The Mariner Centre, Camelon - work will be complete by 1 April to bring Trust services back in-house.

Over the past six months, officers from both Falkirk Community Trust (FCT) and Falkirk Council (FC) have been working together to plan for the bringing of FCT services in house. 

A number of working groups were set up at the start of this process and have been meeting regularly to progress the many different and complex issues involved. 

Each of these groups had a remit to consider specialist areas of operations as well as looking at the implications for each service. Each had representatives from both FCT and FC.  

FCT has undertaken its own wide-ranging conversation with employees to brief them on moving across also. This has seen the involvement of senior FCT and FC managers involved in the discussions. Regular updates have been provided and opportunities for employees to feedback and ask questions are offered. 

FCT has also been consulting with Trades Unions on a number of issues including TUPE, employment policies, health and safety, benefits and holiday pay. 

A series of meetings have taken place between managers and team leaders from both FCT and FC to early establish new working relationships to gain a better insight into working practices and priorities as well as ensuring FCT are welcomed into the Council. These sessions are ongoing. 

Three operational groups have been set up chaired by service directors to look at the high-level impact of the transfer.

A number of other task groups have also been taking forward a number of more operational and practical issues including People, Finance and Marketing amongst others. These have tended to focus on the practical implications in the run-up to and following the transfer date to ensure the continuing smooth operation and income generation/collection. 

The transfer will take place on 1 April 2022.