Falkirk Council Agenda - 05 October 2011, 09:30 
A meeting to be held at Municipal Buildings at 09:30 on 05 October 2011.
| Number | Item |
|---|---|
| 1 | MINUTES AND INFORMATION BULLETIN Submit:- (a) Minute of Meeting of Falkirk Council held on 22 June 2011; (b) Volume of Minutes - Volume 3 2011/2012; and (c) Information Bulletin - Volume 3 2011/2012. View Papers |
| 2 | REFERRAL FROM POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE - 6 SEPTEMBER 2011 PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT PLAN UPDATE: DISPOSAL PROCESS (i) Report by the Director of Development Services; and (ii) Report by the Director of Development Services submitted to the meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee on 6 September 2011. View Papers |
| 3 | REFERRAL FROM ECONOMIC STRATEGY AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE - 20 SEPTEMBER 2011 |
| (a) | FALKIRK LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN - MAIN ISSUES REPORT (i) Report by the Director of Development Services; and (ii) Report by the Director of Development Services submitted to the meeting of the Economic Strategy and Development Committee on 20 September 2011. View Papers |
| (b) | TOWN CENTRE REGENERATION STRATEGY: UPDATE REPORT (i) Report by the Director of Development Services; and (ii) Report by the Director of Development Services submitted to the meeting of the Economic Strategy and Development Committee on 20 September 2011. View Papers |
| 4 | SPENDING REVIEW 2011 Submit Report by the Chief Finance Officer. View Papers |
| 5 | CULTURE, LEISURE AND PARKS CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2011/12 Submit Report by the Chief Finance Officer. View Papers |
| 6 | JOINT INSPECTION OF SERVICES TO PROTECT CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN FALKIRK COUNCIL AREA Submit Report by the Acting Director of Social Work Services. View Papers |
| 7 | STRATEGIC COMMUNITY PLAN AND COMMUNITY PLAN - SINGLE OUTCOME AGREEMENT ANNUAL MONITORING STATEMENT Submit Report by the Chief Executive. View Papers |
| 8 | THE COMMISSION ON THE FUTURE DELIVERY OF PUBLIC SERVICES IN SCOTLAND FINAL REPORT AND CONSULTATION ON THE REFORM OF POLICE AND FIRE RESCUE SERVICES IN SCOTLAND Submit Report by the Chief Executive. View Papers |
| 9 | REVIEW OF POLLING DISTRICTS AND POLLING PLACES 2011 Submit Report by the Chief Executive. View Papers |
| 10 | PROGRAMME OF MEETINGS: JANUARY - APRIL 2012 Submit Report by the Chief Governance Officer. View Papers |
| 11 | APPOINTMENT TO COMMITTEES Submit Report by the Chief Governance Officer. View Papers |
| 12 | APPOINTMENT TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS Submit Report by the Chief Governance Officer. View Papers |
| 13 | EXECUTION OF DEEDS Submit Report by the Chief Governance Officer. View Papers |
| 14 | NOTICE OF MOTIONS |
| (a) | Bonnybridge Railway Station "The Former minister for transport Stewart Stevenson responded to my letter of September 2010 by stating quite clearly that and I quote: "A new rail station at Bonnybridge was considered as part of the appraisal process within STPR but it was concluded there was no strategic case for an additional station. The proposed station location places it one of the most strategically significant sections of the Scottish rail network. Passenger services from Glasgow and South West to destinations in Northern and Eastern Scotland utilise this section of track, thus a new station at Bonnybridge would limit the potential to accommodate wider service patterns while also restricting other STPR improvements. In light of these issues a new rail station at Bonnybridge is not supported". This was after both former MSP Denis Canavan from 2005 until he retired and Margaret Mitchell MSP in 2009, had raised the issue with questions in the Scottish Parliament. They both were informed on each occasion that there was no support for a railway station for a number of reasons. On the 14th November 2010 I wrote to the new transport Minister Keith Brown, asking him to re-open the issue, and take a fresh look at the proposal for a Bonnybridge Rail Station. He responded by stating that his predecessor had been in contact to explain the government position, and that it has not changed in all this time and, there was no support. Despite this government response and the clear message coming out Michael Matheson MSP, had for some considerable time, been sending out letters and leaflets to my constituents, trying to blame the administration of Falkirk Council for in his words blocking attempts, to establish a new station, and attacking Councillor Gow and myself for not supporting proposals put forward to the Council to fund a stag report. This was a concerted effort by Mr Matheson and the SNP to discredit. This kind of reprehensible behaviour was disgraceful as Mr Matheson was well aware that for years his colleagues had given no support for the station. Knowing this he still raised expectations in our community therefore, I propose the following motion, that this Council contacts Michael Matheson MSP and ask, that he, be whatever means, select committee, motion to parliament, moves for support for his colleagues for the opening of a rail station at Bonnybridge and that he publically apologises to the administration of this Council, and to Councillor Gow and myself. But more importantly apologises to the community of Bonnybridge for his disgraceful conduct in misleading them. Proposed by Councillor W Buchanan View Papers |
| (b) | Black Mould Growth The black mould growth on property in the Bonnybridge area is spreading throughout the village generating concerns obviously it's a sensitive issue for people relating to their properties especially in this economic climate. There is also concern and I share this that more work should be done regarding the health issue. As yet no health issues have been identified. Falkirk Council had been very pro-active since I brought this to full Council some 6 years ago. The aesthetic effect on properties is highly visible, both on private and council housing stock and this is a major issue. There have been a number of public meetings very well attended over the years with presentations done by the local Fungus Action Group. To try and move the issue forward Councillor C MacDonald to the Environment and Community Safety Committee contacted the former public health minister, asking for her to commission a Scottish wide investigation on the effects of black mould. She responded by stating that there would be questionable public health benefit in conducting the type of comprehensive national study suggested relative to the likely cost of such an exercise. Obviously cost is paramount from this statement. Local MSP Michael Matheson came to at least one public meeting where he stated he has been in discussion with Diageo. But to date I am unaware of what Mr Matheson has actually done to date, therefore in light of the government's negative response, and the fact that this problem is exacerbating causing major concern, I would move the following motion. That this council contact Michael Matheson the new public health minister who is also the local MSP asking him to:- 1. Update this council on to what he has done to date. 2. Because he is very aware of the problem, that he initiates a National Investigation into the effects of Black Mould to our communities ASAP in support of his constituent's and the wider communities. Proposed by Councillor W Buchanan View Papers |
| 15 | EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC If so resolved in terms of Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, exclude from the meeting the press and public for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 9, 11 & 12 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the said Act. |
| 16 | EMPLOYEE RELATED SAVINGS Submit Report by the Chief Executive. |
| 17 | REFERRAL FROM POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE - 6 SEPTEMBER 2011 PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT PLAN: DISPOSAL OF PREMISES AT 1-5 DALDERSE AVENUE, FALKIRK & YARD AT 23 BUTE STREET, FALKIRK (i) Report by the Director of Development Services; and (ii) Report by the Director of Development Services submitted to the meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee on 6 September 2011. |