Latest news with #EastRenfrewshireCouncil
Scotsman
a day ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Scottish start-up is putting a Full Stop to period waste thanks to support from Business Gateway East Renfrewshire
A Scottish business is helping organisations embrace sustainable period solutions, after accessing support from Business Gateway East Renfrewshire's Accelerator Programme (ERA). Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Funding from the ERA programme is provided by East Renfrewshire Council. Full Stop Period Wear was founded by Lynn McGinness, who has worked in the industry for eight years and recognised a growing need for eco-friendly, comfortable and affordable period products. The new business delivers a tailored service for public sector organisations and corporations looking to meet their sustainability goals by offering a greener option for service users and staff. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Driven by a vision for a sustainable future without period inequality, Full Stop Period Wear believes no one should have to compromise on comfort, cost or carbon footprint. Scottish start-up is putting a Full Stop to period waste thanks to support from Business Gateway East Renfrewshire The current line of period pants, reusable pads and storage bags was designed and tested with the goal of exceeding customer expectations. Drawing on years of industry knowledge and careful research, every product is the result of multiple rounds of user testing to refine every detail – from fabric and fit to performance and durability. Dedicated focus group trials are now underway to expand the range further. Having previously accessed Business Gateway East Renfrewshire support for an earlier venture, Lynn was already familiar with the benefits of its free expert services. When an email promoting the ERA programme landed in her inbox, she saw it as a valuable opportunity to propel her ambitions for Full Stop Period Wear forward. Participating in the programme has had a transformative impact on the business. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Accountancy advice helped streamline financial operations, intellectual property (IP) guidance supported the protection of innovative product designs, and IT support strengthened the business's online presence and operational systems. With this tailored service, Lynn has been able to reinforce the strategic foundations of the business and ensure Full Stop Period Wear is well-positioned for long-term, sustainable growth. Lynn McGinness, Full Stop Period Wear founder, said: 'Full Stop Period Wear has been a real labour of love. We were determined to fulfil the vision of providing easier access to superior quality sustainable period products and knew that integrating them into workplaces and communities would be a big step towards that greener future. The support from Business Gateway came at just the right time. It's helped us build a robust foundation for the business so we can focus on what matters most: making a difference with our products. We're just getting started, and I'm so excited about what's to come.' Scott Arnot, Business Gateway adviser, said: 'It's always encouraging when entrepreneurs return to Business Gateway with a new venture, and we were delighted to support Lynn once again. The ERA programme was a great fit to help her develop Full Stop Period Wear in its early stages, and we're excited to see the business grow.'
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Plan to build five-bed houses close to Barrhead town centre
An application for planning permission in principle has been submitted to East Renfrewshire Council to build properties on land to the north-east of Dubbs Road. This land is at the rear of Montfort Gate/Montfort Park and opposite Cowan Park. Ramzan Properties hope to construct five detached four or five-bedroom villas that will sit slightly back from Dubbs Road. The application also outlines proposals for associated access roads, the upgrade of an existing access road and the formation of a passing place. READ NEXT: Project to explore viability of self-driving bus service in Glasgow READ NEXT: Mrs Brown's Boys and Strictly TV stars spotted at plush hotel near Renfrewshire Vehicle access to the development would be via Dubbs Road to the south of the site with two shared off-road driveways. It is planned that private driveways will be located to the front of each house offering three spaces each. The applicant's supporting statement said the development will 'promote town centre living' by providing detached family homes minutes away from essential local amenities, education centres and urban greenspace. They also said the development will 'help meet the local housing needs through dwellings that promote healthy lifestyle and wellbeing' and improve on the wider qualities and character of the area.' 'The preservation of trees and the introduction of new trees on site will support homes built in an attractive natural space and assist the surrounding biodiversity of the area,' they added. The application, which is currently awaiting decision, was received by the council in May and validated last week.
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Major update on new £18m train station near Glasgow
The new stop will be a great addition for residents and for visitors to the area FULL STEAM AHEAD Major update on new £18m train station near Glasgow Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WORK has officially started on a brand new £18.3 million train station. The new rail link at Balgray will serve Barrhead, on the south-west edge of Glasgow, and its growing communities. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 The new station near Barrhead will be on the line from Glasgow Central It will make it easier for people to travel to and from the city for work, education and leisure, while also improving access to local destinations and attractions. Once complete, the station will feature two platforms connected by a footbridge with lifts, along with waiting shelters, ticket machines and secure cycle storage. Margaret Gibb, commercial director at Network Rail Scotland, said: 'Breaking ground at Balgray is a major step forward in improving transport for the Barrhead area. 'The new station will make it easier for people to travel to and from Glasgow, and for locals and visitors to connect with places like Dams to Darnley Country Park. 'It's exciting to see work begin on a project that also supports active travel, encouraging more walking and cycling too. 'We're proud to be part of a partnership delivering real change and long-term benefits for people in Barrhead and the surrounding area.' An 80-space car park at the station will include electric vehicle charging points, with new walkways linking the platforms directly to nearby housing developments and reservoir paths. A new bus turning circle and stop have already been delivered on Springfield Road by East Renfrewshire Council (ERC). The Balgray Station project, which is part of the wider Glasgow City Region City Deal, is being delivered by Network Rail in partnership with ERC, Transport Scotland, ScotRail and Story Contracting. Preparatory work and planning for the station began in October 2023, with the final proposal approved by the Glasgow City Region City Deal panel in September 2024. Laughing gas 'epidemic' sweeping party island with tourists left foaming at mouth, having seizures & permanently scarred Construction will continue into next year, with the station expected to open to passengers in Autumn 2026. Councillor Owen O'Donnell, leader of East Renfrewshire Council, said: 'I'm delighted to see work start on the new Balgray station which will greatly improve transport links between Barrhead and other parts of East Renfrewshire with stations on the Neilston line - Williamwood, Whitecraigs and Patterton. 'Like many of our communities, Barrhead is growing, and this new station will also provide another route from the town into Glasgow. 'We're proud to be working with our partners on delivering this new station which is one of our biggest City Deal projects.'
Scotsman
23-07-2025
- Science
- Scotsman
Virtual Reality Used to Tackle STEM Disengagement in Scottish Secondary Schools
In recent years, people with keen eyes on the educational landscape of Scotland have pointed out the decreasing number of students pursuing careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). They have pointed out that students remain disengaged during the lectures of STEM subjects because it is hard for them to contemplate abstract concepts without visuals. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... To address their legitimate concerns and improve the learning experience of students, different bodies have taken revolutionary measures to introduce virtual reality (VR) based learning or teaching in schools across Scotland. In 2018, East Renfrewshire Council rolled out VR headsets for better learning across all 30 of its primary and secondary schools. Advocating the role of VR in tackling STEM disengagement in Scottish secondary schools. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Understanding the STEM Disengagement Problem in Scotland Secondary School Students at a Robotic Lab According to the report laid out by the Commission on School Reform in 2024, only 40.1% of S4 pupils in Scotland passed National 5 Maths, and even lower pass rates were observed in physics and computing science. This means that more than 50% of Scottish students are falling behind in STEM subjects. The report, titled "Broken STEM," formulated by the Commission on School Reform, also states that only 25.9% of S4 pupils passed biology and 21.6% passed applications of mathematics at National 5 level. These figures show the students' failure in grasping the concepts or ideas due to classical teaching pedagogies and old-fashioned learning practices. Posing a serious threat to Scotland's job market due to the decrease in the number of skilled professionals. How Virtual Reality is Revolutionising STEM Learning? Virtual reality is not just an entertainment technology useful for playing games like cricket and football with an immersive experience. Instead, it's a lifesaver for educationists like Dr. Gabriella Rodolic, who has published a paper on Virtual Reality in Education. It can be used to enhance and improve the STEM concepts learning for students. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad By simulating complex scientific processes, mathematical problems, and engineering scenarios. The Skills Development Scotland (SDS) launched a VR headset for construction learning students. It makes them visualise the construction sites and experience the process without leaving their classroom. It brings STEM subjects to life, enabling students to explore scenarios or environments like the inside of a wind turbine, a human cell, plantation seeds, the mechanism of robots, etc. All in all, it makes learning fun more than a boring transfer of ideas without any visual representation. If you, too, are working on educational dissertation topics related to the role of VR in addressing STEM disengagement among students. Then, consider working with modern pedagogies and educational technologies, sharing platforms like Essays UK and receive expert assistance in writing impact-making studies. Benefits of VR-Based Learning and Addressing STEM Disengagement Immersive Learning Experience for Students VR headsets provide an immersive learning experience to Scottish students in primary or secondary schools by bringing the actual picture of the idea in front of their eyes. For example, if children are learning the science behind plant reproduction. It will make them visualise or observe the whole process along with abstract words. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Increased Student Engagement in STEM Classrooms Students have very low attention spans, and boring traditional lectures about science and engineering without actual demonstrations fail to keep them hooked. But due to the VR headset, students actively participate in the lecture by being part of the process. Improved Memory Retention Among Students It is obvious that you are going to remember the things that you have observed through seeing and reading for longer. Then, the concepts or ideas just heard or read in your STEM Class. Virtual reality is helping students improve their memory in exams. Strong Skills Development Related to STEM Subjects The experience of doing practicals using VR, such as creating chemical solutions without real-world consequences. Helps in strong skills development, not only in concept development, as it happens in traditional teaching. Scottish Schools Leading The Way With VR Castlebrae High School: Introduced a VR system that makes students explore live construction sites to promote careers in construction. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad East Renfrewshire Council: One of the first councils in the UK to roll out VR headsets to all schools. They have invested £ 250,000 to provide over 900 ClassVR headsets to 30 primary and secondary schools. This initiative reported higher engagement and better retention among students. Erskine Stewart's Melville Schools: They have integrated VR into everyday lessons across various subjects, including Language, History, and RMPS. Resulting in better student engagement and learning experience, even when studying abstract STEM ideas. North Lanarkshire: It is home to Scotland's first fully immersive VR classroom, providing students with an opportunity to learn with fun and real-time examples. Conclusion
Glasgow Times
22-07-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Campaigners to challenge Eaglesham battery plant ruling
Mum-of-three Morag Hannan is worried about the possible fire risk from lithium-ion batteries as the 40-megawatt storage plant is set to be installed opposite her home on Glasgow Road. Alongside her husband Craig, they have raised a petition for judicial review against East Renfrewshire Council. The couple have launched a crowdfunding campaign to cover the costs of the action, with almost £3,400 donated so far. Ms Hannan said she has 'many concerns about the safety risk as well as toxic fumes' from the site. She believes her family, and an elderly neighbour, would be forced to evacuate towards a fire, as there is no way out to the back of their properties. But they could become trapped if fire engines need to use a hydrant outside their driveway, the mum said. READ MORE: All the latest changes to Glasgow city centre streets explained GPC 1137 Ltd, a subsidiary of Apatura, had an initial bid refused by East Renfrewshire's planning committee last year, when councillors voiced concerns over fire risk, but a second application was later approved. After that decision, a reporter appointed by the Scottish Government rejected an appeal over the first plan. He found the proposal would lead to 'adverse visual effects in a greenbelt location'. Apatura wants to store surplus energy from the national grid in the batteries, which would then be returned when required. It has said the development will 'support the decarbonisation of the energy industry in the UK'. Judicial reviews focus on the process or legality of a decision, rather than the planning merits of the application. It is understood the review will centre on Cllr Paul Edlin, who the campaigners say was unable to vote at the second planning meeting following a complaint that he had 'prejudiced himself' with comments made about the project at a community council meeting. They believe this wasn't the case and Cllr Edlin faced 'undue pressure' not to attend the meeting, denying him an opportunity to 'partake in local democracy'. READ MORE: This is the plan for this iconic Glasgow city centre building Almost 3,700 people have signed a petition which calls for the decision to be overturned. Council officials are currently investigating the required legal steps and the cost of revoking permission, following a motion from Conservative councillors. They previously had a motion which pushed for revocation ruled incompetent. Ms Hannan said: 'The only remedy available to us is to take legal action ourselves and we are going to continue this fight until the decision is overturned.' East Renfrewshire Council is expected to defend its position. A spokesman said the authority is unable to comment due to the ongoing legal proceedings. Campaigners believe the case could be heard in September. The developers have previously said the application was 'accompanied by a suite of technical documents which demonstrate the proposal will not lead to significant adverse harm'. Ahead of the meeting where planning permission was granted, council officials reported the second application differed from the original as more information has been submitted on fire safety and a water tank is now proposed to be created underground.
