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Daily Record
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Stirling schools music tuition in new cuts confusion
Campaigners say proposals to slash the service's budget by £200k were outlined to staff earlier this week without the knowledge of councillors - but council denies the department faces any savings Music tuition in Stirling's schools was this week at the centre of cuts confusion ... just two months after councillors unanimously rejected an option to slash it by £250,000. Staff from the council's instrumental music service were said to have been called to an urgent meeting chaired by a service manager on Tuesday of this week and told that education officers are seeking £200,000 of 'efficiency savings' from the service in this financial year. Specific details of where the axe could fall were said to have been outlined at the meeting. With councillors across the board unaware of the move, questions were then being asked over just how a cut of almost the same level was being brought in 'under the radar' without the knowledge of elected members. But yesterday (Thursday) the council denied any such cuts were being considered. Earlier, one campaigner told the Observer: 'The people of Stirling, through their elected members, have made it quite clear that they value and wish to see the music service remain intact and enhanced. 'Unelected council bureaucrats appear to be wilfully disregarding the wishes of Stirling councillors and are bringing forward these efficiency savings behind the backs of elected members.' A Stirling SNP group spokesperson meanwhile said: 'From what we have discovered, [the 'efficiencies'] could be over £200,000, with cuts to tuition at McLaren, Balfron and Stirling High Schools. 'Stirling SNP councillors remain resolute in avoiding the annual stress to families of such cuts at budget time and indeed our motion to protect music tuition was passed earlier this year. 'As such we are now concerned these proposals, if true, run contrary to this motion with cuts nonetheless being brought in 'under the radar' as 'operational efficiencies'.' SNP Group Leader Susan McGill said: 'The SNP group proposed to protect music tuition for the remainder of this council term, but if this is true, these services won't last past the summer holidays.' Stirling MP Chris Kane (Labour), a former leader of Stirling Council, said: 'Music education opens doors, nurtures confidence, and helps young people thrive. 'I've asked the chief executive of Stirling Council for urgent clarity on reports of cuts to the service. Any decisions must be transparent, accountable, and reflect the clear support all councillors have shown for protecting music tuition in Stirling's schools.' Local Scottish Conservative MSP and Shadow Minister for Local Government & Public Finance, Alexander Stewart, who was preparing to put an urgent question to First Minister John Swinney at Holyrood, said the move 'could have a detrimental effect on music teaching at Stirling, Balfron and McLaren High Schools, in addition to all associated primaries - potentially leaving pupils without a music teacher'. He added: 'Music has long played a central part in Scottish culture and the removal of this service could have a disastrous effect on these children's life chances. 'Also this situation is certainly not in the spirit of the unanimous motion in support of the music service passed by councillors only two months ago, which I welcomed in Parliament. 'So I have written to Stirling Council's chief executive requesting an urgent meeting regarding this awful situation.' As the Observer went to press, however, council leader, Labour's Cllr Gerry McGarvey, said: 'The administration stands by the budget motion of earlier in the year and is concerned that inaccurate information has been circulating.' A Stirling Council spokesperson also denied music tuition was being targeted for savings. They added: 'The 2025-26 budget saving proposal to review the music tuition service (achieving a saving of £200,000 in the current financial year) was rejected by councillors when this year's budget was set and therefore it wasn't implemented. 'All council services continually assess service delivery for improvement and to ensure best value. Work to identify service delivery transformation which may achieve savings is underway across services - but no savings are being taken forward in relation to music tuition.' The music tuition service has been a target in budget options tabled by council officials for savings for a number of years. However, the move has also consistently attracted strong protest and successive council political administrations have baulked at the idea of the cuts. Earlier this year protesting musicians - including teachers, pupils and supporters - struck up their instruments outside Stirling Council's headquarters, helping to cement the message on the controversial budget cut proposals. And ultimately councillors, while entertained by the musicians, were not entertained by the thought of slashing the music tuition budget. Campaigners have argued that such cuts would remove many instrumental music teachers currently working in Stirling schools, with serious implications for the staff concerned and hugely damaging consequences for young people learning music in Stirling. The local campaign against the budget cuts, which attracted more than 5000 signatures, was backed by international composer and former Gartmore resident Sally Beamish OBE. Former Stirling High School pupil and Emmy-winning musician John Lunn - who has composed for hit shows Downton Abbey, Shetland, and Grantchester - also backed the campaign, as did Jeffrey Sharkey, principal of Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Daily Record
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Parking concerns at rural Stirling hotspots raised by MP ahead of summer season
Stirling's MP has called for "clear action" over the issue of cars being parked illegally on roads alongside Loch Lomond and Loch Lubnaig which have both faced long-term issues. Illegally parked cars are causing chaos on roads around rural Stirling beauty spots, with the local MP calling for a crackdown on the issue. Chris Kane MP has called for 'clear action' on any vehicles parked illegally on roads that run alongside Loch Lomond and Loch Lubnaig. The A84 that runs alongside Loch Lubnaig between Kilmahog and Strathyre has had long term issues with cars parking illegally along the banks, blocking traffic, causing congestion and blocking emergency vehicles. Locals have long-term campaigned for this to be cracked down on, calling on Transport Scotland and Police Scotland to closely monitor the area, especially during the summer season where tourists flock to the area. Earlier this month, Police Scotland Forth Valley encouraged road users to avoid the road due to parked cars blocking traffic, in a post on Facebook. The C6 clearway has also had longstanding issues with illegally parked cars. The road which runs between Balmaha to Rowardennan alongside Loch Lomond is a popular beauty spot with Scots and tourists alike, especially during the summer months. Unlike the A84, the road is operated by Stirling Council, and there have been calls for the council to put more resources towards the area to crack down on illegal parking. Mr Kane said: 'Not only is the illegal parking obstructive to locals, causing major disruption, but it is also dangerous, especially when emergency vehicles are unable to use the roads to get to incidents quickly. 'Many constituents have been in touch, concerned with this very serious issue, and I have written to the chief executive of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority to see what action they are taking to assist with this issue. 'Ultimately, the illegally parked cars are coming to use their facilities, and they should be part of the coordinated solution to this ever-growing problem.' Police Forth Valley have asked anyone visiting beauty spots throughout Forth Valley to 'please park considerately', saying: 'The lochs and hills around Forth Valley are a popular destination, and we welcome visitors. 'To ensure everyone can enjoy it safely and respectfully, please remember: use designated parking areas where available; if parking on the road, ensure you are not blocking access for residents, emergency services, or farm vehicles; avoid parking on blind bends or hill crests where your vehicle creates a serious hazard; and 'if in doubt, don't park there'. 'A short walk from a safer parking spot is always better than creating a dangerous obstruction. Let's keep Forth Valley beautiful and accessible for all.' Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority has also pleaded with visitors act sensibly over parking, pointing out that some car parks have already been at capacity in the morning over recent weekends. They added: 'If a car park is full, have a plan B to visit another location. Irresponsible and illegal parking such as verge parking, double-parking and blocking access can lead to Police Scotland and local authorities closing roads, issuing fines and vehicles being towed. 'Please don't be aggressive towards our staff who are simply trying to do their job. This isn't OK and absolutely will not be tolerated. Recent instances of extremely aggressive verbal and even physical abuse have had to be reported to Police Scotland. 'And, if you want to get away from it all and enjoy a quieter area of the National Park, check out our #DifferentAdenture advice at 'With 720 sq miles of wonderful places to visit – you're spoiled for choice.' A Stirling Council spokesperson said: 'We are delighted to welcome people from across Scotland and beyond to enjoy the Stirling area's stunning natural surroundings during the tourism season. However, we continue to urge all visitors to take responsibility and be respectful of other road users by parking in a safe and legal way. 'Please plan your journey in advance and head to an alternative location if it is busy and not possible to park legally. Drivers can and will be penalised for failing to do so. We will continue to work with key partners to support our rural communities and ensure roads are safe and accessible during tourist season.'
Daily Record
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Community activists putting pedal to metal in £175,000 Killin pump track fundraising
The £175,000 track project aims to build the facility both for the benefit of locals, but also to draw visitors and biking enthusiasts to the area. Community activists in Killin are hoping individuals and organisations will galvanise behind their efforts to get a much anticipated £175,000 pump track project over the line. Killin Sports and Recreation Hub, established in 2022, are working alongside the Killin and Ardeonaig Community Development Trust (KAT) and Killin Community Council (KCC) to raise funds in order to complete the project. The track is expected to be not only a popular facility for locals, but could also draw visitors and biking enthusiasts from much further afield. Chris Kane, MP for Stirling and Strathallan, has committed his support. The Hub was set up with the aims of regenerating sports and recreation infrastructure and social inclusion within the Killin area. It recently received a vote of congratulations from Stirling Council for its work regenerating Killin's tennis courts/MUGA pitch and marking 70km of local trails. Now it has its sights set on creating a Pump Track for the local area, which will provide a vital recreational space for their youth and serve as a boost to local tourism, with the nearest equivalent facilities currently over 40 miles away, with no public transport links. Thanks to incredible community efforts, they have successfully raised £93,000 to date, with nearly £10,000 being raised locally. However, for them to finish this project, they still require £57,000 in additional funds. Chris Kane MP said: 'I am very much aware of the demand for greater recreational facilities and cycling provision in Killin. 'I would like to commend the work of the sports hub, the community development trust and the community council on their work already to get this project off the ground. 'I am committed to promoting the fundraising efforts of the project and supporting them as much as I can in my capacity.' David Fettes from Killin Sport and Recreation Hub said: 'The project has been led by Killin Sports and Recreation Hub with great support from Chris McKenna from Active Stirling. 'We are partnered with the Killin community council and the Killin development trust. We have received funds from Sports Scotland and FVL CLLD (Forth Valley and Lomond Community Led Local Development), and locally from Killin Sports and Recreation Hub, Killin and Ardeonaig development trust, Taymouth Castle and many individual small donations with pledges from various local clubs.' They are currently putting applications in to the Community Spaces Improvement Grant and the FVL CLLD funding programme, however, they are encouraging individual donations as well. The new track, within the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, will be accessible from the National Cycle Network Route 7 and local mountain bike trails. There has been strong community engagement with the project, including the design of the new track and club branding carried out in conjunction with Killin Youth Group. The project aims to remove one of the key barriers to taking part in sport and physical activity in rural areas by offering a free accessible venue at the heart of Killin. Anyone who would like to donate to the project, can visit their Just Giving page at
The Independent
12-02-2025
- Business
- The Independent
MPs: Ministers must give protections to creative sector amid AI copyright fears
Ministers must heed warnings from the creative industries over the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on copyright and provide them with legal protections, according to MPs. The Data (Use and Access) Bill was amended by peers in a bid to protect creatives from having their copyrighted work used to train AI models without permission or remuneration. The measures would explicitly subject AI companies to UK copyright law, regardless of where they are based, reveal the names and owners of web crawlers that currently operate anonymously and allow copyright owners to know when, where and how their work is used. Technology doesn't care what or who it replaces, but we should Labour MP Chris Kane MPs made clear their desire for the Government to act, either by retaining the amendments or bringing forward new legislation, when the Bill made its first appearance in the Commons on Wednesday. A Government consultation on the issue is due to close on February 25, with ministers suggesting they may introduce an exemption to copyright law for 'text and data mining'. Labour MP Chris Kane (Stirling and Strathallan) said the amendments supported by the Lords on copyright and transparency 'resonate greatly with me and much of the creative community' as he urged colleagues to 'give them due consideration' at committee stage in the Commons. Mr Kane, who previously worked in broadcasting, welcomed the Government's consultation before adding: 'The concerns of the creative industries must be heard and must be acted upon. 'Copyright protections are not a barrier to AI innovation and competition, but they are a safeguard for the work of an industry worth £125 billion per year, employing over two million people. 'We can enable a world where much of this value is transferred to a handful of big tech firms or we can enable a win-win situation for the creative industries and AI developers, one where they work together based on licensed relationships with remuneration and transparency at its heart. 'Technology doesn't care what or who it replaces, but we should.' Alison Hume, Labour MP for Scarborough and Whitby, said she was a writer on the BBC show New Tricks and episodes of the show are 'being used by generative AI to write scripts'. She said: 'Twice a year, I receive the royalties collected for me by the Authors' Licensing and Collecting Society. 'I am paid fairly for my original work when it is rebroadcast around the world or on digital platforms. 'This week, I discovered that the subtitles from one of my episodes of New Tricks have been scraped and are being used to create learning materials for artificial intelligence. 'Along with thousands of other films and television shows, my original work is being used by generative AI to write scripts which one day may replace versions produced by mere humans like me. 'This is theft, and it's happening on an industrial scale. 'As the law stands, artificial intelligence companies don't have to be transparent about what they are stealing.' SNP MP and musician Pete Wishart (Perth and Kinross-shire) said the creative industries are key to the UK Government's growth agenda, saying: 'What was it – £125 billion to the economy in 2022, providing 2.4 million jobs? That is real growth. The Government's commitment to an industrial strategy includes our brilliant creative industries, but discussions with this industry should focus on how we advance and enhance it Labour MP James Frith 'You do not mess with that and undermine it in the way that this Government might possibly be doing with the watering down of some of the copyright provisions and giving access to generative AI to our nation's creative treasures.' Mr Wishart urged the Government to 'bring it on' if it has new legislation to protect the creative industries, noting the amendments to the Bill before the House must be supported until that point. Labour MP James Frith (Bury North), a former member of the band Finka who once played at Glastonbury, thanked ministers for being in 'listening mode' on copyright matters. He said: 'The Government's commitment to an industrial strategy includes our brilliant creative industries, but discussions with this industry should focus on how we advance and enhance it; we risk, otherwise, making it about how we protect its very existence if we do not take seriously the deep alarm voiced by creators over the threat posed by AI.' Opening the debate, Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said the UK has an ability to support a 'cutting-edge AI sector, with world-leading creative industries at the very same time'. He said: 'Both are fundamental to our future prosperity and our standing in the world. The final framework must reward human creativity and incentivise innovation and promote the certainty required for long-term growth in both sectors 'I refuse to choose between them. 'The final framework must reward human creativity and incentivise innovation and promote the certainty required for long-term growth in both sectors. 'But the importance and the complexity of the issue means it should be considered through the live consultation. 'And as I've said in that consultation, legislation is ultimately likely to be needed.' The Bill as a whole governs a range of data including on births, marriages and deaths, to healthcare, crime and driving licences. It was also amended in the Lords by the Government to ban the creation and solicitation of intimate images of people without their consent following a campaign spearheaded by Conservative Baroness Owen of Alderley Edge.
