BRIDGE OF ALLAN COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting held by Bridge of Allan Community Council held at the Allan Centre on Tuesday 20th June 2006 can be found by clicking here. Minutes from the meeting held on Tuesday 18th July will be posted shortly.

BEND IT LIKE BECKETT

As the UK's Margaret Beckett struts and frets her stuff on the international stage, her empty calls for a cessation of Israeli bound US flights stopping off at Prestwick have fallen on deaf ears. It would appear that Whitehall has interpreted her call as one to ensure that the proper paperwork is in place, not that the practice should be stopped entirely.Whilst I understand that Civil Aviation does not come under the responsibility of the Scottish Executive, Jack McConnell's silence on this issue is truly deafening.

NHS - NATURALLY HELPFUL STAFF

Spending time in hospital is never pleasant, unless perhaps you are in the maternity ward. Over the last 15 days I have spent time as a patient at Stirling Royal Infirmary. The NHS has many problems which are all well documented. However, what struck me most about my time in hospital was the excellent performance of frontline staff who were responsible for my comfort and well - being during that time. The staff who had responsibility for cleaning the wards, making the beds, serving food and administering medication did so with the utmost committment and professionalism under difficult circumstances including working in an environment under searing temperatures. I would like therefore to take this opportunity to thank all the staff working in wards 25 and 26 at the SRI for restoring my faith in a highly dedicated team of frontline NHS employees.

THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND JOHN PRESCOTT

There has long been an association between cowboys and politicians in the good ol' US of A.Ronald Reagan was famed for playing western roles in Hollywood, as was Clint Eastwood. George Bush has often been seen parading around Texas in a ten gallon cowboy hat.

Here in the UK, we have become used to the cowboys who operate within the current Labour administration. John Prescott however, has taken this role perhaps one step too far. Maybe he thinks that if he sports a pair of chaps,(my apologies to readers of a nervous disposition who may be troubled by such an image), the ladies will go weak at the knees.

Surely it is now High Noon, and Tony Blair must have a final showdown with Prezza at the "Not-So-OK-Coral".(Click here to read article)

THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM

At long last David Cameron has taken the bull by the horns (or should that be the elephant by the tusks?)and re-raised the issue of the West Lothian Question. Whether you are a supporter of full Scottish independence or a supporter of maintaining the union is almost irrelevant. The fact is that the current situation cannot, and should not, continue.

DEFENDING THE INDEFENSIBLE

In today's Scotsman, (click here to read article) it has been reported that Scotland's local authorities have spent up to £100 million of council taxpayers' money to pay off staff over the last four years. Payments have been spent on severance, redundancy and early retirement payments.

If any evidence is needed to show just how bloated our public sector has become, then this is it. Taxpayers are paying handsomely for a reduction in jobs which should never have existed in the first place. That's taxpayers like you!...

DUNBLANE'S FINEST

Following Andy Murray's impressive victory over Andy Roddick at Wimbledon yesterday, Dunblane can be proud of his exceptional achievements. Rumour has it that Sven Goran Eriksson pocketed £25m to manage the England football team. The Lawn Tennis Association has reportedly been asked to pick up £500k a year to pay for Andy's new coach. Looks like good value to me! Perhaps Stirling Council will now recognise the importance of maintaining the Bridge of Allan and Dunblane public tennis courts in order that our young constituents can be encouraged to follow in Andy's footsteps.

PROTESTS GROW OVER BUS CUTS

Excerpt from Stirling Observer, June 21 2006

CONTROVERSIAL changes to school transport arrangements could put young lives at risk, say parents.

Bridge of Allan Primary School board chairman Callum Campbell is among those who says the change could be dangerous and who is hitting out over the lack of consultation.

He said:

"Walking to school is a much healthier option for children and should reduce the volume of early morning traffic congestion and pollution.

"However for some children the change in policy means their parents have no option but to drive them to school, resulting in more school run traffic, which may make it more dangerous for others who do walk to school.

"As a school board we have worked hard to promote the Safer Routes to Schools campaign but the fact is many parents who are affected by the policy change live in locations which will require children to walk along roads which have no pavement or cycle lane, are poorly lit or require them to cross exceptionally busy roads which have inadequate safety crossings.

"I fear such a lack of consultation may result in a serious accident or fatality and I urge the council to rethink before a child is killed."