Council expands recycling in Bo’ness

LABOUR-led Falkirk Council is expanding its recycling service in the Bo’ness area. From March, residents will be able to use a new black box and textile recycle sacks to recycle even more materials. The sacks and black boxes will be collected on the same day as blue bins are uplifted in Bo’ness (every fortnight).

Leaflets giving more information on the new, expanded service are being distributed over the next few weeks. An awareness van will also be visiting the area to allow residents to speak to staff.

You’ll be able to use the new black box to recycle:

• glass bottles and jars;
• small electrical items (any item with a plug or circuit board) such as toasters, kettles, hairdryers, games consoles, irons etc; and
• batteries (watch batteries, mobile phone batteries, laptop batteries and household batteries (A, AA, AAA, C & D).

You can use special textile bags to recycle:

• clothing;
• shoes (tied into pairs);
• bags;
• belts;
• blankets;
• quilt covers, pillow cases and sheets; and
• duvets.

You can also find out more by visiting www.falkirk.gov.uk/recycling or call 01324 504444.

Adrian spreads the word

BO’NESS Labour Councillor is the chairman of the Forth Valley Tourism Partnership. He has helped launch a new tourism e-newsletter for tourism businesses in the area. You can read the newsletter yourself on this site too.

New Council leader

Labour Councillor Craig Martin has been appointed Leader of Falkirk Council, succeeding Councillor Linda Gow who stood down last week.

Bo’ness Labour Councillor Adrian Mahoney has taken over from Councillor Martin as Convener of the Economic Strategy and Development Committee. He also retains his current role as Convener of the Leisure, Tourism and Community Committee.

The appointments were confirmed at a meeting of the full Council today (Thursday).

Branch meeting on February 11

THE Bo’ness Branch of the Labour Party is holding its next members’ meeting in the smaller community room upstairs at Bo’ness Library on Thursday, February 11, from 7.30 p.m. All local party members are invited to attend. (Please note that this replaces the scheduled meeting for the end of January, which will not take place). Find out more about the party online at www.bonesslabour.org.uk  – or email: info@bonesslabour.org.uk

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Advice on offer as snow continues

SNOW and cold weather continues to cause problems for people across the Falkirk Council area. The Council is updating its website daily with the latest information, including advice on roads and travel.

Today (Tuesday), Robert McMaster, head of roads at the Council, said: “A band of powdery snow giving deposits of one to two inches passed over the Falkirk area overnight.  This snow, allied to temperatures of minus 9 degrees caused difficult driving conditions particularly in the west of the area.  Gritting teams were out treating Primary one roads and footpaths from 5 am. Teams from roads, building maintenance and grounds maintenance are working to treat footpaths and roads within the area.  Grounds maintenance will be filling grit bins, building maintenance are tackling footpaths around the high flats, and roads teams will tackle complaints with particular attention to access to shopping areas and schools.”

Keep up-to-date at www.falkirk.gov.uk

The Met Office also posts regular updates – and weather warnings – on its website. Visit: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/ta/ta_forecast_weather.html

The Direct Gov website is also providing useful advice in the bad weather http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_174618

Bin collections

BIN collections are trying to get back to normal, with blue and green bins being collected on a fortnightly basis. So if your blue wheelie bin would be put out this week – put your blue bin out as normal (and green bin next week).

If the bin isn’t collected on time, due to bad road conditions, leave it out. Spare crews are going round trying to catch up with collections, so may come round to get it.

Falkirk Council’s neighbourhood services director Stuart Ritchie said: “As you know most main roads are snow/ice free. However most of the side roads (where the majority of our bins are collected from ) are more difficult to access due to snow/ice. It is also worth bearing in mind that crews have to walk on the pavements/roads pulling and pushing bins and its not just an issue of vehicular access.”

Cold weather payments

If you’re on a low income, a Cold Weather Payment may be available to help you for each week of very cold weather in your area. You may be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment for each week of very cold weather in your area if you get Pension Credit or income-related Employment and Support Allowance with a support or work related activity component in the main phase. 

The Met Office have notified the Department for Work and Pensions that 2 periods of very cold weather have occurred in the EH51 (Bo’ness) postcode area between 1 November 2009 and 30 December 2009, triggering Cold Weather Payments. The Direct Gov website has more information on this, plus a postcode checker, to see if you’re eligible.

Portions of this material © Crown Copyright.

Big movies for the New Year at the Hippodrome

NEW Year brings new movies, big name stars and possible Oscar contenders to the historic Hippodrome Cinema in Bo’ness.

Scotland’s first purpose-built picture palace welcomes 2010 with a glittering programme that promises something for everyone.

Councillor Adrian Mahoney, the convener of leisure, tourism and community at Falkirk Council – which runs the cinema – said: “The Hippodrome is a fantastic facility, showing great films, using the latest technology in a lovingly-restored building.

“If you haven’t made a visit yet – make it a New Year’s resolution to go. The Hippodrome can brighten up the dullest winter day . . . or evening.”

Films bidding for honours in the Golden Globes – often seen as indicators for the 2010 Oscars – are peppered throughout the programme.

George Clooney’s ‘Up in the Air’ – nominated for six Globes – opens on February 20. Clooney stars as a smooth talking management consultant hell bent on building up 10 million frequent flyer miles. It’s in the running for Best Picture and Best Actor awards.

Christmas wishes from Harriet Harman

 

I want to send you my best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.

It has been a great pleasure and privilege to continue to be Labour’s Deputy Leader and to be able to go all around the country – England, Scotland and Wales – meeting up with and working with so many of you.

What links us all together is our belief in the values and aims of the Labour Party.

It will be that commitment that will motivate us to redouble our efforts next year as we face a historic General Election. We know we face a tough battle – in the shadow of the global economic crisis and MPs expenses.

But we will fight back and we will fight to win because this country needs a further term of Labour Government.

* To ensure that economic growth is underway and secure,

* To make sure that people have jobs and are better off,

* To make sure that we protect and improve public services,

* To pay back the public debt – with those who are best off paying most.

* And work to tackle climate change and create a fairer, more equal society for everyone.

Labour is the party of people’s hopes. To get on in their lives – not just to get by.

Heavy snowfall hits Bo’ness

SNOW is causing havoc for people in Bo’ness as the adverse weather conditions continue. Kinneil Museum in the town has closed it doors and all nurseries are closed. The weather has even meant the closure of Polmont Ski Centre and Slope. Snow began falling heavily in the area 4 a.m.  Falkirk Council’s gritters were deployed to key priority routes at 4 a.m. and have worked continuously ploughing the main routes.  As snow continued to fall, roads became blocked with traffic – also delaying gritters.

The current band of snow has, in the main, passed the Falkirk Council area. Traffic conditions have also eased. There is no significant snowfall forecast for the rest of the day.

Bo’ness Labour Councillor Adrian Mahoney said: “Repeated snowfalls and sub-zero temperatures have caused considerable problems around the district. I’d encourage people to stay warm at home and not go out unless they have to today. Hopefully the weather will start to improve soon.”

As a result of the severe weather conditions the following arrangements have been put in place.

• Roads – Gritters will only operate in main and essential routes (hospitals etc.)
• Housing Repairs –  Tradesmen will only attend extreme emergencies.
• Refuse collection – This Service is suspended until further notice.
• Pest Control – This Service is suspended until further notice.
• Non-essential service requests will be logged and will be dealt with as soon as possible.

Keep up to date online at www.falkirk.gov.uk

Check the BBC weather site for the latest information

Members’ meeting on Thursday

The Bo’ness Branch of the Labour Party is holding a members’ meeting in the smaller community room upstairs at Bo’ness Library next Thursday, December 3, from 7.30 p.m.  All local party members are invited to attend. To contact the branch, email: info@bonesslabour.org.uk

Classic Christmas at the Hippodrome

A CRACKER of a Christmas has been lined up at the historic Hippodrome Cinema in Bo’ness.

Scotland’s first purpose-built picture palace celebrates its first festive season after a £2 million revamp with a top selection of holiday movies for all the family.

Highlights include Frank Capra’s classic ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ (showing Saturday, December 19), ‘White Christmas’ starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye (Monday, December 21), and the Oscar-nominated ‘The Bishops Wife’, starring Cary Grant (on Monday, December 28).

There’s also Judy Garland in the Christmas film ‘Meet Me In St. Louis’ (December 19) – as well as two showings of The Mariinksy Ballet: filmed live in St. Petersburg performing ‘The Nutcracker’ (showing on Sunday December 20 and Thursday, December 24).

Bo’ness Labour Councillor Adrian Mahoney, the convener of leisure, tourism and community at Falkirk Council, said: “The Hippodrome is a fantastic place to visit this Christmas. This pre-art deco cinema has been lovingly restored and brought back to life. It’s the ideal place to watch some of these classic Christmas movies from the golden age of Hollywood – or enjoy a fantastic ballet in beautiful surroundings. It should be the top of everyone’s Christmas list this holiday season.”

The A-listed building was opened in 1912. It’s a rare example of pre-art deco cinema architecture, and Scotland’s oldest purpose-built cinema.

Having undergone extensive restoration as part of the Bo’ness Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI), The Hippodrome has seen the 1926 decorative scheme reinstated, new seating installed and original seating restored. It’s also had digital and 35mm projectors fitted – as well as a state-of-the-art sound system – to offer the best cinema experience. It was re-opened as a cinema in April this year.

As well as classic films, the Hippodrome is also playing host to fantastic new releases, starring some of the biggest names in Hollywood.