Latest news with #CityBuilding
Glasgow Times
a day ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow City Building whistleblower complaints led to new boss
City Building Contracts has built five primary schools and four nurseries as well as carrying out major upgrades to the Mitchell Library, GOMA and the City Chambers. When Glasgow City Council's audit team investigated the whistleblower complaints however, they discovered 'significant compliance matters covering key governance, procurement and HR practices.' An audit report found concerns with top management's 'culture towards the role of audit and governance.' As a result a new executive director was hired in January from outside the organisation. READ NEXT: Council grant THIS to Glasgow's Citizens Theatre ahead of reopening this week READ NEXT: Man to use walking stick for rest of life after HGV hit him causing bleed to brain The problems have also led to delays with City's Buildings financial statements in 2021 to 2022 being signed, according to a council paper to be presented to councillors next week. As a result of the situation the council and Wheatley housing association, which jointly own City Building Glasgow, decided to appoint an 'external legal firm to undertake a forensic investigation.' A council report said: 'The City Building external auditor signed the 2021 to 2022 Accounts in March 2024. 'Their Annual Audit Findings Report noted that they had 'identified a significant deficiency in respect of the overall control environment within the business'. 'One of the key issues of concern identified by the external legal firm's investigation was in relation to the City Building Glasgow (CBG) Executive Management and its culture towards the role of audit and governance, which was found to be undermining normal audit processes and relationships.' In response to the external auditor's report and legal firm investigation a review of City Building was ordered to be carried out by a newly established Partnership Steering Group. Among actions taken were the appointment of a new boss who began the job in January. Sharon Wearing is now the organisation's executive director. The new boss has been tasked to install a'culture of good governance and compliance within City Building Glasgow, demonstrating improved operational effectiveness and improved financial efficiency.' The Joint Review identified a wide number of changes including improvements covering Audit, Board Governance, HR and Procurement. The review of City Building along with changes at the organisation will be presented to the City Administration Committee on Thursday. Councillors will be asked to approve proposed amendments to the City Building Glasgow LLP Agreement and other legal agreements as well as other changes to how the organisation operates and control arrangements. The council paper said: 'In summary, the implementation of the recommendations flowing from the Joint Review will provide for a sustained and reliable workload for City Building Glasgow which will enable it to maintain a skilled workforce supporting the Members' respective property estates.'
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Council's construction firm criticised in report
Significant flaws were found with the management of Glasgow City Council's construction company, a report has allegations against City Building kick-started a probe, which uncovered problems with purchasing and HR concerns were strong enough that a new executive director was hired in January from outside the organisation as a company have built five primary schools and four nurseries in the city, as well as carrying out major upgrades to the Mitchell Library, GOMA and the City Chambers. However, when the local authority's audit team investigated the whistleblower's complaints they discovered "significant compliance matters covering key governance, procurement and HR practices".An audit report found concerns with top management's "culture towards the role of audit and governance".The problems have also led to delays with City Building's financial statements in 2021 to 2022 being signed, according to a council paper to be presented to councillors later this a result of the situation the council and Wheatley housing association, which jointly own City Building Glasgow, decided to appoint an external legal firm to report noted they had "identified a significant deficiency in respect of the overall control environment within the business"."One of the key issues of concern identified by the external legal firm's investigation was in relation to the City Building Glasgow (CBG) Executive Management and its culture towards the role of audit and governance, which was found to be undermining normal audit processes and relationships." City Building changes In response to the external auditor's report and a legal firm investigation, a review of City Building was ordered to be carried out by a newly-established Partnership Steering Wearing is now the organisation's executive director, having taken on the role in new boss has been tasked with installing a "culture of good governance and compliance within City Building Glasgow, demonstrating improved operational effectiveness and improved financial efficiency".A wide number of changes have since been implemented, including improvements covering audit, board governance, HR and review of City Building - along with details of the changes at the organisation - will be presented to the city administration committee on Thursday. Story by Local Democracy reporter Sarah Hilley.
Glasgow Times
30-06-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Carrick Packaging plans £3.5m Glasgow factory expansion
Carrick Packaging has submitted proposals to build the new manufacturing facility next to its existing factory on Petershill Road, where it has operated since 1970. The expansion is expected to create 10 new jobs, adding to its present workforce of 65. Cameron Kirkwood, production director at Carrick Packaging, said: "Our plan to expand our presence in Springburn is absolutely key to our future ability to serve the growing public and private sector customer base which has come to rely on the specialist products produced by Carrick Packaging. Read more: Police race to busy Glasgow street amid 'abduction' Ex-Scots teacher caged for the abuse of 11 boys "Glasgow is our home. "Almost half of our staff live within a two-mile radius of our current factory. "So we want to demonstrate our commitment to the community which has done so much to support our successes to date by making this fresh investment right here where we belong. "We believe that this planned investment in the future of our company is also very much a vote of confidence in our local area and our workforce. "We very much look forward to taking these plans forward as we embark on this next stage in the story of Carrick Packaging." The company provides precision-engineered packaging solutions for sectors including pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, agriculture, electronics, and food and beverage. The new facility will help meet rising customer demand through increased output and productivity. The site for the expansion has been purchased from City Building and the project is currently awaiting planning approval. Maureen Burke, MP for Glasgow North East, said: "Carrick Packaging's plans to invest in Springburn by increasing the size of their factory and workforce is incredibly positive news for the area. "They are an industry-leading manufacturer, with many other industries and sectors relying on their products. "The fact that they do what they do from their main premises in Springburn, while providing so many well-paid, high-quality jobs for local people, is something that the area can be really proud of. "I wish Carrick Packaging well with their expansion plans, and look forward to continuing to support the company as their local MP in any way that I can."
Glasgow Times
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Free exhibitions to open at Milngavie's Lillie Art Gallery
Both exhibitions, City Building by Alastair Strachan, and Young People's Art, will launch on Saturday, June 21 the Lillie Art Gallery in Milngavie. City Building features a series of paintings focusing on Alastair's observations of the world around him. His works include depictions of the tenements and streets of Dennistoun, where he lives, and the centre of Glasgow, which he frequently visits. Read more: GoMA workshop turns asylum seekers' art into postcards and tote bags Metropolis II by Alastair Strachan (Image: Supplied) The paintings, developed over the last few years, began during the Covid pandemic when his world "grew smaller," prompting him to explore his nearby environment more thoroughly. His artwork, which evolved from quick line drawings into small, exploratory collages, is inspired by simple, visual elements in his immediate environment. This exhibition is open to visitors of all ages and will be on display until August 21. Read moreGlasgow shopping centre to host Scotland's first 'shopera' Meanwhile, the Young People's Art exhibition will showcase a variety of art forms, including weaving, drawing and painting, clay work, and an installation. This annual exhibition is set to include works from young artists who attend the Saturday smARt classes at the Lillie Art Gallery and the Auld Kirk Museum. The "bright and exciting" artwork will be on display until August 31. It is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 1pm and then from 2pm to 5pm. The Lillie Art Gallery, run by the East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture (EDLC) Trust, is open Tuesday to Saturday, from 10am to 1pm, and then from 2pm to 5pm, and is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
EDITORIAL: What's the point of having rights if we don't exercise them?
May 9—Labor negotiations are usually confined to the negotiating table, and for a very good reason. When both sides are talking in a serious way, they generally can find avenues to agreement. That's why it's called collective bargaining, a process driven by a mutual goal and the willingness to compromise to get there. But negotiations between Champaign County officials and union employees have taken a slightly different approach. Union leaders and members have appeared before the county board and in public to demand a more generous offers, apparently in the hope that management will feel public pressure and offer more in terms of salary and benefits. Public speech is A-OK, but this is an argument that will be resolved at the bargaining table and not in public. Why? Because most people are not familiar with the issues — What do employees really want? How much does management have to give? — they'll sit it out, perhaps paying some attention but mostly living life in the usual fashion. Whatever their instincts, they don't feel like they have a dog in the fight. They do, of course, because ordinary people pay the taxes that support county government. But it's hard to draw a direct line between a wage agreement and property taxes. Not long after county employees engaged in their public display, there was a similar effort at the City Building in Champaign. An anti-Israel contingent protested in front of the municipal building and later before the city council to complain about the Israel/Hamas war in Gaza. The protesters want the city to condemn Israel, a spokesman complaining that city officials have responded disrespectfully with "one year of silence." Again, this is a speech issue with a questionable goal, much like one earlier that went on before the Urbana City Council. It's been pointless to note, as Champaign Mayor Deb Feinen has repeatedly, that city councils in Champaign-Urbana have nothing to do with a war between Israel and Hamas, and even if the city wanted to exercise some influence over it, it lacks the authority to do so. In their hearts, the anti-Israel contingent has to know that. So what is going on? The answer is as simple as it is clear. Members of these groups are — rightly or wrongly — aggrieved to the point of wanting to have their say in public. The U.S. Constitution grants people individual rights to speak out, and they are exercising that privilege. Their ends may not be attainable, but the means are well within American traditions.
