalls

Friday 1 May, 7.30pm

scots guards – a concert tribute in aid of the colonel’s fundthe regimental Band of the Scots guards and the pipes and Drums of the 1st Battalion the Scots guards. tickets £12/£10

Saturday 2 May, 10 am

scotfairs antique & collectors fair1000’s of interesting, beautiful and affordable items for everyone. Will be back on Sat 13 June & Sat 4 July £1

Wednesday 6 May, 7.30pm

eddi reader & special guesta former vocalist with fairground attraction and now a highly successful singer-songwriter in her own right. tickets £17.50 + Booking fee

Sunday 10 May, 7.30pm

stirling Orchestrain the last concert for the orchestra’s 25th season, enjoy a traditional classical programme. tickets £8/£6/£2 accompanied schoolchildren

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✽A selection of attractions in the Stirling Council area. For full details visit www.stirling.gov.uk/whatson

Stai

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SpRING 2009

✽

Thu 4 Jun, 8pm

nuala Kennedy, voyage de nuittraditional Celtic music meets the rhythm of flamenco and the harmony of jazz. www.myspace.

com/travelatnight £10/£8

Wed 17 Jun, 8pm

session a9Scotland’s Supergroup has been thrilling audiences throughout the uK as a top

tunes band. www.sessiona9.com £10/£8

Sat 27 Jun,

8pm

a Hawk and a Hacksawa blend of mariachi, folk and a dozen other

influences from the Broadcast collaborator Jimmy Barnes. www.myspace.com/ahawkandahacksaw

at the TolbooThBox Office 01786 27 4005www.stirling.gov.uk/changingroom

2 May – 6 June

the new spirit Happeninga Solo exhibition by Julian house, co-founder of ghostbox, best known for his graphic design for oasis & primal Scream.

2 May – 4 July

How children learna cumulative exhibition by Stirling based artists rue five and David galletly.

stirling ranger service01786 442971 (Mon - Fri 9-5pm)www.stirling.gov.uk/countryside

Booking is essential for some events.

for all our countryside events, including

volunteer days, children are welcome,

but must be supervised by an adult at

all times.

Sunday 3 May, 10am - 3pm

Whangie WheezeMeet at Queen’s view car park

(off a809, 7km (4miles) north of

Milngavie). the path to this local

landmark needs some tlC – can you help?

Sunday 17 May, 10am-3pm

Build a Boardwalk – KillinMeet at the Council Car park at the old

station, Killin. help install a recycled

plastic boardwalk.

places are free but limited – advanced

booking is essential.

Sunday 24 May, 1pm - 4pm

Biodiversity, Beginners to Boffinsplean Country park. Meet at the picnic

area. a fun day for all the family with

games, activities and more.

Sunday 7 June, 1pm - 4pm

navigation for numptiesMeet at Macrobert, Stirling university.

Making maps work. Come and let

access staff and active Stirling show

you how to find your way.

Sunday 14 June, 12noon – 4pm

Balquidderock Wood - countryside action dayMeet at bottom of the central path

through the woods (off Caltrop place/

Claymore Drive, Broomridge). Wear

something nettle-proof!

Sunday 28 June, 2 - 3.30pm

Hunt the HaggisMeet outside the Wallace Monument visitor Centre. help the Countryside rangers hunt for a most elusive

Scottish mammal ...

Sunday 5 July 12, noon – 3pm

Monumental clear upMeet at Wallace Monument visitor

Centre.

Sunday 12 July, 10am - 2pm

good dog!plean Country park. Celebrating our four-legged friends and their well-

behaved owners.

Saturday 25 July, 1 - 4pm

Big Bug Hunt!Meet at plean Country park Car park.free family fun. learn about

butterflies, bees and other bugs.

Sunday 26 July, 10am – 3pm

strathblane a chance to give something back to the local environment by giving some time and energy to a part of Strathblane in need of some tlC. Watch for the

posters nearer the time.

Sunday 2 August, 1 - 3pm

Water and Woodland WeirdiesMeet at the composting site, Burnside Wood, Kippen. explore the watery world of pond dipping and meet the weird, wonderful creatures of the

woodland.

3

Lau

Fri 29 – Sun 31 May

le Weekend

Stirling’s annual visit into the

world of no limits music.

www.leweekendfestival.com

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Sistema

foCuS MeetS SiSteMa

SCotlanD DireCtor

niCola Killean

Nicola, who are

Sistema Scotland?

We’re a national organisation which

hopes to start children’s orchestras

in communities around Scotland.

raploch is the first of these, and the

orchestra is called Big noise.

Why Raploch?

With all the physical regeneration

that was happening here we

felt the community was ripe for

some new and innovative social

regeneration. the principles of

Sistema Scotland were perfect for

the new vision for raploch.

Why are children’s orchestras so

important in these communities?

By playing in an orchestra children

learn to respect themselves and

each other. an orchestra only works

if everyone plays their part. We

use the music lessons to teach the

children life skills. So it’s about a

lot more than just music – but the

music is pretty good too!

How’s the Big Noise going?We work every week with around

200 children from raploch primary,

our lady’s primary, Castleview

primary and the nursery. the

oldest 40 or so are now playing

together in a string orchestra on

violins, violas, cellos and basses.

it’s amazing how good they have

become in just one year.

Are the children enjoying it?they’re having a great time! the

music is coming along wonderfully,

but they are also picking up a lot of

confidence and social skills.

What do parents think?

We had a session to give parents a

go at the same instruments as their

children are learning. it was great

fun, and i think the adults gained a

lot of respect for their children. it’s

not as easy as it looks!

Tell us about the most rewarding

thing that’s happened.

the children have performed on

stage a few times now – including

at the Queen’s hall in edinburgh.

every time i see them playing in

front of people, doing raploch,

themselves and their teachers

proud, it really brings a lump to the

throat.

Any funny stories?

the other day i heard two children

in the street arguing about what

size a cello is. not really a typical

topic for conversation before the

orchestra was here!

Making a big noise in Raploch

niCola With niCole froM raploCh priMary

SChool: enJoying MaKing a Big noiSe

Scot land

pART

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SpRING 2009

What’s next for the project?

We want to continue building on

the success of the string orchestra

in raploch, and expand the range of

instruments involved until there’s a full

symphony orchestra. it’s exciting to

think that in a few years there may be

some exceptionally musical teenagers

coming out of raploch.

What’s your favourite piece of music?

i like Debussy’s la Mer and the Seldom

Seen Kid by elbow.

A Big Noise orchestra is

terrific fun. Children want to be

involved. Everyone is accepted

and has a place. Children are

never turned away.

EvERY ChILD IS WELCoME To joIN IN ThE MuSIC-

MAKING

LEFT: NICoLA WITh LuKE, ToMMY AND NICoLE

Big noise electronic newsletter at

register to receive the regular

www.makeabignoise.org.uk

6

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Getting to know your community constables

a network of community

constables – each with their

own web pages to keep local

people up-to-date – covers the

entire area. newly-launched

policing priorities known as

paCt (police and Communities

together) ensure that the

problems which communities

face are targeted effectively.

“i’ve been delighted to see

levels of crime drop across

the area Command, although

clearly we still have issues within

communities with antisocial

behaviour - usually fuelled

by alcohol,” says Stirling area

Commander Superintendent David

flynn.

“the priority has been to enhance

community policing, and i have

committed additional officers into

the three teams which cover the

Council area.

“i want everyone to get to know their

community cop, because although the

rest of my officers will attend to urgent

calls, it’s the community teams -

together with our partners - which will

work at solving longer-term issues.”

CoMMunity poliCing teaMS are DeDiCateD to proviDing a

high Quality of ServiCe to loCal people. CriMe iS taCKleD

roBuStly, anD With a real eMphaSiS on prevention.

fOcus faCtS

• you’ll find the paCt webpages for

your local community at

www.centralscotland.police.uk/

localpolicing

7

Community Service: offenders

paying back to the community

SpRING 2009

Stirling-born David grew up in the

city and went to school at riverside

primary and Wallace high. he still

lives here with his wife and three

sons. David describes the post of

Stirling area Commander as his

“dream job”.

“this is a fantastic opportunity

– working with police officers and

our partners to improve things for

Stirling”, David told focus.

“for me, the beauty of working in

this community is that residents,

elected members, officers and

staff across Stirling Council, Central

Scotland police, Central Scotland fire

and rescue, nhS forth valley, Stirling

university, forth valley College and

voluntary agencies all really care.

“We all want Stirling to flourish, grow

and be what we all know it to be -

the best place to live in Scotland.

“the promise i give is that the

policing team across Stirling area

Working in partnership with ...

CENTRAL SCOTLAND POLICE

Community Service is a sentence

imposed by a court as an

alternative to prison. it allows

the offender to go towards paying

back the community for their

crimes by carrying out unpaid

work for charities and community

organisations or groups. the

placements can help offenders

to learn and develop new work

skills, improve their employability

and move away from crime.

examples of payback include

ground clearance work, recycling,

painting and decorating and

gardening projects. if your

community group or project could

benefit, please contact:

helen grinly, team leader, or

norrie gilmour, Criminal Justice

Service, first floor, Wolfcraig

Building, 1 Dumbarton road,

Stirling, fK8 2lQ. tel 01786

463812 email grinlyh@stirling.gov.uk

Projects that have already

benefited from community

payback are:

• loch lomond and the trossachs

national park

• Bandeath Dog Shelter

• logie Kirk.

Command – which covers the

entire Stirling Council area - will

continue to do all we can to make

Stirling the safest and strongest

community it possibly can be.”

WorKing together

“the Single outcome agreement

charges all partners with working

together to deliver on community

priorities,” continues David.

“that’s why it’s so important for

my officers and staff to be out

there, in communities, listening

to what people are saying and

tackling issues that blight the

quality of life for some people in

the Stirling area.

CoMMunity Safety partnerShip “i’m particularly

proud to chair the Community

Safety partnership, which brings

together the key bodies and

works to make Stirling’s

communities safer and stronger. “

Determined to make Stirling the best it can bethe poliCe offiCer in Charge of Keeping laW anD orDer in

Stirling haS More than JuSt a profeSSional DeterMination

to Keep loCal CoMMunitieS Safe – iT’S PERSONAl FOR

SuPERiNTENdENT dAvid FlyNN.

SupERINTENDENT FLYNN

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8

it’S a City-Centre lanDMarK With a neW leaSe of life. there’S BagS

of Shopping to Be Done in the Stirling arCaDe.

ever since opening its doors nearly 130

years ago, the Stirling arcade (formerly

known as the Crawford arcade) has

been a familiar city centre landmark,

visited by generations of local people

and visitors. the shop-lined victorian

covered walkway linking Murray place

and King Street has witnessed many

changes over the years, but its charm

has endured.

last november the current owners

pledged their commitment and

financial resources to seeing the arcade

become a thriving part of the city

centre once again. Stirling Council

and the Stirling: Scotland’s heart brand

are giving marketing support to the

project.

“the proposed developments won’t

happen overnight”, says Kevin Moore,

co-owner of the arcade. “But we’re in

this project for the duration and we’ll

see it through to completion. the

arcade is part of Stirling’s heritage.

it’s a beautiful, almost forgotten gem

in the heart of the city, with a special

place in local people’s hearts.”

internal refurbishment has now been

completed at a cost of more than

£500,000. phase two will focus on

restoring the facades and stonework at

the two entrances and installing new

external signage and lighting. the

final phase will see the renovation of

the old alhambra theatre – possibly to

create a small cinema, function suite or

conference facility.

CITY CENTRE MANAGER, ANDY KENNEDY.

The new owners are

investing in the business

and also helping retore

the Arcade’s visual appeal.

Refurbishment projects

take more time than

new build, but the

Arcade is headed for a

brighter future.

BETT

ER S

ERvI

CES

Stirling arcade’s past,

present and bright future

9

SenD in your StorieS Do you have

Stirling arcade stories and memories?

the management team is working

with local historians to create a Stirling

arcade archive. photos, articles,

anecdotes and paraphernalia are being

gathered to produce a complete story

of the arcade’s life. the team would

be delighted to hear from you.

Contact: rosie Mclaren, Stirling

arcade’s pr Manager on 01259 211414

or write to her at the Stirling arcade,

King St, Stirling fK8 1aX

www.stirlingarcade.com

fOcus faCtS• China merchant and town

councillor William Crawford built

the arcade between 1881 and

1882.

• the original Crawford arcade

included 39 shops, the Douglas

hotel and a large temperance

hotel as well as the alhambra

theatre.

• at the start of the 1900s the

arcade was home to businesses

including a rubber goods store,

large draper saloon, tea

merchants, jewellers, licensed

house and billiards hall.

Photos by kind permission of Stirling Libraries Service

however this is a reading group with

a difference - the members meet up

in cyberspace to compare notes on

each title.

once she has finished her book

nina logs on to a forum set up by

the library Service and shares her

thoughts with her fellow members.

“When you’re able-bodied you maybe

tend to take for granted things like

going out, choosing your own library

books and picking what you want

when you want,” says nina.

“the library Service know the books i

like. they’ll also bring me new books

when i request them. and now i can

discuss the books i’m reading with

other people in the same position as

me.

“i’m looking forward to when the

project is fully up and running and

we all get online and can share our

thoughts with each other.”

A new kind of reading group for nina

SpRING 2009

the housebound reading group is

just one of many groups designed to

allow users to discuss the books they

are reading and enjoy the community

feel of a reading group, as well as

providing a social forum for readers

who are unable to meet up physically.

When members join the service

they get a laptop and broadband

wireless connection. Stirling Council’s

library Service won funding for the

project from the Scottish library and

information Council. recent books

reviewed by the group include Winter

in Madrid by CJ Samson, the night

Watch by Sarah Waters and the

promised land by David hewson.

nina leiShMan froM olD plean iS a MeMBer of Stirling CounCil

liBrarieS houSeBounD reaDing group anD reCeiveS a neW BooK

every fortnight, DelivereD By volunteer aliSDair DouglaS.

access Services on 01786 432391

for more info contact liz Mcpartlin

or visit www.stirling.gov.uk/libraries

pARTIC

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& RESpo

NSIBILITY

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We’re investing in volunteers

2009 is a special year for everyone

involved in volunteering in our area.

in the spring Stirling Council’s adult

learning team became the first council

service in Scotland to be awarded

official investing in volunteers status.

Stirling-based volunteer Development

Scotland, Scotland’s Centre for

excellence in volunteering, marks a

quarter century this year and manages

the investing in volunteers quality

standard in Scotland. and in June the

uK-wide volunteers Week campaign

will also celebrate its silver anniversary.

“We’re very proud to achieve investing

in volunteers,” says lynne gibbons,

Service Manager, adult learning and

Strategic Support. “our adult learning

team is the first service of its kind

in the country to meet the national

quality standard recognising good

practice in volunteer management.”

the team is supported by volunteers

in three areas: adult literacy and

numeracy, teaching english as a

Second or other language (eSol) and

acting as ‘learning buddies’. Buddies

help learners who need support to

participate in other adult learning

classes.

Stirling CounCil WelCoMeS anD valueS volunteerS, Who

WorK alongSiDe our eMployeeS in Many areaS.

It’s great to see

people are getting

involved in their

communities as

volunteers.........

voLuNTEER DEvELopMENT SCoTLAND ChIEF ExECuTIvE GEoRGE ThoMSoN CoNGRATuLATES LYNNE GIBBoNS AND ThE ADuLT LEARNING TEAM oN ThEIR AChIEvEMENT

10

It’s great seeing the

progress my learner is making -

becoming more confident and

going to college.

The volunteer really

welcomed me to the class, which

made me feel good.

voLuNTEER

LEARNER

pART

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SpRING 2009

Child 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.

the Safety of our children

is everyone’s responsibility. if you

have concerns about a child you

should:

listen to what is being said

observe what is happening

write down what you see and

hear.

then seek advice and support from:

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

bbbb

bb

abc of

abc

When Children’s Services wanted

to understand more about

children’s experiences of social work

they asked the Council’s research

team to help.

“Children and young people are the

most important people our social

workers work with,” said hazel fraser,

Service Manager, Children’s Social

Services. “We wanted to encourage

children, young people and their

parents to tell us how they feel about

our service, so we can identify what

can be done to improve. together

with the research team we designed

a range of colourful and inventive

research tools to help children express

their feelings.”

“We developed things like a ‘happy/

sad thermometer’ to help young

children explain how they felt about

the social work service, and a story

book about Ben and Betty Bear who

are visited by helping Bear,” added

research officer Debbie Cunnell. “We

also came up with a colour chart so

children could show how much they

felt the social work service listened

to them.”

“We went out to interview children,

young people and parents either at

their home or by telephone. a great

deal of valuable feedback – positive

and negative – was gathered. this

will be used to help improve the

service for families in the future. “

a newsletter with all the results of

the research was sent out this spring

to families who took part.

Researching new ways to improve social work services for children

We invented things like a happy

/sad thermometer to help young children

explain how they felt about the service.

11

BELoW: DEBBIE (LEFT) AND hAZEL: NEW WAYS To ENCouRAGE ChILDREN To GIvE ThEIR vIEWS.

BETTER SERvICES

12

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join the SoundingBoardour Sounding Board is made up

of a representative set of local

people who give their opinions on

issues and services in the Stirling

Council area. We are especially

looking for more:

• people from the city centre and

eastern villages

• people from ethnic minorities

• young people.

if you’re interested please:

tel 01786 442994

email research@stirling.gov.uk

visit www.stirling.gov.uk/

soundingboard

Working on the Web

To help

customers

Scottish councils

are joining up

to develop

a common list

of services

for their

websites.

improving our services and making them more accessible are key aims

for the Council, and our website has a key part to play.

“Maintaining the site and keeping the information on it up-to-date is a big job, and we work on it with colleagues from every part of the Council,” Web Services team leader yvonne Dickson told focus.

“the site carries the latest news and features alongside information about hundreds of services. you can also carry out all kinds of business online. Whether it’s applying for a job with Stirling Council, registering for text alerts, booking a library book or checking your council tax account, you can do it at www.stirling.gov.uk/my

“We’re committed to making the site accessible,” adds yvonne. “it’s important that it is easy to use for everyone. So, for example, if our customers are new to using a computer or have impaired vision, we do our best to make sure the design of the site meets their needs.

“the aim is to make our website an essential part of every project the Council is involved in, and to serve local people, encouraging participation, consultation and debate.”

the three-strong web team is currently working on a major behind-the-scenes overhaul of the site. What would you like a new Stirling Council website to look like? Do you think there’s more we could do to make sure people of all abilities are able to experience and enjoy the site? if you have ideas or comments that could help create a better website, please email webmaster@stirling.gov.uk

to webmaster@stirling.gov.ukemail your comments on our website

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fOcus faCtSour website gets over 5000 visits a day, and more and more customers are using the site to carry out their business with the council.

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a t s t i r l i n g s p o r t s v i l l a g e

HealtH/Happiness/life/fun

www.stirling.gov.uk/thepeak

THE PEAk, AT STiRliNg’S SPORTS villAgE, OPENEd EARliER THiS MONTH.

it brings together an unrivalled range of sports and leisure facilities for

residents of and visitors to the Stirling area, improving health, developing

self-confidence and enhancing overall quality of life.

you can...

Performance

• dive in for a swim in the 25m swimming pool

• change your routine with classes in the dance and fitness studio

• build your stamina in the state-of-the-art gym

• make a racquet in the new Sports hall with 9 badminton and 3

basketball courts

• glide across the ice

• climb the walls – or at least our 12 metre climbing wall!

• ...and after your class, dance, game,

climb, skate or swim why not relax in

the cafe or bar?

www.stirling.gov.uk/thepeak

Stirling’s Sports village visit for all the latest info on

Stirling Council,

Active Stirling and

sportscotland have

worked in partnership

to create The peak.

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When you arrive in the

peak, the brand new indoor

complex at the heart of

the Sports village, a large

reception area in the main

atrium leads off to all parts of

the centre. on the right is an

impressive climbing wall and

coffee bar. “the climbing wall

is designed for everyone from

complete novices right through to

experienced climbers,” explains

linda. “all climbers have an

initial induction and assessment.

then they can join a class and

gain more experience or go

it alone if they have the right

skills.”

to the left you can see through a

glass wall to all three swimming

pools. linda points out how they

all have different purposes. “the

confidence pool is for babies and

toddlers and has water fountains

and jungle animals that allow

children to develop their skills in

A look around with Linda

water in a fun, safe and stimulating

way.

“the learner pool has a moveable

floor that goes from a few

centimetres to 1.8 metres deep and

can be used for a variety of different

groups and capabilities, and the main

25 metre pool has six swimming

lanes and is over-looked by spectator

seating.

also on the ground floor, to the rear

of the building is a nine court sports

hall catering for a wide variety of

indoor sports, and an ice rink with six

curling sheets.

Walking round the building you feel

a sense of spaciousness. the centre

has been built to make the best use

of natural light and this is certainly

taken full advantage of in the 100

station gym.

With glass walls on two sides users of

the cardio machines enjoy stunning

views over the ochils as they work

out using the very latest technology.

Centre Manager linDa Mann tooK Stirling foCuS for a tour

of the peaK anD ShoWeD uS Why the faCilitieS on offer are

SoMe of the BeSt to Be founD in Central SCotlanD.

BELoW:GREAT NEW SpINNING CLASSES AND

KELLY WooD FRoM ThE oLYMpIC CuRLING TEAM.

The peak makes the best use of natural

light - for example in the 100-station gym with its

fantastic coloured glass panels. The entrance hall

and swimming pools also have huge windows.

linda: “ThERE’S SoMEThING hERE FoR EvERYoNE.”

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a t s t i r l i n g s p o r t s v i l l a g e

A look around with Linda

“gym users are given a small keyfob

which they plug into each machine as they

work their way around the gym,” linda

says. “it contains their personal workout

programme and tracks their session. then

when the session’s over the information is

transferred onto a computer and reviewed

by a gym assistant. it’s designed to help

users with their training. if a customer

doesn’t come along for a week or two

we’ll give them a call just to check

they’re ok. and if someone is completing

their sessions quickly we can review the

exercises and make them more varied and

challenging.”

the centre also has two fitness studios,

with over 40 classes for all ages on offer

from active Stirling - everything from

aerobics and body pump to pilates and

yoga.

WIN A YEAR’S FREE ACTIVELIVING SILVER MEMBERSHIP AT THE PEAK!

For your chance to enjoy a whole year of free access to the

fantastic facilities at The Peak simply answer this question:

name any three sports you can enjoy at the peak at stirling’s sports village.

1 2 3

name

address

the winner is first out of the hat.

Send your entry to: the peak Competition, Communications and Marketing, old viewforth, Stirling fK8 2et or email stirlingfocus@stirling.gov.uk Closing date Monday 25 May 2009.this competition is not open to employees or contractors of Stirling Council or active Stirling or any person directly or indirectly involved in the organisation or running of the competition, or their direct family members.

it’s not simply about sport - it’s about

health, happiness, life and fun.

a t s t i r l i n g s p o r t s v i l l a g e

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• Stirling Sports village at forthside is the biggest single development for sport and leisure in Stirling for over 30 years.

• the peak – the indoor complex at the Sports village – is managed and run by active Stirling.

• Stirling Sports village is expected to attract 500,000 visitors each year.

• the peak and the Sports village are set to play a major role in attracting international teams preparing for both the london olympics and glasgow Commonwealth games. they will help support elite athletes and those with an aspiration to compete at a higher level.

Prices at the peakresident discount: all Stirling Council

residents will receive a 10% discount

on selected activities* - proof of

residency is required.

Concessionary rates: a 10% discount is

available for people over the age of 60, full time students

and people who qualify for income Support.

the peak is fully accessible to wheelchair users and users with other

disabilities.

Swimming

adult £4.00*

Juvenile £3.00*

family Swim £12.00*

additional Child £2.00*

Sauna £5.00*

Ice Rink

adult £5.00*

Junior £3.75*

family Skate £15.00*

additional Child £2.50*

Skate hire £1.75

family Skate hire £4.00

Sports Hall 1 Court

adult £12.00

Junior £10.00

Sports Classes

Swimming £4.00

Swimming 1to1 £16.00

football £3.25

gymnastics £3.25

Jumpin Beans 35mins £3.25

Jumpin Beans 45mins £3.60

Curling adult 2.5hrs £11.00

Curling Jnr 1.25hrs £3.50

other sports/activities £3.25

fOcus faCtS

Climbing Wall

adult £7.50*

Juvenile £4.50*

Studio

fitness classes £5.00*

Gym

gym £5.50*

Gym Membership

Gym/Swim/Classes Gym/Swim

Single £39.00 £33.00

Joint £68.00 £58.00

Junior (12-15yr old) na £15.00

Concession £30.00 £25.00

opening timesMon – Fri 6 am - 10 pm

Sat 7 am - 8 pm

Sun 8 am - 8 pm

for more information visit

www.stirling.gov.uk/thepeak

or tel: 01786 273555.

a t s t i r l i n g s p o r t s v i l l a g e

17toasting another new forthside businessvue Cinema, Frankie and Bennys

and Nando’s are welcoming

another new business to

Forthside.

Toast is a friendly family-run

café,and the ideal place to take

a break, enjoy delicious food

and drinks and take in stunning

views across the forth towards

the Wallace Monument. open

for breakfast, lunch and dinner at

forthside Way.

“Join us and make sure your voice is heard.” that’s the call going out to all older people in the Stirling Council area from Marjory russell, newly-appointed co-chair of the older people’s reference group.

the group acts as an advisory panel to Stirling Council and campaigns on issues that are important to older people. it meets four times a year, during the day, in Stirling.

“We identify the gaps in provision of services with the aim of improving quality of life for older people,” says Marjory. “it can be something as simple as getting a good low-cost nail-cutting service in place for older people. often because of arthritis or joint problems we can’t cut our nails easily, and for those who can’t afford a regular private service you can quite quickly become housebound because you can’t get your shoes on to get out and about.

“My belief is that older people don’t want things done for us, and we don’t want decisions made for us.

Speaking up for older people

We want to be active in our lives and our communities, but sometimes we may just need a little help to get there.

“During my term i’d like to set up working groups on issues like health, money, transport and housing. So if there’s anyone out there who is interested, or has a burning issue they would like to discuss, please get in touch. or even better - come along and join in! the more members we have the more we can genuinely speak on behalf of all older people.

We also need more members from the rural areas of Stirling. We know that transport may be an issue, so we’re looking at how we deal with this.”

The group meets four

times a year and campaigns

on issues that are important

to older people.

WIN a meal for four at Nando’s in Forthsidenando’s, at forthside is a great new

place to enjoy delicious food such as

peri-peri chicken.

Just answer this question:

Complete the name of this popular

nando’s dish.

PERi - - - - - CHiCkEN

name

address

Send your entry to: nando’s Competition, Communications and Marketing, old viewforth, Stirling fK8 2et or email stirlingfocus@stirling.gov.ukMeal for four can be either lunch or dinner; to the value of £50; prize valid until end october 2009. Draw will be on 28 May. see website for competition rules

MARjoRY: “WE WANT To BE ACTIvE IN ouR LIvES AND IN ouR CoMMuNITIES.”

for more information or if you’d like

to attend a meeting please contact Claire

McDonald, Support officer, on 01786 443377.

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“When food waste is put in the

general waste grey bin it ends

up in landfill,” Waste Services

Communications officer David riggle

tells focus. “there it breaks down

to release methane and other noxious greenhouse gases that damage our environment. the weight of food waste also counts against the landfill targets we must meet. if we exceed them, the council could face huge financial penalties, which would be bad news for council tax payers.

LoCAL RESIDENT CARoL LIGhTBoDY IS WELCoMING ThE NEW SERvICE.

Please don’t fling out your

... it’s just the thing for making great compost and fertiliserWe May not Be uSeD to thinKing of veggie peelingS, ChiCKen

BoneS, CoreS, uSeD tea-BagS anD other SCrapS anD leftoverS aS

Worth Bothering aBout, But they’re aCtually a very valuaBle

reSourCe – anD greatly in DeManD.

RIvERSIDE RESIDENT CARoL LIGhTBoDY IS WELCoMING ThE NEW SERvICE.

“there are things we can do to help avoid all this. first of all, we can all

cut down on what we throw away by

shopping smarter, planning in advance

what the family’s going to eat, and

thinking up crafty ways of turning

leftovers into tasty meals.

“and now, with the arrival of a new

scheme that’s being introduced this

year across the Stirling area, the

Council is able to collect food waste

separately in mini-bins or ‘caddies’ so

it can be turned into something really

useful - compost and a nutrient-rich

natural fertiliser. “

people living in riverside have been

the first in the Stirling Council area

to take part in the new food waste

scheme.

Q How does this new caddy system

of collecting food waste work?

your recycling team will leave a caddy

for you in your blue recycling box

when the system becomes available

in your area. put in all your food

waste while preparing food and as

you’re clearing up after meals. then

just put the whole caddy in your blue

box on collection day and leave at

the kerbside for emptying as usual.

remember, the blue box and the

caddy are emptied by hand, so please

try to keep them neat.

Q What should i use to line the

caddy?

you can use a biodegradable liner

(20 are supplied with the caddy) or

just some newspaper. please don’t

use carrier bags as liners – we can’t

The new scheme

will be rolled out across

the area over the next

few months. .

only liners marked with the

‘Compostable’ logo can be used to line

your food waste caddy.

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empty the caddy if it

contains anything in the

‘no thanks’ list, including plastic bags

and packaging.

Q Won’t the caddy smell? What

about vermin?

a weekly food waste service means

you’re keeping the materials most

likely to smell out of your grey bin.

also, the caddy can be stored outdoors

without risk of it being broken into by

vermin. placing it in your recycling box

will further protect the caddy and make

it easier for collection crews to empty.

Wrapping the food waste in paper

before putting it in the caddy will

help soak up any liquids, and regularly

cleaning your caddy also helps prevent

smells.

Q Can i get another recycling box or

kitchen caddy if i need to?

additional recycling boxes, box covers

and kitchen caddies are available free.

Call 0845 277 7000 and we’ll deliver

one for you.

Q How can i get more

biodegradable liners?

twenty are supplied free along with

your caddy. if you run out and would

like to keep using them, you can buy

additional 100% biodegradable liners

from www.recyclenow.com or other

suppliers. they are listed under ‘home

composting accessories’. Contact us

for a list of other local suppliers and

details of liners you can use in this

scheme. you can also use a liner

purchased in a supermarket or garden

centre as long as it has the ‘fully

compostable’ symbol on it.

Q i don’t

have time to recycle

- why should i have to do this?

the new system simply means putting

your food waste in the caddy instead of

your usual grey bin and then putting it

out in your recycling box for collection.

By taking part in the scheme you’ll

be helping to reduce greenhouse gas

emissions, and helping the Council

– and local taxpayers - avoid landfill

taxes and potential fines for sending

biodegradable waste to landfill.

Q i don’t produce enough food

waste to have another bin.

no matter how small an amount of

food waste you produce, please use the

caddy to keep food waste out of your

grey bin.

Q Can i compost food waste at

home? yes, if you prefer.

to buy a subsidised compost bin

phone 0845 600 0323 or visit www.

wasteawarescotland.org.uk/compost.

fOcus faCtaround a third of all the food we

buy ends up being thrown in the

bin - and most of it could have

been eaten. this waste costs the

average family around £420 every

year. if this food was eaten instead

of thrown out, the Co2 emissions

saved would be equivalent to

taking one in every five cars off the

road. to find out more visit www.

wasteawarelovefood.org.uk

What goes in the food waste caddy?

cooked and uncooked food

fruits and vegetables

meat and fish, bones and skin

leftovers

tea bags and coffee grounds

newspaper / biodegradable

liners

cat and dog food

used kitchen roll / paper tissue

plastic bags

packaging of any kind

foil or cling film

food and drink boxes

glass or plastic bottles, tins or cans

animal faeces or pet litter

nappies

A small grey

caddy for food waste

will be placed in your

recycling box when the

collection is available in

your area. .

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if you need another recycling box

or lid please phone 0845 277 7000.

pUpilS From riVerSide primary SChool eCo groUp:

CADDIES AT ThE READY

ALL pupILS LEARNED hoW To uSE ThE CADDY To hELp ThEIR

FAMILIES WITh ThE FooD WASTE CoLLECTIoN SYSTEM.

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If you’re job-hunting

your local library is a

great resource. visit

www.stirling.gov.

uk/libraries

a run-DoWn of SoMe of the SourCeS of aDviCe, Support anD inforMation

availaBle for loCal people anD BuSineSSeS.

standing up to the downturn

Money advice

our Money advice team can give

advice on a range of debt issues

including court action or threatened

repossession.

tel 0845 277 7000.

Council Tax Benefitthis helps people on a low income

to pay all or part of their council

tax bills. anyone who is liable to

pay council tax can apply. you can

claim whether you are working,

unemployed, a pensioner or have a

disability. tel 01786 443210.

Housing Benefitthis benefit helps people on low

incomes to pay their rent. you can

make a claim if you pay rent to the

Council, a housing association or a

private landlord, and whether you are

working, unemployed, a pensioner

or have a disability. local housing

allowance applies to people renting

from a private sector landlord. it is

a way of working out new claims for

housing Benefit. tel 01786 443210.

Online benefits calculatorwww.stirling.gov.uk/benefits_

calculator

here’s a quick way to find out if you

quality for housing Benefit or Council

tax Benefit. if you would like to

make an application for benefit please

phone 01786 443210 for a form. usually

benefit starts from the Monday after the

form is received.

Free School Meals free school meals are available to

families on low income. applications

can be made at any time during the

year. free meals will be provided from

the date the application is approved. tel

01786 443210 or download a form from

our website.

debt adviceCall the national Debt helpline on 0808

808 4000 for free, confidential and

independent advice on how to deal with

debt problems. the advisers can provide

expert support no matter how much

debt you are in. you don’t have to give

your personal details, and can remain

anonymous if you wish.

Mental health

information and sources of help and

advice are available from:

www.wellscotland.info and www.

seemescotland.org

you can contact the national

Debt helpline on 0808 808 4000

There are jargon-free

guides on all kinds of money

issues at www. moneymade-

clear.fsa.gov.uk. .

SpRING 2009

“expert help and advice is available -

please don’t hesitate to get in touch.”

21

uSEFul linKS

Jobhunting websites include:

• www.s1jobs.com

• www.forthvalleyjobs.com

• www.scotcareers.co.uk

• www.myjobscotland.gov.uk

or contact your local Jobcentre plus for

assistance tel 01786 424200

www.jobcentreplus.co.uk

Energy-saving websites include:

• www.infoscotland.com/gogreener

• www.direct.gov.uk/en/

environmentandgreenerliving

Saving energy saves money and cuts carbon emissionsHere are the Council’s Energy team’s top tips.1 turning your room thermostat

down 1˚C could save 7% of your heating bill.

2 Check your loft insulation. 250mm is recommended.

3 if your doors are draughty, fit draught excluders.

4 use compact fluorescent lamps. Buy a good quality one from a well-known manufacturer.

5 only boil as much water in the kettle as you need to use.

6 Don’t leave equipment on standby.

7 Check the seal on your fridge or freezer door. a piece of paper should stay in place when the door is closed on it. if it drops down the seal is faulty and will be letting warm air into your fridge.

8 only buy ‘a’ rated equipment for your home.

9 Switch computers off and switch off the power at the socket when they’re not in use

10 instead of having heating and hot water on all the time, try setting the controllers to run for a few

hours in the morning and evening.

FuTuRES FAiR reDunDanCy Support eventStirling Council, along with our Partnership Action for Continued Employment (PACE) partners, aims to help local people recently made redundant to get back into work or training as soon as possible.

following a successful event in the falkirk

area earlier this year, another futures fair

in the Stirling area is being planned.

the event will be free and open to

anyone who has recently been made

redundant or is facing redundancy. there

will be opportunities to meet with local

employers (including those with current

vacancies) and recruitment agencies.

experienced specialist advisers from

the partnership will be there to offer

advice on job searching, career guidance,

training and volunteering options,

business start up, tax, welfare benefits

and money advice.

as focus goes to print a date is yet to be

arranged, but the fair is expected to take

place in May or June, and will be well

advertised.

for more information on paCe

and the futures fair, go to

www.stirling.gov.uk/pace

you can contact the national

Debt helpline on 0808 808 4000

turning down

the thermostat

can save on

heating bills.

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>>

Fascinated by

The Routes to your

Scottish Roots

conference programme

is packed with talks,

discussions and visits -

and lots of opportunities

to meet fellow keen

genealogists.

family history?

HERE’S AN EvENT THAT yOu – anD your frienDS anD faMily -

Won’t Want to MiSS. tinKer, tailor, SolDier, Sailor - routeS

to your SCottiSh rootS friDay 19 – SunDay 21 June, alBert

hallS, Stirling

a family history event this

summer is set to be one of

the Stirling area’s biggest

homecoming highlights of

the year. the three-day conference,

at Stirling’s albert halls, is ideal for

everyone who’s keen to find out how

to go about tracing their Scottish roots.

Day one concentrates on locally held

resources. in the morning session,

Council staff from the registrar’s,

Cemetery office, reference library

and archives will highlight material

they hold and services that they

can offer. the afternoon will feature

talks on resources which may not be

immediately obvious but which can

help provide background information.

Speakers from the university of

Stirling, the Museum of the argyll and

Sutherland highlanders and the Stirling

Smith art gallery and Museum will

reveal how their collections can assist

in your research.

on day two the spotlight falls on

lifestyles – the occupations which

our ancestors may have followed or

circumstances in which they may have

KEEN FAMILY hISToRY RESEARChERS ChRIS AND WILLIAM DELvE INTo ThE pAST AT STIRLING’S CENTRAL LIBRARY

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There’s a sense of excitement

in the Reference Library when

we are helping someone trace their

family tree and they find a reference

to one of their ‘own folk’ in a street

directory, Census return, old parish

Record or old newspaper.

isabel Kincaid,

reference librarian

fOcus faCt

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found themselves. Speakers include

council staff, a renowned Scottish

author, local and professional historians

and university lecturers.

Saturday evening brings the chance

to relax and unwind with a glass

of wine and a buffet supper at

the Smith. travellers’ Songs and

Stories will be sung and related

by Jess Smith, one of Scotland’s

best-known authors. Born into

a travelling family, Jess is an

acknowledged expert in traveller

lore as well as a great singer.

She is also one of our guest

speakers.

the conference ends on Sunday 21

June with a half-day session looking

at the significance of graveyards to

the family history enthusiast. experts

will examine important aspects of

graveyard culture including the garden

cemetery movement and gravestone

symbolism, and there will be a focus

on Stirling’s

own old town

Cemetery,

which has

recently

undergone a

restoration programme.

in the afternoon volunteers will lead

walks through the old town Cemetery

and give information about some

of those who rest there. for safety

reasons, numbers will be limited for

the walks. Bookings can be made at

the Conference.

family history societies will be in

attendance throughout the conference

with their stalls of specialist books and

other materials.

for details of prices and booking, visit

www.homecomingstirling.com

Elma Lindsay’s Casebook

local history officer elma lindsay

loves the challenge of some family

history detective work. here are a

couple of Stirling area-linked stories

from her ‘case file’...

“i received an email from a

Bannockburn-born lady, now living

in australia, who has just started to

research her local roots. i was able to

find several newspaper items about

her grandfather, as he was awarded

the Distinguished Conduct Medal in

the first World War. one of these, his

obituary, had a photograph of him

and another gave a verbatim account

of a speech he made when he was

presented with a silver tea service by

the then Stirling town Council.”

“an american lady who visited Central

reference library about two years ago

found a reference to the reverend

robert frew (minister of St ninians

united presybyterian Church 1835

– 1910) in her great-grandfather’s

obituary. i showed her a photograph

of Mr frew and she almost fell off her

chair with astonishment. ‘that picture

hung on my grandmother’s wall all

my life,’ she said, ‘and no-one knew

who he was. that also explains why

my grand-mother’s middle name was

frew.’ Mystery solved!”

We’re hoping visitors from all over the uK and

beyond will come to discover their family stories

and take the opportunity to get to know the Stirling

area and explore Scotland’s heart.

tinKer, tailOr, sOldier, sailOr - routeS to your SCottiSh rootS

friday 19 – sunday 21 June, alBert Halls, stirling

Scotland’s people is the

government source of family

history data for scotland, with

over 50 million records to access.

Discount vouchers for using the

Scotland’s people database are

available from libraries. visit

www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk

ELMA LINDSAY, LoCAL hISToRY oFFICER

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Two huge projects are now underway

of the Stirling area.

which will shape the future

the local development Plan

(expected to be ready in 2012)

and local Housing Strategy (due

2010) are now underway and will

play a key role in shaping our

surroundings and quality of life,

and those of future generations.

FOCuS ASkEd PRiNCiPAl PlANNiNg

OFFiCER ClAiRE MilNE FOR THE

BACkgROuNd.

Claire, why are these two projects so important?Development decisions can be irreversible, and depending on

their nature, scale and location they can have a real impact on the lives of local people and communities. So it’s really important that everyone has an opportunity to contribute.

Can you explain more about the local development Plan? the plan will guide what development can take place, and where, for the next 20 years. it will deal with a whole range of land use issues including new housing, shopping, business, industry, transport, recreation, built and natural heritage, right across the Stirling area.

And what about the local Housing Strategy?the supply and quality of housing is vital to the economic success of Stirling, the ability of people on low incomes to put a roof over their head, and the long-term sustainability of the area. the local housing Strategy will look at the extent and type of housing need and demand, and will set out Stirling Council’s vision – local people’s vision - for the future of all types of housing.

Who are you keen to get involved?

We want to involve as many people

and groups as possible in preparing

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What kind of place would you like our area to be?

Stirling Local

Development plan and

Local housing Strategy

will shape the future of

the Stirling Area. CLAIRE MILNE: WE WANT To INvoLvE AS MANY pEopLE AND GRoupS AS poSSIBLE

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Know your housing options

these documents, and we’ll be setting

up training, workshops and public

exhibitions over the coming months.

So what’s your big message?

these two huge projects are about

our future - and that of generations to

come - so make sure you have your

say. please get involved – and make a

difference!

FiNd OuT MORE

local development Plan Claire Milne,

01786 442522, email: ldp@stirling.gov.uk

web: www.stirling.gov.uk/localdevplan

local Housing Strategy Margaret

turner, 01786 443093, email: lhs@

stirling.gov.uk, web: www.stirling.gov.

uk/housing

Jenny ross and Carol herity will

liaise with the homelessness team,

area housing teams and landlord

registration team to tackle housing

concerns.

“We’ll be listening to people

who may be in difficulty and

working through housing options

with them, offering practical

suggestions, says Jenny. “the

jENNY AND CARoL CAN hELp You DECIDE oN AN ACTIoN pLAN

What kind of place would you like our area to be?

E-planningNow you can make Planning

Applications and Appeals on our

website at

www.stirling.gov.uk/onlineplanning

this new service:

• speeds up the processing of

applications

• means consistent and easy-to-

use forms

• saves time and money

• does away with the need for

scanning paper copies of plans.

e-planning is part of the wider

agenda to improve Scotland’s

planning system by strengthening

the involvement of communities,

speeding up decisions and better

reflecting local views. aim is to develop a step-by-

step action plan tailored to each

individual person which can

help them sort through their

problems,” adds Carol.

the officers can also help you

get in touch with specialist

services such as money advice

and income maximisation, and

will be working with other teams

and partner agencies.

WorKing to help prevent hoMeleSSneSS aCroSS the Stirling

CounCil area iS the Key taSK for tWo houSing optionS

offiCerS Who reCently JoineD the CounCil.

new legal rules now mean that

if you’re selling your house you

need to arrange a home report

before you begin marketing your

property.

A Home Report is made up of:

• a Single Survey report

(including an energy report)

and

• a property Questionnaire.

the trading Standards team

is enforcing these new rules.

“We’re committed to protecting

the interests of consumers when

buying, selling or letting property”,

says trading Standards Service

Manager neil Chalmers. “We’ll fully

investigate any complaints, and

will issue fixed penalty notices

where necessary.”

for full details visit www.scotland.gov.

uk/home-report

home report

Zoe taylor and gary airnes, Stirling’s

Members of the Scottish youth

parliament, have been working with

the Council, Community planning

partnership and other partners to

make progress on the issues which

came out tops in a recent survey of

local young people.

The young people wanted action on:

• things to do - more things to do

that are relevant, local and good

value for money

• alcohol - increased awareness and

action on alcohol issues affecting

young people

• leisure and sport - increased and

talKing up for anD talKing With loCal young people

better facilities

• drugs – a reduction in the numbers

of young people affected

• environment - Stirling’s

environment to be green, clean

and beautiful.

a youth voice network is now

being set up to help Zoe and gary

represent the views of young

people more effectively.

Zoe and gary are working with

Stirling’s Community planning

partnership on ways to help young

people have a real say in decision

making. issues the MSyps will be

focusing on include alcohol and

young people, leisure and sport,

transport, and affordable access for

young people to Stiring’s new Sports

village.

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Zoe and gary are our mSyps

The more young people

get involved, the louder the

youth voice will be.

STIRLING’S MSYpS : hELpING YouNG pEopLE BE hEARD

fOcus faCt

The Youth parliament

is designed by young

people and led by

young people.

• More than 2000 young people

in Stirling voted on 29 May last

year when gary and Zoe were

elected.

• almost 10,000 young people

voted in the 2007 Scottish youth

parliament elections.

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fOcus faCtS

SpRING 2009

The more young people

get involved, the louder the

youth voice will be.

STiRliNg youth voiCe

Zoe and gary are supported in their

role as MSyps by Stirling Council

youth Services and Stirling youth

voice.

Stirling youth voice encourages

young people to have their say in

local, national and international

politics in a way which is

representative of young people’s

views, needs and issues.

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 and have your say, please

contact:

zoe.taylor.msyp@sypmail.org.uk

or gary.airnes.msyp@sypmail.org.uk

or get in touch with

youth ServiCeS on 01786 432 211

visit: www.stirlingyouthvoice.bebo.

com or www.youngscot.org.uk/

stirling

Don’t leave your X behind!

“yOuR life, yOuR communityyOuR council, yOuR right to be heard”

hoMeleSSneSS HElPyou don’t have to be living on the

street to be homeless. Someone who’s

sleeping on a friend’s sofa or living in

over-crowded accommodation that’s

affecting their health is also homeless.

So is a person who may be at risk of

losing their home because they can’t

pay the rent or mortgage.

“people can face losing their home for

all sorts of reasons, like the loss of a

job or the breakdown of a relationship,”

says homelessness Service Manager

Simone greenshaw. “talking to an

adviser to work out the best solution to

suit your circumstances is the first step.”

the homelessness team provides

advice and information for people who

are homeless or likely to become so

within two months. and for council

tenants who may be struggling to pay

rent, local housing officers can give

information about council housing and

support.

if you’re worried about homelessness,

please don’t delay. Contact the team on

0845 277 7000 or 01786 432400 Mon

- fri 9am to 5pm (there is also an out of

hours response for emergencies.)

MaKe Sure you have your Say in the

european parliaMent eleCtionS on

4 June.

research shows that students, home-movers

and holiday-makers are some of the groups

who tend to forget to either register or take

advantage of postal voting - and so miss out

on the opportunity to vote.

you can register to vote if you are 16 or

over and a British, irish, eu or qualifying

Commonwealth citizen. Qualifying

Commonwealth citizens have leave to enter

or remain in the uK, or do not require such

leave.

registration closes on 19 May and forms

are available for download from www.

aboutmyvote.com

Scotland is one of 12 electoral regions in the

uK, and has six Members of the European

parliament (MEps)

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it now sits alongside a new

Customer Contract which explains

what standard of behaviour our

employees are entitled to from

customers.

together, the Code and the

Contract summarise the rights and

responsibilities of both people

working for the Council and

people using our

services.

the Customer

Contract follows

guidance from

the Scottish

public Services

ombudsman

and the Scottish government’s

prevention of violence at Work

group, and was written after

consultation with a wide range of

people and organisations.

28

We’re

listening to your

TalkbackTalkback is our comments and

complaints scheme. it lets us

know how our customers feel

we’re doing – the good and

the bad – so we can improve

services.

here are some recent examples

of how your talkback comments

or complaints have led to a more

helpful service and smarter ways

of working:

• signage for and lighting of

the access route for customers

who have a disability has

been improved at the Municipal

Buildings in Stirling, and the

cleaning schedule for the route

has been revised.

• customers who are making a

council tax arrears payment

through our contact centre are

now asked if they would like to

discuss their account with the

arrears team, who can offer

help and advice.

• the form for transferring or

assigning a council tenancy to

someone else, or for arranging

the succession of a tenancy,

now explains that it is an

application form, and that

the details given need to be

checked before a decision can

be made.

• the application form for sub-

letting a council tenancy now

explains that sub-letting the

property may affect any future

right to Buy application.

our CuStoMer Care CoDe SetS out for CuStoMerS the StanDarDS

of ServiCe they Can eXpeCt froM Stirling CounCil eMployeeS.

A new contract with our customers

talkback forms are available

from all Council offices or at

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www.stirling.gov.uk (click on ‘contact us’)

29

your Councillors

phone 0845 277 7000

Cllr Margaret Brisley labourbrisleym@stirling.gov.uk

Cllr Alasdair MacPherson Snpmacphersona@stirling.gov.uk

Pending by-election

Ward 7 Bannockburn

Cllr Tony Ffinch

Conservativeffincht@stirling.gov.uk

Cllr Paul Owens

labour owensp@stirling.gov.uk

Cllr Fergus Wood

Snp woodf@stirling.gov.uk

Ward 1 trossachs and teith Ward 2 forth and endrick Ward 3 Dunblane and Bridge of allan

Cllr Alistair Berrill

Conservativeberrilla@stirling.gov.uk

Cllr graham lambie

Snplambieg@stirling.gov.uk

Cllr Colin O’Brien

labourobrienc@stirling.gov.uk

Cllr Callum Campbell

Conservativecampbellc@stirling.gov.uk

Cllr Colin Finlay

labour finlayc@stirling.gov.uk

Cllr david goss

lib Demgossd@stirling.gov.uk

Cllr graham Houston

Snp houstong@stirling.gov.uk

Ward 4 Castle Ward 5 Stirling West

Cllr John Hendry

labourhendryj@stirling.gov.uk

Cllr graham Reed

lib Demreedg@stirling.gov.uk

Cllr Jim Thomson

Snp thomsonj03@stirling.gov.uk

Cllr Neil Benny

Conservativebennyn@stirling.gov.uk

Cllr Scott Farmer

Snp farmers@stirling.gov.uk

Cllr Andrew Simpson

laboursimpsona3@stirling.gov.uk

Cllr Corrie McChord

labour mcchordc@stirling.gov.uk

Cllr Steven Paterson

Snppatersonst@stirling.gov.uk

Cllr ian Brown

lib Dem browni@stirling.gov.uk

Ward 6 Stirling east

www.stirling.gov.uk/councillors

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S C O T L A N D ’ S H E A R T

S C O T L A N D ’ S H E A R T

S C O T L A N D ’ S H E A R T

S C O T L A N D ’ S H E A R T

30

on waste

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Team

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Number crunching

Stirling Council, viewforth, Stirling fK8 2et phone: 0845 277 7000email: info@stirling.gov.uk text: 0771 799 0001 web: www.stirling.gov.uk

collection day in your area

at www.stirling.gov.uk/my/bins

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Number Crunchingalmost 16,000 household uplifts

carried out on an average day

43 % of waste currently recycled

19,000 tonnes of domestic

mixed waste collected 2008 – 09

50% the amount by which we

must reduce landfilled waste to

meet our 2025 target

30 waste collection vehicles

covering the Stirling Council area

250 estimated number of years

it takes for one plastic carrier bag to

decompose in landfill

75 C the temperature Stirling

Council’s Castle Compost reaches

during the production process

1000m3 gas burned off every

hour from our landfill site

80 percentage of local people who

said in the Stirling Council residents

Survey they feel satisfied or very

satisfied with our recycling service

8,000 tonnes of green waste

and cardboard which we collect

from brown bins, turn to compost

and give away free each year.

spotlight

My workplace: i’m out and about

all the time, but my base is new

viewforth. the plants on my office

window ledge are planted in the

Council’s Castle Compost - and

judging by the size they’ve grown,

it seems to be working a treat.

My roots: i grew up in the Stirling

area, and studied at Stirling

university.

My team: We aim to reduce the

amount of rubbish going to landfill

sites by encouraging everyone

to recycle as much as possible.

Waste Services managers and

workforce work well together,

and we’re committed to

providing a dedicated frontline

service for local people.

My motivation: our generation has

the chance to protect the planet for

future generations. it’s challenging

– but extremely worthwhile.

My goal: if we keep working in

partnership with local people to

reduce the waste going to landfill,

we can lower landfill gas emissions -

and radically reduce Stirling’s carbon

footprint.

in the firSt of a neW SerieS We go BehinD the SCeneS at WaSte

ServiCeS With Manager DaviD hopper.

Check if it’s a brown or grey bin

WoRKING To REDuCE ThE WASTE GoING To

LANDFILL

DAvID: A WoRThWhILE ChALLENGE