Latest news with #FalkirkCouncil
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Falkirk councillor suspended for three months over 'bullying' email
Billy Buchanan broke the councillors' code of conduct when he asked for advice on "the suspension of an officer" A Falkirk councillor has been suspended for three months after sending an angry email that said he wanted to "get advice on the suspension of an officer" and threatened to involve the police and a solicitor. A hearing of the Standards Commission today (Thursday) found that Independent councillor Billy Buchanan, who represents Bonnybridge and Larbert, had sent an email regarding a member of Falkirk Council' s planning staff that "amounted to bullying". Morag Ferguson, Standards Commission member and chair of the hearing panel, said: 'The panel found that, in an email of 9 June 2023, Cllr Buchanan was disrespectful towards a planning officer of the council. The panel further found that Cllr Buchanan's conduct, in respect of the email, amounted to bullying, even if this had not been his intent.' Members heard that the email, sent on June 9, 2023, read: "I am looking for a meeting with officials and Councillor K to make a formal complaint and get advice on the suspension of an officer pending the outcome of an investigation." The email referred to a controversial planning application that had been turned down by council officers, before Falkirk Council's planning review committee granted permission for the development to go ahead, subject to a legal agreement being signed. Baillie Buchanan told the panel that the application had sparked abuse that had affected both him and his family as well as other councillors involved. When the applicant's agent contacted him to say that the legal agreement had still not been signed months later, Baillie Buchanan emailed officers to ask that the matter be investigated. Several months later, he received another email - this time from a fellow councillor, who was not named - to say that the matter was still not resolved. A senior planning officer replied to advise members that the delay was caused by the introduction of new planning policy by the Scottish Government. But the panel found that Cllr Buchanan then sent an email, on 2 June 2023, to the other councillor and managers from the senior planning officer's team stating that he wanted 'an immediate investigation' into the situation and the concerns expressed regarding the senior planning officer's 'part in the handling' of the application. This was followed by the email on June 9, which suggested Cllr Buchanan was looking for advice "on the suspension of an officer" and referred to getting the police and his personal solicitor involved. He signed off the email saying, "It's scandalous!" Baillie Buchanan insisted that the reference to the police and his solicitor was not directed at the officer but had been because he and his family, along with other councillors, had been subjected to horrendous abuse because of the decision to grant planning permission. Baillie Buchanan said he had "never at any stage accused the complainant of anything" but he admitted it had been frustrating to send a complaint about a delay and "months and months later" to hear the matter had still not been resolved. He told the panel: "What I said, quite clearly, was that I wanted a meeting to get advice. "The reason to involve the police because we had had so much abuse. "I sent the email to try and bring this to a conclusion." But the panel was satisfied that Cllr Buchanan assumed the senior planning officer was responsible the length of time the application was taking. It was also satisfied that he was also suggesting the officer be suspended as a result, noting that the senior planning officer had been removed from the list of recipients in the email chain. The members of the panel accepted fully that Cllr Buchanan was entitled to raise questions about the progress of applications determined by the Committee and to raise concerns - with the appropriate line manager or senior officer - about delays potentially caused by a council employee. But they considered that anyone reading the email would conclude "from Cllr Buchanan's mention of a disciplinary measure, the police, his solicitor, and his use of the word 'scandalous', that he was clearly implying the senior planning officer was guilty of misconduct and or had deliberately done something that was improper or illegal. Cllr Buchanan said he was very angry that the email, marked private and confidential, had been shared with the officer. But members of the panel felt that "Cllr Buchanan should have known it was likely the contents of his email would be disclosed ... given the reference to disciplinary proceedings and seriousness of the inferred allegations about the officer's conduct (even if the full email was not shared)". The Panel agreed that it would be reasonable for the senior planning officer to have interpreted Cllr Buchanan's comments as a threat to contact both the police and an external solicitor about his conduct. Ms Ferguson said that unless there was a suggestion of illegality, an officer's conduct would be an internal council matter and Cllr Buchanan had not provided any evidence of illegality or misconduct. The panel found that Cllr Buchanan "had breached the provisions in the Code that require councillors to behave respectfully towards council officers and to refrain from any conduct that could amount to bullying". The panel agreed that Cllr Buchanan "should have known how to undertake his scrutiny role in respect of the application and overall process and could have asked relevant senior officers to establish whether and, if so why, any undue delays had occurred, without breaching the Code". Ms Ferguson added that they were concerned that Cllr Buchanan had not shown any remorse or insight into how his conduct may have affected others. But they noted that the conduct was limited to one email exchange and felt that a three-month suspension was an appropriate sanction.
Daily Record
a day ago
- General
- Daily Record
Falkirk area primary school will remain closed for at least a year after mortar found to be deficient
Councillors are being asked to agree to appoint a company to manage the project to make the massive repairs A Falkirk area primary school in that has been closed since February is not expected to reopen until summer 2026, after mortar used in its construction was found to be "significantly deficient". A gable wall at Maddiston Primary School - one of Falkirk Council' s newest and largest primaries - was visibily damaged by Storm Eowyn in January this year, but investigations to assess the extent of the damage revealed more widespread problems affecting the entire building. According to a report going to members of Falkirk Council's executive, the mortar used in the construction was "significantly deficient, providing inadequate bonding to the surrounding stone". As the scale of the defects became clear, the decision was taken in February to shut the building and decant around 500 pupils to three primary schools across the district. A report going to Falkirk Council's executive on June 19 will ask councillors to approve a procurement strategy that officials say will allow them to move as quickly as possible to the next stage in the work to repair the school building. According to the report, the cost is estimated be around £5 million and the work is likely to take at least a year. The report explains that "investigations confirmed that the defects were present throughout the building to varying degrees." Since the decant, the report says, substantial works have been undertaken to "expose sections of the external walls, remove defective materials, and allow further intrusive inspections of the building's structural elements. Councillors will be told that intrusive investigations have also been undertaken internally to ensure that all construction defects and wider condition issues are identified while the building remains unoccupied. The report states: "The works required are extensive and complex, involving the removal and replacement of substantial elements of the external fabric, internal structural supports, and remedial works to ensure the building meets current safety, compliance and educational standards." Council officers are looking for councillors to approve work continuing with a company called HUB East Central (HUBco) which is providing strategic support services, including project management, architectural, and structural engineering input. Local members are being asked to agree that the works should progress through HUBco - which has a track record of working with local authorities including Falkirk - with a partner contractor being appointed once the full scope of works has been confirmed. The report says that this approach "is expected to allow mobilisation on site at the earliest opportunity". A construction quality review and a separate root cause analysis are also now underway. The report says these will inform "not only the repair works Maddiston Primary School but also any potential future actions and wider lessons for future capital investment across the school estate". The project board overseeing the works includes senior officers from Education and Place Services and is supported by external specialists. Falkirk Council's head of investment, assets and climate, Paul Kettrick, said: "This has been a complex and urgent response to significant construction issues that have been identified at the school. 'Our focus is on delivering the necessary remedial works safely and to the highest standard as quickly as possible. "The proposed approach will allow us to proceed efficiently while ensuring that upon completion we are satisfied the building is free of defects and meets all structural and condition requirements." The report will be discussed by Falkirk Council's executive on Thursday, June 19 in Grangemouth Community Education Unit, Abbots Road, Grangemouth, at 10 am. It will also be livestreamed on Falkirk Council's YouTube channel.
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Falkirk Council deliver final 'meals on wheels' as service axed in cost-cutting measures
The service was used by just seven people and alternatives will be found for the vulnerable people who depend on it. Falkirk Council will deliver its final 'meal on wheels' this month, when the service stops for good. The service - which delivers hot meals to people who have difficulty shopping or preparing meals - currently, provides 19 meals to seven individuals each week. But that will come to an end on Friday, June 27, after Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership's board took the decision to end the service as part of cost-cutting measures to address a budget shortfall of £21 million over the next three years. The reduction to this service budget every year is £71,880. The partnership says it is working with the people who are affected by the decision and home visits have been arranged with Care and Support at Home staff to discuss alternatives ahead of the service being withdrawn. A spokesperson for Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership said: 'As part of our annual budget setting process, a proposal was approved to provide meals in a different way and achieve an overall recurring saving. "We are supporting individuals to access the alternative choices available to them, which include meal delivery services, community lunch clubs, supermarket delivery services, and household support from local organisations. 'In some cases, individuals can also access hot meals through support from their existing social care provider. We are working with providers and individuals to review their needs and amend care packages if required. 'The decision to move from internal provision of this support was made by our Board during the 2025 budget setting process, which asked all areas of the Partnership to consider how they may reduce costs, do things differently, and contribute to the overall financial sustainability of local health and social care services. 'As identified through our consultation process and equality impact assessment, alternative support is available within the community, allowing this limited internal service to be safely withdrawn.' The cut was part of a recent consultation that involved local people giving their opinions on how the partnership could make the necessary savings. According to Falkirk Council's equality and poverty impact assessment: "Overall, while some respondents acknowledged potential cost savings and the availability of alternative meal options, there was a strong sentiment that any changes to the service must ensure that vulnerable individuals continue to receive nutritious meals and necessary support. "There is a call for integrated community-based services and ensuring that any new provider maintains the standard and quality of meals." The charity for older people, Age Scotland, said Meals on Wheels provides a 'lifeline' to older people. Policy Director, Adam Stachura, said: 'It's concerning to see services like Meals on Wheels set to lose their funding. "We know local authorities are facing impossible decisions at the moment, but this will have a significant impact on the individuals who relied on this service. 'Meals on Wheels is often a lifeline to older people, offering support to those at risk of malnutrition and loneliness who may not be able to cook for themselves and do not have anywhere else to turn. "It is vital that the council works with those affected in order to consider alternatives and protect their access to food.'
STV News
26-05-2025
- Health
- STV News
Police-themed play park named after young officer who died suddenly
The parents of a young police officer who died aged just 28 say he would have thought the police-themed play park that will bear his name was 'absolutely brilliant'. The Aiden Joyce Community Park in Bantaskine will officially open on Saturday, thanks to the efforts of the Bantaskine Residents Association, who pushed to get much-needed facilities for the area. The group's chair, Jacqueline Hannah, says that community police officer Aiden was very supportive of the project, and it is very fitting that all of the good work he did in the area is being remembered in this way. Not only did locals get behind the project by voting for it to get £80,000 of Community Choices funding from Falkirk Council, but another vote confirmed that they wanted it to be named in Aiden's honour. Residents were also involved in voting for the colourful design by Hags, with its special police theme. Aiden's untimely death, on March 7, 2023, came as a total shock to everyone who knew him. A fit and healthy 28-year-old, his death was caused by an undiagnosed anomaly of the coronary artery, and now his parents actively campaign to raise awareness and funds to get young people tested every year. Their charity's banner will be proudly displayed as the playpark is officially opened by Aiden's grandparents on Saturday. LDRS Campbell and Lorraine Joyce (Aiden Joyce's mum and dad) with Bantaskine Residents Association's Jacqueline Hannah and Rhona Webster His mum and dad, Lorraine and Campbell, will be on holiday, so they will join online. But they got a preview of the colourful new park and were in no doubt that Aiden would have given it his approval as they 'cut the ribbon' to mark the occasion. They were also able to hear from Jacqueline just how much their son had meant to the community. During Covid, a group of residents got together to talk about a number of issues facing the community, and Aiden made it clear that he wanted to help and support them. One of the most pressing issues was the fact that there is 'nothing in Bantaskine for the kids to do'. Aiden – along with local councillors Lorna Binnie and Euan Stainbank, who is now an MP – was encouraging 'right from the start' and even helped them fill out the paperwork to get funding. It has taken four years to get to this point, and while the process has sometimes been frustrating, Jacqueline now says the park is 'more than we could ever have hoped it would be'. 'We were just looking for some swings and maybe a wee roundabout, but it is absolutely amazing!' she said. It not only has play equipment for children – including inclusive equipment for children with disabilities – there is also gym equipment that adults can use and a seating area for older people. 'There's something for everybody!' said Jacqueline. There will also be 24-hour CCTV to make sure that it is looked after. Dad Campbell said the family feels 'honoured and privileged' that the park will bear their son's name. 'He just loved his job and being involved with the community,' said Lorraine. The opening event, which starts at 2.30pm, promises to be a real community celebration with snacks for the children, local musicians playing and Police Scotland have promised to be there too. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Record
26-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Young Falkirk cop who died suddenly has police-themed playpark named after him
Aiden Joyce was just 28 when he died suddenly in 2023, and local residents wanted to so whatever they could to honour his memory and the work he did helping local children. The parents of a young police officer who died aged just 28 say he would have thought the police-themed playpark that will bear his name was "absolutely brilliant". The Aiden Joyce Community Park in Bantaskine will officially open on Saturday May 31 thanks to the efforts of Bantaskine Residents Association who pushed to get much-needed facilities for the area. The group's chair, Jacqueline Hannah, said community police officer Aiden was very supportive of the project and it is very fitting that all of the good work he did in the area is being remembered in this way. Not only did locals get behind the project by voting for it to get £80,000 of Community Choices funding from Falkirk Council, another vote confirmed that they wanted it to be named in Aiden's honour. Residents were also involved in voting for the colourful design by Hags, with its special police theme. Aiden's untimely death, on March 7, 2023, came as a total shock to everyone who knew him. A fit and healthy 28-year-old, his death was caused by an undiagnosed anomaly of the coronary artery and now his parents actively campaign to raise awareness and funds to get young people tested every year. Their charity's banner will be proudly displayed as the playpark is officially opened by Aiden's grandparents on Saturday. His mum and dad, Lorraine and Campbell, will be on holiday so will join online. But they got a preview of the colourful new park and were in no doubt that Aiden would have given it his approval as they 'cut the ribbon' to mark the occasion. They were also able to hear from Jacqueline just how much their son had meant to the community. During Covid, a group of residents got together to talk about a number of issues facing the community and Aiden made it clear that he wanted to help and support them. One of the most pressing issues was the fact that there is "nothing in Bantaskine for the kids to do". Aiden - along with local councillors Lorna Binnie and Euan Stainbank, who is now an MP - was encouraging "right from the start" and even helped them fill out the paperwork to get funding. It has taken four years to get to this point, and while the process has sometimes been frustrating, Jacqueline now says the park is "more than we could ever have hoped it would be". "We were just looking for some swings and maybe a wee roundabout but it is absolutely amazing!" she said. It not only has play equipment for children - including inclusive equipment for children with disabilities - there is also gym equipment that adults can use and a seating area for older people. "There's something for everybody!" said Jacqueline. There will also be 24-hour CCTV to make sure that it is looked after. Dad Campbell said the family feels "honoured and privileged" that the park will bear their son's name. "He just loved his job and being involved with the community," said Lorraine. The opening event, which starts at 2.30pm, promises to be a real community celebration with snacks for the children, local musicians playing and Police Scotland have promised to be there too.
