Latest news with #GlasgowCityCouncil
STV News
10 hours ago
- STV News
Council to review how abuser missed rehab appointments before killing partner
Glasgow City Council will review how a serial domestic abuser was able to miss rehabilitation appointments before killing his partner. Mark Keel murdered mother-of-four Maxine Clark at her home in Riddrie in 2024. Keel pleaded guilty to a murder charge last month and was jailed for life at the High Court in Glasgow on Tuesday. Before Ms Clark's death, Keel had a history of domestic abuse and was deemed to be at high risk of offending again. He was also the subject of separate non-harassment orders banning him from approaching or contacting three former partners. Keel was referred to the Caledonian Programme, a behavioural programme run by the local authority designed to rehabilitate male perpetrators of domestic abuse. The programme has been independently accredited, and a requirement of receiving the programme is that an individual is subject to a court order of at least two years' duration. However, Keel's attendance at the Caledonian Programme was described as 'sporadic'. Following his sentencing, Glasgow City Council has said it is planning a case review examining how the serial abuser was able to miss social work appointments before killing Ms Clark. A Glasgow City Council spokeswoman said: 'We plan to carry out with our partners a case learning review to understand the circumstances of this case.' 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
The Herald Scotland
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Abandoned railway station in Glasgow's Botanic Gardens refuses to die
The abandoned railway station in Glasgow Botanic Gardens. Why do you go there? I find it fascinating that something so big could be so easily hidden and so little-known by people who have lived in the city for years. It's a reminder of Glasgow's hidden underbelly and its all-too-quickly forgotten past. It opened in 1896 as part of the Glasgow Central Railway line. But as passengers gravitated toward cleaner, more convenient street trams, the station closed in 1939. It found new life as a cafe called The Silver Slipper and later the Sgt. Pepper's night club – until a fire gutted it in 1970. Today, only the old platforms remain, overgrown and slowly reclaimed by nature, smothered in weeds, grass and trees. But there's something about the place that refuses to stay hidden. There was an attempt to redevelop the site in the mid-2000s, but local opposition forced Glasgow City Council to scrap the plans. There's something about the place that refuses to die or be forgotten and in this age of cultural impermanence, that's a beautiful thing to me. (Image: Colin Mearns) For me, it also symbolises what great crime fiction does: tells a great story but also reveals the darkness lurking underneath everyday life. How often do you go? Anytime I find myself in the Botanics, I make an excuse to wander off and sneak a peek over the old ventilation shafts. The whole area is sealed off below, but some hardy urban explorers and graffiti artists still find a way down to the platforms. They're braver than I am. Author Andrew Raymond (Image: Andrew Raymond)How did you discover it? I'd walked past it several times before finally stopping to check why there was a big fence hidden away between some trees. I couldn't believe I'd never heard of it before. What's your favourite memory? The first time I found it. I was struck by the idea that Glasgow has so many hidden levels. I knew almost immediately that it had to play a role in the first DCI Lomond book, The Bonnie Dead, because it captures everything the book is about. Who do you take? I only ever go by myself, but I'm looking forward to showing it to my son when he's old enough. What do you take? I always take a few photos – it gets more mysterious every time. What do you leave behind? Nothing. Let's keep the Botanics clean and tidy, people. Sum it up in five words. The past never stays buried. What other travel spot is on your wish list? Iceland. It has always seemed like my kind of place – the brooding skies, bleak beauty and woolly jumpers of home, with the bonus of more volcanoes and fewer midges. The Bonnie Dead by Andrew Raymond (Vinci, £9.99) is published in paperback on June 5
Glasgow Times
a day ago
- Glasgow Times
Inside the redesign of Glasgow's Sauchiehall Street
'Sauchiehall Street's had a bit of flak recently,' it's a statement that comes as no surprise as the Glasgow Times meets Glasgow City Council representatives on the city centre street. Still, it has remained one of the main avenues in the city, stretching over one-and-a-half miles, and is associated with shopping and nightlife, and even features in a few songs. The section between Charing Cross and its connection with Buchanan Street has recently been given a facelift, too. It's part of the £1billion investment funded by the Glasgow City Region City Deal, which includes contributions from both the Scottish and UK Governments. This project is part of the £123million Avenues programme. The Glasgow Times was invited out by the team behind the design of the street as they talked us through the 'new and improved' layout. Inside the redesign of Glasgow's Sauchiehall Street (Image: Colin Mearns)READ MORE: 9 pictures which tell story of famous Glasgow department store Meeting at the brow of the hill, we look down the newly paved road from Rose Street's crossing all the way down to West Nile Street – our focus for this stage of the street's rejuvenation. 'It's unavoidable to admit that it's needed a renovation,' say the representatives. The tail-end of the works is being completed as we wander down through the lush greenery of the 40 new street trees, people fill the impressive 77 new benches, and we talk through the intricacies of the vision for the street. They explain: 'The goal of this program is to introduce greener spaces into the city centre, provide more space for people and pedestrians, spaces to rest, and, where appropriate, segregated cycling infrastructure. 'Sauchiehall Street was already a pedestrianised precinct, which was a key thing to be maintained. 'The design's principle involves treating the central section as a place to gather and rest with greenery and lighting, while the two side flanks form the 'motorways' for pedestrians around the benches and trees.' The benches have been arranged to form 'living room'-like spaces (Image: Colin Mearns) It aims to promote free access between shops and allow people walking and cycling to share the space, with an emphasis on consideration of other users. The trees will form a canopy of shelter over the benches and area, and have been planted with growth in mind, something that was missing from the previous foliage. They explain: 'The trees that were originally on the street were in danger of dying, because they hadn't been planted properly. 'Their roots were coming up through the pavement, and they weren't growing, which was because they weren't planted in 'tree boxes'.' READ MORE: The unusual link between Glasgow and 'dark history' of the pineapple They go on to show us the boxes into which the new foliage has been sunk—they'll allow the variety of tree species to flourish on the street. That variety is a consideration that's been made to ensure that no disease spreads through the leafy canopy. While the question of rats invading the new drainage system has to be asked, after the issue was reported in March, the council say they have seen no such problems arise. Under the surface is where the 'real magic' has happened for the street, improved drainage and infrastructure will allow for further developments and investments in the area to 'unlock the street's full potential.' Fiona McLeod, 65, enjoying a new bench (Image: Colin Mearns) Above ground, the 77 benches have been warmly greeted by people we spoke to as we passed, including 65-year-old Fiona McLeod, who said: 'I think it's a brilliant thing for somebody that's given a wee bit of mobility problems. 'It's brilliant to be able to just sit and just rest, I love them here. I think it's a great idea.' She's sitting facing another bench in one of the many different layouts seen across the street. These benches have been placed specifically in a bit of urban Feng Shui—they form almost 'living room'-like spaces. 'It's to allow for people to gather in different ways that suit them, to rest, chat, eat or simply sit and enjoy the view,' explained the council representatives. Cambridge Street with the new plant beds and cycle lane. (Image: Colin Mearns) We look at the wildflower 'rain gardens' on Cambridge Street, which help with drainage and benefit bees and other flora and fauna. Cycle lanes have been added, and the crossings have also been widened, which should help the large footfall on the street cross safely. READ MORE: Glasgow School of Art lecturer turns 28 years of memories into bold new show Additional lighting is being added, and service units have been installed to allow for future events, including a vision for market stalls. We pass a few 'to let' signs, a sign of the times as an unavoidable hangover from Covid and a turbulent time for the high street.
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- General
- Glasgow Times
Police confirm plans to dispose of North Glasgow station
Police Scotland confirmed plans to dispose of its Saracen office in Possilpark. The Barloch Street station has not been operational for more than five years, with local community officers and response officers deployed from nearby Maryhill. Residents are being reassured that there will be no change in how incidents are responded to or in the level of service provided to the community. Maryhill police station's front counter is open from 7am to midday Monday to Sunday. Saracen police station was built in 1974 and was designed to meet the needs of policing at the time. According to the force, the building no longer meets the demands or requirements of modern policing. It is also said to not be sufficiently flexible to adapt for how policing may be delivered in the future. READ NEXT: Glasgow City Council criticised over working hours lost to stress The station is in 'poor condition' and would require 'considerable' investment to meet health and safety standards. Area Commander, Chief Inspector Declan Todd explained the move is not a 'withdrawal from the community' but is a step forward in plans to modernise and invest in the police estate. CI Todd said: 'Response officers and community officers covering Saracen and the surrounding areas are already based in Maryhill, meaning there will be no change in how incidents are responded to or in the level of service provided to the community. 'Officers will continue to maintain a visible presence and deliver a high-quality service. In the past, having multiple stations in close proximity was beneficial due to the lack of modern technology. 'Today, officers are fully mobile, equipped with advanced technology, including fleet and mobile devices, allowing them to patrol and respond effectively without relying on a fixed location. 'Our officers spend the majority of their shift out in the community. Saracen and Maryhill are less than three miles apart. 'Maintaining buildings so close together is not necessary or financially sustainable. By merging resources, we can ensure our focus remains on delivering frontline policing and enhancing community safety, rather than retaining underutilised buildings. 'The disposal of Saracen police station is a key part of our ongoing work to improve the police estate. "Outlined in the Estates Masterplan, the West has been identified as a priority area for transformation. 'Disposing of a building that is no longer fit for purpose does not mean a withdrawal from the community, it is a step forward in our plans to modernise and invest in the police estate to meet the needs of policing now and in the future.' READ NEXT: Union warns of strike action at Glasgow Airport this summer For non-emergencies and general enquiries, people are urged to contact 101, and 999 in the event of an emergency. Those who are deaf, deafened, hard of hearing, or cannot communicate via speech are urged to use the text relay service on 18001101. British Sign Language (BSL) users can contact Police Scotland via 999 BSL. In non-emergencies, BSL users can access Contact Scotland BSL.
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow City Council criticised over working hours lost to stress
Data obtained through a Freedom of Information request has revealed that in 2024 alone, the local authority had to cope with 1612 instances of absence – the highest figure since 2017. The document also revealed that already in 2025, at least 636 reports of stress-related sickness have been lodged as departments face an ever-increasing workload across education, children's services, social care and health. The figures show that the cumulative time annually lost due to stress has been steadily rising, going up from 963 instances of absence in 2017 to 1478 in 2023. The total number between 2017 and now is a staggering 10,192. Drumchapel and Anniesland councillor Paul Carey BEM believes the data is the result of excessive demands being placed on already-stretched frontline staff. He says people are being asked to cope with a growing burden of more and more work and that these new figures must act as a 'wake-up call' to council chiefs. Cllr Paul Carey (Image: Colin Mearns) He told the Glasgow Times: 'It is not surprising to me that stress-induced absence among staff has continued to rise year upon year. Council bosses must pay close attention to this because we have already experienced a worrying shortfall of teachers, cleaning workers, classroom assistants and home-helps. If more people are off sick, this becomes a vicious circle because those left to pick up the slack then also end up struggling. 'The figures clearly show that frontline workers are being stretched to their absolute limit and feel so stressed out they are forced to take time away from their jobs to recover.' He added: 'I am constantly hearing from employees who feel under strain because of the pressure around their roles. Years of cuts to budgets has piled on the pressure and it's clear from the data here that much of the council's workforce feels exhausted.' However, council bosses say they are committed to supporting staff whose health and wellbeing is being impacted in any way by stress. A spokesperson added: 'Our priority is providing a supportive work environment for all employees. 'Our absence policy focuses on early intervention and supporting staff with their health and wellbeing. The council also has a counselling and information service available to support employees, and line managers are instructed to ensure staff are aware of it and know how to access the help it can provide. 'The council is a large organisation - the largest local authority in the country - with over 25,000 employees and this is reflected in these figures.' We previously told how the cash-strapped local authority was under-fire after paying out more than half a million pounds to staff injured in workplace accidents. READ NEXT: Glasgow City Council paid £600k to employees hurt at work The council has been forced to fork out an eye-watering £629,291 over the last three years to workers injured in slips, trips, falls and manual handling of defective equipment while at work. The highest pay out to staff was £447,487 in the financial year 2022/23, while £181,804 was handed to claimants during 2023/24. Physical injury was the most common reason for action being taken, with a total of 161 claims submitted. This number was followed by physical and psychological injuries, with 45 employees successfully lodging actions.
