Blog

Drop-ins and more drop-ins – Local Place Plan

| 2nd March 2025

Thanks to everyone who came along to the drop-in sessions on Saturdays 22nd February and 1st March. We collected a lot of answers to our questions, but also a lot of excellent suggestions and experiences to take into account.

The boards will be on display at the community council meeting on 3 March 2025 (Village Club from about 7pm). Another drop-in session is planned for Thursday evening, 20th March, 6.30-8.30pm at the Thomas Graham Community Library.  Come and join us for coffee, biscuits and a chat.

** If you can’t join us at those times but would still like to contribute, please get in touch **

The display boards now be viewed online – check out our dedicated web page  here.

Local Place Plan – important drop-in sessions 22 Feb and 1 March 2025

| 18th February 2025

After digesting the survey results, the LPP working group prepared a special edition of the Blane Valley Bulletin to summarise our preliminary conclusions, and to invite residents to review the results in more detail at Drop-in sessions.

Thumbnails of display posters

Remember – Your voice needs to be heard – so come along and have your say at drop-in sessions on Saturdays 22nd February and 1st March from 10am-1pm at the Thomas Graham Community Library.  Come and join us for coffee, biscuits and a chat.

We will be displaying our findings at these sessions, and inviting your comments on topics including:

  • Community assets and amenities
  • Transport and Traffic
  • Village environment & Paths
  • Sustainability & climate change
  • Housing need vs Green belt
    • including a list of potential housing sites

For more information see our dedicated LPP web page.

Local Place Plan – Get involved in 2024-25 to shape our community for the future

Big Conversation 25-26

Reply by 17 Nov to Stirling’s ‘Big Conversation’ on budget

| 4th November 2024

Stirling Council’s ‘Big Conversation’ on budget – survey runs to 17 November

Residents have another fortnight to share their views as Stirling Council continues its Big Conversation on how to tackle another significant budget shortfall next year (2025-26).

More than 600 local people have so far participated in the Big Conversation on the Engage Stirling website. Feedback can also be provide via the paper copies available in libraries.

Residents will be able to share their views on the budget in two surveys, the first of which launched on 21 October and runs until 17 November.

The second survey will be published in early 2025 following the Scottish Government announcement of the annual local government finance settlement in December. It will run for around a month will include detailed savings proposals to address the estimated shortfall which residents will be able to feedback on.

The questions in the first survey are based on the feedback we received in last year’s Big Conversation, which saw more than 3,400 people participate in an online survey, and almost 700 people attend 24 events across the council area.

You told us you wanted more opportunities to tell us about the services you valued, what you liked and disliked about service delivery, and how we could do better and be more efficient. You also told us your views on raising council tax to raise income and help bridge the budget gap.

Stirling Council Deputy Leader, Cllr Gerry McGarvey, said:

“We’d like to thank all residents who have so far participated in our first survey – and encourage as many local people as possible to take part.

“The voices of our residents are vital in helping shape our decision making process. It’s local people who live in our communities and use our services.

“The financial environment for local government remains hugely challenging and councils across Scotland will be facing similar budgetary pressures over the coming months.

“Despite making over £45m of year-on-year savings since 2014-15, we will need to make more difficult decisions this year and continuing this big conversation with residents will be a crucial part of this process.

“The first survey is based on the feedback we received from residents last year. It will be your opportunity to tell us about the services that are important to you, the areas where you think there should be greater focus and your ideas to generate income or transform the ways we work.

“You will also be able to give your views on things like changes to council tax levels and see what this would mean for you and making up the budget shortfall.

“Your feedback will help inform the decisions made on next year’s budget and how we deliver services in your community. Please continue this big conversation with us so we can negotiate this unprecedented challenge together.”

The council must plug its budget gap in 2025-26 despite making up a shortfall that eventually amounted to more than £18 million in the current financial year. These were delivered by savings across council services, the use of one-off reserves and increases to fees and charges.

Just over 71% of overall funding to support Stirling Council’s 2024-25 budget comes from Scottish Government grant and business rates, with the other 29% from council tax, housing rents and council reserves.

To take part in the online survey, visit: https://engage.stirling.gov.uk/en-GB/projects/the-big-conversation-2025-26

Paper copies of the survey are also available at Stirling Council libraries. Please ask library staff for more details.

The council will also be engaging regularly with its staff, local partners, groups of service users and other key stakeholders throughout the budget-setting process.

For more information, including on a breakdown of how the council is funded and how it spends its money, please visit www.stirling.gov.uk/bigconversation

 

Advice Services - Pension Credit

Advice Services can help claim Pension Credit or offer advice about money, debt and benefits

| 4th November 2024

Stirling Council Advice Services can help you
claim Pension Credit or offer advice
about money, debt and benefits

Download Pension Credit Leaflet

Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. You can get Pension Credit even if you have other income, savings or own your own home.

Stirling Council provides free, confidential, and impartial money debt and benefit advice to anyone living in the Stirling Council area.

Advantages of claiming Pension Credit:

• Pension Credit is often known as the ‘gateway benefit’, if you are eligible, even for £1 you could get access to a free TV Licence, help with glasses, travel to NHS appointments and assistance with dental treatment.
• Qualifying for £1 of Pension Credit can mean that you may be eligible for full Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction.
• You might get extra help if you’re a carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person.
• You can get help with funeral costs if you are responsible for the funeral.
• You will be eligible for Winter Fuel Payment.
• You are eligible to apply for the Support for Mortgage interest loan.

Stirling Council Advice Services can help you to check if you are entitled to Pension Credit, and to make a claim.
If you would like to find out more about your entitlement to benefits, please call on 01786 233528 or email at moneyadvice@stirling.gov.uk.

Your Libraries, Your Say Survey

The future of our local Libraries – Stirling Council Consultation

| 12th October 2024

Your Libraries, Your Say consultation closes 1 Nov 2024

Stirling Council  are keen to hear from anyone who lives, works or studies in the Stirling Council area, whether they are already library members or not.

Shape the future of your libraries service in our quick survey

Visit: engage.stirling.gov.uk or scan the QR code.

Paper copies are also available in libraries.

 

Libraries QR Code

libraries future survey poster-1

Booklet launched to help older people in Stirling access advice and services

| 12th October 2024

Booklet launched to help older people in Stirling access advice and services

Stirling Council press release – Tuesday 1 October 2024

A new booklet has been produced to signpost older people to support services across the Stirling area.

The 12 page brochure, designed by Stirling Council’s Community Development team, is a self-help guide for older people to maintain their independence, choice and control of their lives.

It has been launched on Tuesday, 1 October 2024) to mark the International Day of Older People.

The booklet has been compiled in partnership with the Clackmannanshire and Stirling Health & Social Care Partnership, NHS Forth Valley, local charities and voluntary groups and features everything from advice on benefits maximisation, legal matters, health, volunteering, social connections and help and safety at home.

It is available as a download and printed copies can also be obtained from community centres, Stirling Citizens Advice Bureau, libraries, health centres and community hospitals, as well as housing association partners and the MECS social care team.

Copies will also be distributed at a series of roadshows being undertaken in the coming months by the Community Development Team and its partners, who will visit older people’s groups, activity hubs and lunch clubs.

Cllr Elaine Watterson, Stirling Council’s Older People’s Champion, visited the Balfron Lunch Club to promote the booklet, with members of the Community Development Team also on hand to offer advice and support.

Cllr Watterson said: “I welcome the new booklet of key contacts as it is vitally important the needs, concerns and challenges of older people are considered in the design and delivery of our services.

“The fact that many of us are living longer is something to celebrate, but it may mean we need a small amount of support to make the most of later life.

“The booklet signposts older people in our communities to support services and organisations that they can access directly, helping them to live independent, healthy and fulfilling lives.

“It also acknowledges the wonderful organisations providing support in our communities, often managed and run by volunteers. Their passion and enthusiasm for helping others amazes and inspires me.”

There are an estimated 25,000 people in the Stirling Council area aged over 60 – approximately 27 per cent of the local population – and feedback on their needs and concerns will also be taken at the roadshows to inform future, updated versions of the booklet and inform how other services develop.

The Community Development Team are particularly keen to gather data on issues such as isolation and loneliness, housing adaptations, care needs and financial concerns.

Any group or organisation for older people that wishes to host a roadshow can contact the Community Development Team by emailing communitydevelopment@stirling.gov.uk.

Stirling’s Council Advice Services team are also keen to offer advice to older people on their entitlement to benefits – and they can even carry out a full assessment to check eligibility.

Qualifying for even £1 of Pension Credit can open up doors to further benefits, including the Winter Fuel Payment. Email moneyadvice@stirling.gov.uk  or call 01786-233528 for more details.

 

 

Stirling CAB logo

Recruiting volunteer advisers for Citizens Advice Bureau

| 12th October 2024

We received information from Citizens Advice Stirling

Are you interested in becoming a Volunteer?

Stirling CAB logo Stirling District Citizens Advice Bureau is now seeking to recruit volunteer advisers for our next adviser training programme in January 2025.

Due to the impact of the ongoing cost of living crisis there remains a very high demand for advice in the community. Stirling Citizens Advice Bureau is therefore now seeking to recruit additional volunteers to train as advisers.

Who can volunteer with the Citizens Advice Bureau?

Anyone can volunteer. You don’t have to come with formal qualifications or a vast amount of knowledge. Our training will help you become a confident adviser with a constantly updated information system to work with. We hope to recruit volunteers who reflect the community they serve; we hope people of all ages and backgrounds will be interested in finding out more about volunteering with their local CAB.

When does the next volunteer intake begin?
Volunteer Advisers:
The CAB adviser training programme for advisers starts on Friday 10th of January. The training comprises three months of Friday morning taught sessions in person (from 10-2pm) and 30+ online modules which you can access in your own time. Once the training has progressed volunteers will be expected to come into the Bureau to shadow other advisers for at least 3 hours per week.
Once trained we are looking for a minimum time commitment of 6 hours per week delivered either on one full day or two half days per week advising the public. The advice service is open for this 10 – 3 pm Monday to Thursday.
How do I apply for a volunteer position?
If you would like to volunteer, please go onto the following link and complete an online submission https://www.stirlingcab.org.uk/volunteer.

Alternatively, you can contact our volunteer coordinator Janet Taylor on email Volunteering@StirlingCAB.casonline.org.uk. The closing date to return completed applications will be Friday 15th November.

Information 202410 CAB Volunteer Adviser OCT 24

Forth Valley Minor Injuries Unit – Call first before attending

| 12th October 2024

Got a minor injury? Call first before you attend

We have been informed of a new protocol for attending the Minor Injuries Unit at Forth Valley Royal Infirmary

If you attend the Minor Injuries Unit without arranging an appointment via NHS 24 (111) you may have to wait longer be seen or could be asked to come back later.

If you or a member of your family has an injury that needs urgent immediate attention, should call NHS 24 first on 111, day night for:

  • Healthcare advice – without having to leave home
  • An appointment at a local centre for further assessment or treatment – so you don’t need to wait when attend

The Minor Injuries team can help adults and children over 12 months
who have a recent minor injury, including:

  • Sprains and strains
  • Suspected broken bones
  • Minor head injuries
  • Minor burns and scalds
  • Minor ear injuries
  • Minor eye injuries
  • Infected wounds
  • Insect bites and stings

You can also call NHS 24 on 111 any time, day or night if you:

  • Think you need to attend A&E but it’s not life threatening
  • Are too ill to wait for your GP Practice, pharmacist or dentist to open
  • Need urgent mental health advice and guidance

Remember:

If your condition is serious or life-threatening you should dial 999 or go to straight A&E.

See leaflet/poster for more information, and visit www.nhsforthvalley.com/rightcare

| 23rd August 2024

Survey responses published

Thanks to all those who completed the survey to provide evidence for development of a Local Place Plan. A detailed analysis of the responses is published here:

Local Place Plan – 2024 – results

In addition to the pre-defined answers, free text comments were invited, and these are presented in Appendices 1-8 in the report.

In the next few months we will take forward further consultations on how the opinions from the survey might shape development in the local area for the coming years.

More detail of the Local Place Plan process is on our dedicated web page here.

Stirling Council logo

Stirling seeks input on Housing Allocation Policy – closing date 18 Aug 2024

| 12th July 2024

Stirling Council inform us that they are reviewing their Housing Allocation Policy.

The proposed changes are open for public comment until 18 August 2024.

“This is a document that sets out how we prioritise people for Council homes that become available to let and decide who we offer these to.

We have reviewed how this Policy is working with our registered tenant organisation, The Stirling Tenants Assembly, and are now consulting on potential changes to how we allocate housing.

To tell us your views on our proposed changes, you can complete the consultation on the Engage Stirling website. More information about the proposed changes can be found on this website. The consultation closes on 18th August and we anticipate that a revised policy will be taken to the Community Wellbeing and Housing Committee later in the year for approval.”

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