There’s a lot going on just now. Here’s a quick update from the Council and other partners. I hope everyone has a lovely Christmas. And here’s to a happy and prosperous 2012!
Best wishes
COUNCILLOR ADRIAN MAHONEY
Labour Councillor for Bo’ness and Blackness Ward Falkirk Council
Click to see all the info.
** HEALTH NEWS
The winter 2011 edition of Community Health News is now available to read on the NHS Forth Valley website. This edition contains advice on how to stay well this winter. It also includes coverage of the Scottish Health Awards and details the Minor Injury Unit at Stirling Community Hospital.
http://bit.ly/tHM21j
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** VICTORIA PARK, BO’NESS
Falkirk Council was due to start essential tree works in Victoria Park, Bo’ness, this week. The works have been identified in west end of the Park which has a number of informal paths and Stark’s Brae which leads to Links Place. All these paths are bounded by woodland and the works are open the area up remove tree growth that are obstructing these paths. Also in one area of the park which has repeated problems with antisocial behaviour issues because of the dense shrub growth. We plan to open this area up by reducing height of shrubs to reduce problems in this location. Gerry Kane at the Council can give more info – gerry.kane@falkirk.gov.uk
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** TRAFFIC ISLAND, DRUM ESTATE
A new traffic island is being built between the Drum Estate and Old Grahamsdyke. This should slow down traffic on this stretch of road, and also give youngsters going to school a safer area to cross the road. Work has started on site.
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** HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE NEW LOCAL PLAN
A major consultation exercise has been launched to help shape Falkirk Council’s new Local Development Plan – which will guide housing, business and infrastructure in the area from 2014 to 2034. The first stage in preparing the new plan is the publication of the Main Issues Report (MIR) – which focuses on the main changes and key issues facing the area. It also discusses options for future growth and where new housing and land for employment use could be located.
In Bo’ness a community drop-in session is being held in the Town Hall on Tuesday, January 10, 2012 – from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Come along and give your views.
You can find out more about the plan – and read the Main Issues Report on the Council website.
In addition to the drop in events, you can inspect the plans at libraries, One Stop Shops or online at www.falkirk.gov.uk. You can also contact the Local Development Plan Team on 01324 504739 or email: ldp@falkirk.gov.uk
** Other roadshow dates are listed at http://bit.ly/rXwCkR
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GRANTS TO HELP IMPROVE ‘ORPHAN’ LAND
Small pockets of land across the area are looking for some care and attention! If you have time, patience and ‘green’ fingers you could help transform lonely, litter strewn plots of land and brighten up your local community. Orphan Land is a new project – supported by Falkirk Council – which gives the local community an opportunity to take ownership of a piece of unmaintained land that may be full of litter or used as a dog toilet and is in need of some tender loving care. The developments have to be of benefit to the whole community. The Council’s Litter Strategy Team is offering up to £500 of funding to adopt and transform a piece of orphan land.
The funding application and your proposal will be submitted through Falkirk Council’s Community Grants Fund. The application form can be viewed or downloaded from www.falkirk.gov.uk
Alternatively contact Hania Smith on 01324 504628 or email: hania.smith@falkirk.gov.uk
The Litter Team will give you all the support you require throughout the project.
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** CELEBRATIONS AT THE HIPPODROME
The Hippodrome’s Festival of Silent Cinema will return next March – just after the 100th birthday celebrations. Full details are on the Council website. See http://bit.ly/uaXFg7
The cinema has also launched its Christmas programme. See www.falkirk.gov.uk/hippodrome – for details.
To keep up to date, you can sign up to the arts mailing list – useful for last minute alerts and information on future performances.
http://www.falkirk.gov.uk/services/trust/heritage/mailing_list.aspx
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** BOGUS CALLER WARNING
The Council has also issued a warning of its own – over bogus workmen cold calling at local houses. Be aware. See http://bit.ly/vv7wQg
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** CHRISTMAS CLOSURES
Falkirk Community Trust – which runs cultural, leisure and key parks in the Council area – has announced its Christmas closures for 2011. All facilities will operate as normal on Friday 23rd and 30th December 2011.
But keep on file the following changes:
+ Public Libraries
All public libraries will close at 3pm on Saturday 24th December 2011 and will remain closed on Monday 26th and Tuesday 27th December. Libraries will re-open on Wednesday 28th December. Libraries will close at 5pm on Thursday 29th December. All other opening hours will remain unchanged for that week. All public libraries will close at 3pm on Saturday 31st December 2011 and will remain closed on Monday 2nd and Tuesday 3rd January 2012. Normal hours will resume on Wednesday 4thJanuary 2012.
+ Muiravonside Country Park
The Visitor Centre at Muiravonside Country Park will be closed Saturday 24th, Sunday 25th, Monday 26th, Tuesday 27th, Saturday 31st December 2011, Sunday 1st, Monday 2nd and Tuesday 3rdJanuary 2012. The Farm and Country Park will be open during the holiday period.
+ Falkirk Town Hall
Falkirk Town Hall will be closed to the public from Saturday 24th December 2011 until Saturday 21st January 2012 for maintenance. The FTH office will be closed on Saturday 24th – Tuesday 27th December 2011. The pattern will be the same for the New Year, being closed Saturday 31st December 2011 – Tuesday 3rdJanuary 2012.
+ Steeple Box Office
The Steeple Box office will be closed on Saturday 24th – Tuesday 27th December 2011. The pattern will be the same for the New Year, being closed Saturday 31st December 2011 – Tuesday 3rd January 2012.
+ Callendar House / Kinneil Museum will operate reduced hours on Saturday 24th December (i.e. closing at 3 p.m.) The House and Museum will be closed on Sunday 25th – Tuesday 28th December 2011. The pattern will be the same for the New Year with reduced hours on Saturday 31st December (again closing at 3 p.m.); the House and Museum being closed Sunday 1st – Tuesday 3rd January 2012.
+ Hippodrome
The Hippodrome will be closed Saturday 24th – Tuesday 27th December 2011 and Saturday 31st – Tuesday 3rd January 2012.
+ Sport & Leisure Facilities
Football Pitches/Pavilions & Denny Football Centre – will be closed from Thursday 22ndDecember 2011 until Sunday 8th January 2012 inclusive.
Grangemouth Golf Course – will be closed on Sunday 25th December 2011 and will close early at 11am on Monday 26th December 2011. The Golf Course will also be closed on Sunday 1stJanuary 2012 and will close early at 11am on Monday 2nd January 2012.
Zetland Park Kiosk, Callendar Park Kiosk, Par 3 & Muiravonside Country Park Café will be closed on Sunday 25th, Monday 26th December 2011, Monday 1st and Tuesday 2nd January 2012.
Restricted opening hours will apply to the following Centres:
Mariner Centre, Grangemouth Sports Complex, Bo’ness Recreation Centre, Polmonthill Ski Slope, Grangemouth Stadium, Denny Centre, Hallglen Centre, Polmont Centre and Stenhousemuir Centre
- Friday 23rd December 2011 : normal opening hours
Saturday 24th December 2011 : 9am – 3pm
Sunday 25th December : Closed
Monday 26th December 2011 : Closed
Tuesday 27th December 2011 ; 9am – 5pm
Wednesday 28th December 2011 : 9am – 5pm
Thursday 29th December 2011 : 9am – 5pm with the exception of Grangemouth Stadium will open 1pm – 9pm
Friday 30th December 2011 : 9am – 5pm
Saturday 31st December 2011 : 9am – 3pm
Sunday 1st January 2012 : Closed
Monday 2nd January 2012 : Closed
Tuesday 3rd January 2012 : Normal
Wednesday 4th January 2012 : Normal
Schools Community Access will be closed from Thursday 22nd December 2011 until Sunday 8th January 2012 inclusive.
Woodlands Games Hall and Bankier Sports Centre will be closed from Friday 23rd December 2011 until Tuesday 3rd January 2012 inclusive.
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AND finally, the Council has issued its biodiversity action plan for the area. Have a read online. See http://bit.ly/tWQrQl
