Bo’ness community council claims town is being ‘ignored’ by Falkirk Council

The Bo’ness group said it asked council officials to meet with it more than nine months ago – but is still waiting for the meeting to take place.

It also raised concerns over the running of the council’s new emergency executive which has no representatives from Bo’ness, Grangemouth and Bonnybridge but multiple members from other areas.

This executive was set up when the Covid-19 pandemic forced the council to cancel all scheduled meetings and it has continued to meet – using an online meeting system – over the summer months.

The 12-strong committee has representatives from each political group but the group is concerned that none are from Bo’ness, Grangemouth, Bonnybridge or Larbert.

Madelene Hunt, the chairwoman of Bo’ness Community Council, said: “We endorsed a fairly lengthy motion at our last meeting expressing concerns about the way Falkirk Council is being run.

“We feel that the local authority needs to adequately show that it is working with 
local communities and listening to them. We do not feel this is currently happening.”

She added: “The composition of Falkirk’s emergency executive – which has wide-range powers over policy and spending – is one example. There are no voices on it from either Bo’ness or Grangemouth.

“We’ve asked Falkirk Council to reconsider the membership to allow fairer representation from across the local area.”

The community council also raised concerns about Falkirk Council’s strategic property review.

A report, authored by the council’s chief executive, Kenneth Lawrie, proposed putting a number of buildings and assets – such as Kinneil Estate, its museum and Bo’ness Town Hall – up for potential community asset transfer and also closing Bo’ness Recreation Centre.

Bo’ness Community Council asked Mr Lawrie and Maureen Campbell, the chief executive of Falkirk Community Trust, to a meeting to explain their ideas.

The meeting has still to take place.

Mrs Hunt said: “We made our first approach last October. We were asked to wait until after the budget and we’ve waited and waited.

“We’re raised the delay with officials but there has still been no meeting.

“The council has done public consultations during this time but these have been criticised over the way they have been rolled out and publicised.

“Falkirk Council says it wants to modernise but seems to have a problem actually getting out and talking to the communities that fund it.”

The community council is also unhappy that while the debate over the property review rumbled on the Council has showcased major investments to Falkirk and Grangemouth – backed by Government cash from a growth deal.

Members have also debated building a new headquarters in Falkirk.

Mrs Hunt said: “The impression is that the council seems to want to splash cash on the centre of the district but to inflict cutbacks on outlying communities like Bo’ness.

“We’re a growing community and we deserve decent, well-funded facilities. When we asked, quite reasonably, to talk to people we’ve been left waiting.

“Our Falkirk Council members can’t even raise these issues at the council’s new emergency executive as there are no places for them.”

Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn, leader of the council, said: “The emergency executive was set up in line with the council’s standing orders and was agreed by full council. It is proportional by political groups.

“It comprised the leaders of each of the political groups and the most relevant portfolio holders to deal with the emergency decisions that would require to be made during the acute phase of Covid response.

“At the council meeting at the end of June it was unanimously agreed to continue the emergency committee and that it be reviewed again at council on September 30.

“I anticipate that at that time members will resume the normal committees and meeting cycle but they will continue be held virtually.”

Mrs Meiklejohn also pointed out that until very recently Bo’ness Councillor Lynn Munro was a member of the emergency executive until she was replaced by Councillor James Kerr as the new Conservative group leader.

Labour Group leader Robert Bissett said: “Although not all areas are represented what we do is discuss at the Labour Group the agenda set by the SNP administration.

“If there is something on the agenda affecting Bo’ness, Grangemouth, Denny, etc., then members have to opportunity to discuss their ward and if needed bring forward motions or amendments.”

Conservative group leader James Kerr said: “Our three members were chosen as myself as leader of the group, Councillor Nigel Harris as deputy leader of the group and Councillor Malcom Nicol for his vast experience and knowledge. We didn’t choose to cover ward areas.”