Latest news with #CecilMeiklejohn
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
'Lessons learned' on looking after buildings says Falkirk Council after Bo'ness report
Councillors want no repeat of 2019 when a report into a pool's 'serious structural failings' was ignored. Lessons have been learned about maintaining buildings properly, Falkirk councillors have heard, after an internal audit looked at why a report warning of "serious structural failings" in a swimming pool had not been acted on. The audit identified a 'lack of urgency' and 'a lack of documented communication' as just two of many issues that led to no action being taken to repair the pool in Bo'ness Recreation Centre's for five years after the warning was made. The findings of the investigation were reported to Falkirk Council's audit committee in April, but returned to councillors this week, as they wanted to see a detailed action plan and timeline. While it is too late for the centre, which is currently being demolished, members of the committee said they wanted assurances that there would be no repeat of the situation. Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn, leader of the SNP administration, thanked officers for the report which she admitted had been "challenging" and said it was time now to "look forward and to the lessons learned". She said it was important "not just for this building but going forward". Assets manager Paul Kettrick said the report had highlighted the importance of "effective communication" and making sure that actions that have been identified are recorded and then followed up. Members were told that the council now takes a "corporate landlord" approach to looking after its properties. A property compliance team and a new maintenance and facilities management team are now in place to ensure a greater focus on the condition of buildings. Councillor Anne Hannah, the leader of the Labour group, said: "The Strategic Property Review has highlighted again and again the problem of maintenance and we need to be assured that that is not going to be a continuing problem." Mr Kettrick said that with such a large property portfolio, maintenance will always be a challenge for the council but he was confident that a framework was now in place to effectively manage the risks. However, the Director of Place Services Malcolm Bennie had a warning for councillors. He said: "My impression is that Falkirk Council under-invested in its assets and kept too many assets, so that what funding was available was spread too thin. "The challenge to my service is to make sure that the compliance activity is undertaken and that we bring forward proposals and recommendations for funding. "Elected members also need to have cognisance of that when considering their budgets to ensure there is enough funding available for us to fully take forward the improvements that are identified."
Daily Record
07-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Falkirk FCs historic back-to-back promotions a 'fantastic boost' for the whole town
The leader of Falkirk Council says the team's success "goes beyond the football field" Plans are being made to celebrate Falkirk FC's historic back-to-back wins and return to the Premier League for the first time in 15 years. The fan-owned club sealed its return to the top flight of Scottish football on Friday night with a win over Livingston, prompting thousands of delighted fans to pour on to the pitch to celebrate with their heroes. The leader of Falkirk Council, Cecil Meiklejohn, added her congratulations to the club on its success and said the impact goes "beyond the football field". Cllr Meiklejohn said: "They have had two fantastic seasons back to back adding to last year's 'Invincibles' run. "Although there were a few hiccups in the final few games, they won the hard way and all credit to the team and management as well as to the fans for their loyal support. "There is no doubt that the impact of the clubs's success goes beyond just the football on the pitch - it brings a feel-good factor to the town that everyone wants to be part of. "This season the television coverage alone has seen Falkirk, as a football club and a town, highlighted across the country. "Moving to the Premiership will bring further opportunities to bring wide economic benefits to the town, particularly around our visitor attractions and hospitality, as a new set of away fans, and their families, visit the Falkirk Stadium. "There are plans currently under way for to the council to mark their achievements formally with a civic reception once a suitable date has been agreed with the club." Falkirk's town centre manager, Elaine Grant, agreed that the historic victory is a real boost for the town. She said: "Falkirk FC's success is a fantastic boost for the whole community – the ripple effect on local pride and town centre vibrancy can't be underestimated. 'We're already working with the club on plans to help drive footfall, increase local spend and celebrate the team's incredible achievement across the town centre.' 'This promotion puts Falkirk back on the map in more ways than one – we're excited to see what we can achieve together.' Businesses across Falkirk town centre showed their support for the team, including displays in Sisters & Misters, Lint Riggs; Clever Clogs, Bank Street; and Centre Stage Dancewear in Glebe Street. Falkirk FC are already preparing for next season and are urging fans to order their season tickets early as they are expecting to sell out. While they say the prices are "the most affordable in the Scottish Premiership", they are also urging fans who can afford more to donate to the Manager's Fund, which will be allocated straight to the playing budget to make the club "as competitive as possible".
Daily Record
02-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Falkirk history groups to get chance to claim museum collection pieces in major review
A panel of experts will review 36,000 objects before finding a new home for the museums store Local history groups across Falkirk are to be given a chance to claim any historical objects that would be discarded as part of a major review of Falkirk Council's museum collection. The closure of the museum's current store, which members heard is "not fit for purpose", has sparked a review that will see a panel of experts comb its 36,000 objects to decide if any are duplicates, beyond repair or not relevant to the local area. The leader of Falkirk Council, Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn, said: "The council's museum collection is an important and much-loved asset that we have a responsibility to take care of for future generations." "It captures the history of the entire Falkirk Council area. "Currently, it's housed in a building that is completely unsuitable and we want to create a modern storage solution that will improve public access and our ability to preserve those objects." She said that officers' proposals to rationalise the collection would follow National Museums standards and were necessary "to ensure good collection management". Members of Falkirk Council's executive agreed to the proposal this week, but councillors added that they wanted to be sure the area's local groups would be offered items that they would find interesting. Michael McGuinness, Falkirk Council's head of growth, planning and climate change, told members that the review would be positive for the museum's collections and would allow them to see more objects "coming out of storage and being displayed in an environment that is suitable". He suggested that Falkirk's new town hall, which is still in the design stages, would be one place where items connected with the area's history could be displayed. Councillor Robert Spears what would happen if the museum service was to discard items that had been gifted and asked if schools, libraries and history groups might be able to use them? Mr McGuinness said the process for discarding items was "well-thought through" and approved by Museums Scotland. He said: "We will be looking at every single one of 36,000 items to determine their place within our collection. "This process is very much about protecting and securing the collection for the future." Items will be considered for disposal if they are duplications or do not represent the heritage of Falkirk district. But he acknowledged that some might find a more appropriate home at the end of the process. "So, that could be a school, it could be our new town hall, for example, or it could be another museum elsewhere in Scotland that has a more appropriate display collection." Members unanimously agreed the report with the SNP administration accepting Labour's request that there should be "a publicly accessible portal for local history groups to register an interest in specific historical interests/periods", which will enable them to be included in the consultation regarding items of interest. Cllr Meiklejohn added: "Once we have a clearer idea of the future of the collection requirements we can start to plan for a new facility to help us remove the risk currently posed by overcrowding and poor storage." She accepted Labour's amendment that will allow local groups to register interest in the collection. Labour councillor Jack Redmond said it was "really important that local groups and people are involved with this".
