Councillor Adrian Mahoney (43) has been re-selected to stand in the Bo’ness and Blackness ward, alongside David Aitchison (44), the Labour candidate in last year’s by-election.

Councillor Mahoney, of Craigallan Park, Bo’ness, is the convener of economic strategy and development at the Council and convener of leisure, tourism and community. He is also the joint depute leader of the Council. A former journalist, he runs a PR and marketing business in the town.

Mr Aitchison, who lives in Douglas Place, Bo’ness, works as a day centre officer for West Lothian Council in Livingston, supporting adults with physical and learning disabilities.

In the Upper Braes ward – which covers Whitecross – sitting Councillor John McLuckie will be defending his seat for Labour. Councillor McLuckie (57), lives in Rashiehill Road, Slamannan, and is vice-convener of the Council’s planning committee. He also serves on the board of Falkirk Environment Trust.

He will be joined on the campaign trail by co-candidate Laura Duncan, the daughter of local MP Michael Connarty. Cllr Stephen Fry, the other existing Labour councillor for the area, is standing down at the election.

May’s vote will be run under the single transferable vote system. This asks electors to rank candidates in order, putting 1 beside their first choice, and so on.

>> LABOUR’S CANDIDATES FOR THE 2012 ELECTIONS IN FULL >>

The candidates are pictured above at the famous Falkirk Wheel.

The election will see three existing councillors leave the Labour benches of Falkirk Council. Councillors Alistair McNeill and Stephen Fry are standing down for personal reasons. Councillor Joe Lemetti was not selected by local party members to re-contest his seat in Falkirk for Labour.

Margaret Doran, chair of Linlithgow and East Falkirk Constituency Party, said: “Labour councillors in Falkirk have achieved much in the past five years, despite an SNP government who continue to freeze and squeeze local authority budgets whilst centralising more power in Edinburgh. These 16 outstanding candidates are committed to involving local people in making local decision about how to continue to improve council services.”

Martin Murray, chair of Falkirk Constituency Party, said: “ I would hope that the Labour Party will retain control of the Council as a bastion of local democracy, faced with the SNP’s increasing centralisation of power in Edinburgh. In light of the council tax freeze reducing local accountability, and reducing services, while disproportionately benefiting the rich, we need champions who will put the people of Falkirk Council before separatist and centralist dogma. Our candidates give the public that chance.”

· Ward 1, Bo’ness & Blackness

o David Aitchison, Adrian Mahoney

· Ward 2, Grangemouth

o Allyson Black, Joan Paterson

· Ward 3, Denny & Banknock

o Jim Blackwood, Terrie Hay

· Ward 4, Carse, Kinnaird & Tryst

o Charles MacDonald, Craig Martin

· Ward 5, Bonnybridge & Larbert

o Linda Gow

· Ward 6, Falkirk North

o Craig R. Martin, Pat Reid

· Ward 7, Falkirk South

o Dennis Goldie, Gerry Goldie

· Ward 8, Lower Braes

o Alan Nimmo

· Ward 9, Upper Braes

o Laura Duncan, John McLuckie

Note to Editor: for further information please contact Ian Peattie, tel. 01324 471787 email: ianpeattie@btinternet.com

The company cited “low” demand for its North Street base – which is only open in the mornings throughout the week. It says the branch will close on April 12, with staff moving to other offices.

However politicians, including Labour’s Adrian Mahoney and Michael Connarty, have urged the company to re-think their plans and keep the branch open.

News of the closure came as RBS revealed it was set to give its chief executive Stephen Hester a bonus package of almost £1 million on top of his £1.2 million salary. The campaign website 38 degrees is urging people to sign an online petition asking Mr Hester to refuse the bonus.

An RBS spokesman said of the Bo’ness branch closure: “The branch only opens 15 hours per week at the moment and no jobs will be lost – staff will be moved to other branches in the area. Closing a branch is not a decision we take lightly, however demand for our service at Bo’ness is very low. Many customers are now choosing alternative ways of banking, such as 24-hour online and telephone services and our Smartphone banking app. The nearest branch is Linlithgow and customers can also access their money at any local Post Office. There are also 50 ATMS within around 4 miles."

Bo’ness Labour Councillor Adrian Mahoney urged the bank to re-think its plans. He said: “I think the ‘low demand’ for RBS’s services in Bo’ness might be down to the low number of hours the branch is open. I really hope the Bank reconsiders its position, but fear it will not. In a week when we learn of the obscene bonus being paying to the bank’s chief executive, we see that ordinary customers are on the ones to suffer.

“These are the same customers – or taxpayers – who helped bail out RBS. This branch closure will hurt small businesses in the town and local folk, particularly those without cars, who bank with RBS. For some pensioners a ‘smartphone app’ won’t help. If the bank wants to save money, I’d suggest its chief executive Stephen Hester, could help by refusing his £1 million bonus package. Alternatively, the bank could cut some of its very large corporate sponsorship deals or all those expensive and annoying TV ads, that tell us RBS is ‘Here for You’. Actually, the public were here for them – and this is how they are repaid.”

The town’s Labour MP, Michael Connarty, added: “The closure of RBS in Bo’ness would be a betrayal of loyal customers and businesses. Eighty one per cent of RBS shares are owned by the British people, but it appears that the Conservative/Lib Dem coalition UK Government are not willing to prevent RBS from cutting branches and jobs while paying their executives £millions in bonuses. I will be challenging the Government and RBS on this planned closure and look forward to the local representatives at all levels working together on behalf of the people of Bo’ness.”

Related on www.scottishlabour.org.uk: SALMOND’S SILENCE ON RBS BONUS IS DEAFENING – JAMIESON

The event will take place in the Bathgate Golf Club, off Edinburgh Road, EH48 1BA. Tickets are priced £12. They are available from Harry Cartmill on 07564377855 or from Michael Connarty MP’s offices at Kerse Road, Grangemouth, or Hopetoun Street, Bathgate.

- MENU -

Scots Broth

followed by the finest

Haggis, Neeps and Tatties

– 0 –

• Chairperson: Margaret Doran, CLP Chair
• Address to the Haggis – Kenny Paton
• Selkirk Grace – Cllr Allyson Black
• Immortal Memory – Proposed by Cllr Bruce Ferrie
• Toast to the Lassies – Cllr Jimmy Swan
• Reply to the Toast to the Lassies – Cllr Cathy Muldoon
• Burns Poetry Recited by – Allister Mackie and Neil Findlay MSP
• Burns Songs Sung By – Cllr Lawrence Fitzpatrick, Cathy Peattie and Lorraine Summers
• Vote of Thanks – Harry Cartmill

MANIFESTO CONFERENCE ON JANUARY 15: The party will also host a Manifesto Conference in the Camelon Labour Club, Nailer Road, Camelon, on Sunday, January 15, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The keynote speakers will be Sarah Boyack MSP, the shadow local government minister, and Cllr Craig Martin, leader of Falkirk Council. Again, this meeting is open to all local Labour Party members. To find out more, email:
info@bonesslabour.org.uk. Alternatively, call 01506 823714.

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 100^th 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

Bo’ness Labour Councillor Adrian Mahoney said: “The scheme is a great idea to help empower communities and work with the Council to make improvements.”

Members of the authority’s leisure, tourism and community committee endorsed the area’s tourism action plan for 2012 at a meeting this week.

But councillors also expressed concern at the results of a survey carried out at the Falkirk Wheel – and asked for a more detailed “exit” survey to be carried out next Easter. Politicians are keen to understand how to temp people from the Wheel – the area’s biggest attraction – to other facilities.

Members were told plans for the year ahead would focus on key visitor attractions, local infrastructure, marketing and partnership initiatives.

A number of projects are planned in the Bo’ness area.

• The Historic Hippodrome Cinema will celebrate its 100^th birthday with a special event in March 2012, followed by a Festival of Silent Cinema a few days later.
• The Hippodrome’s architect Matthew Steele will be celebrated as part of an architecture exhibition at Callendar House in Falkirk.
• The replica of the Bridgeness Roman Slab from Bo’ness will be installed off Harbour Road to promote the Roman Antonine Wall.
• New disabled toilets will be installed at Kinneil Museum. New toilets will also be installed at Bo’ness Station.
• Plus new signage will guide visitors from the Kinneil Rail Halt to the Foreshore and Kinneil Estate.

Falkirk Council’s tourism convener, Councillor Adrian Mahoney, said: “There’s a raft of initiatives, new projects and celebratory events planned for the next 12 months. Hopefully they should all help to make the area more attractive and inviting to visitors.”

Projects on the ground will be backed by a range of marketing initiatives. The Falkirk area leaflet, produced by the Council, will be revised and produced in French and German.

A new website will be launched by Falkirk Community Trust – now running Falkirk Council’s cultural and leisure facilities on the authority’s behalf.

There will also be discussions with local organisations to put forward a bid for VisitScotland Growth Funding. This could, potentially, boost marketing of the Antonine Wall.

The Council is a key partner in the Forth Valley Tourism Partnership – which runs events and activities to engage with tourism businesses. Work to support the partnership will continue in 2012.

Earlier this year the Council launched new web pages to promote the local area. See www.falkirk.gov.uk/visitfalkirk

Councillors have been told that the torch will visit Larbert, Camelon, Falkirk and Skinflats on Wednesday, June 13, 2012.

Members of Falkirk Council’s leisure, tourism and community committee also heard of other work being done by Falkirk Community Trust and the Council’s education department to develop a “lasting legacy” from the Olympics through local activities.

Committee convener Councillor Adrian Mahoney said: “The Olympics are being held in London, but there are lots of opportunities for local people to get involved. It was great to get an update on this at the committee this week and the report stimulated a lot of debate.”

The Bo’ness Labour Councillor added: “Most importantly, having the games here in Britain will hopefully inspire all of us to be more active and perhaps encourage greater participation in team sports and activities.”

The local appearance of the Olympic torch will be part of 70 day relay, starting on May 19, 2012. Organisers say the Olympic flame will travel an estimated 8,000 miles around the UK in the run-up to the launch of the Olympic Games in London on July 27.

A spokesperson for London 2012 said: “The Olympic Flame will be carried across the UK by 8,000 inspirational Torchbearers each of whom will have a story of personal achievement and/or contribution to the local community. In December this year, successful nominees will be contacted with a conditional offer and final Torchbearer places will start to be confirmed from February 2012 onwards.”

To find out more about the Olympics, visit www.london2012.com

Councillors heard this week that the Bo’ness Community Council received £30,000 from Falkirk  Environment Trust (FET) to install a replica of the Bridgeness Roman Distance Slab at a site off Harbour Road in Bo’ness.

With additional funding from Labour-led Falkirk Council, the replica will be installed by the spring of next year.

Members of the authority’s leisure, tourism and community committee heard than in 2010/11, FET distributed grants worth just under £700,000 – supporting projects valued at more than £4.2 million.

The Environment Trust – supported by the Council and other partners – distributes money raised mainly through landfill tax, including cash raised through the operation of the Avondale landfill site near Polmont.

Bo’ness Labour Councillor Adrian Mahoney, the convener of the committee, said: “Since 1998, FET has been successful in securing and allocating funds in excess of £3 million towards environmental projects. A wide variety of groups – large and small – have benefited from this much-needed support.”

Councillors heard Bo’ness Community Council had been working to produce a full-size replica of the Bridgeness Roman Slab – one of the best Roman relics in Britain. The slab was found in the town in 1868 and donated to the National Museum of Antiquities in Edinburgh. The 9ft wide tablet is now the key Roman exhibit in the National Museum of Scotland in the city.

The Community Council has been working with Falkirk Council, FET and other partners to get a proper copy installed in Bo’ness. The production of the intricate replica is also being filmed by local firm Sanctus Media.

Councillor Mahoney said: “The original Bridgeness Slab is thought to be on of the best Roman relics in Britain. The original is inserted into the wall of the museum, so won’t be returning. Therefore, the replica will be the next best thing to get our relic ‘back’.

“The Community Council has to be congratulated on its project. I’m also pleased Falkirk Council has been able to play its part supporting local volunteers. I look forward to the replica being installed off Harbour Road next year.”

To find out more about Falkirk Environment Trust and its grants schemes, visit www.fet.org.uk or call Arthur Berg on 01324 504816.

Find out more about the Bridgeness Slab:

http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/event/572778/

http://www.bridgenessslab.org.uk