Events

Motherwell Youth Voice – Youth be Heard

Following on from the hugely successful Truth About Youth Awards, these awards recognising the achievements and contributions of our young people in making a difference in their community, news has reached us of another innovative event being organised by Motherwell Youth Voice.

The event will give our young people the opportunity to quiz decision makers and our elected representatives on all matters of note, a tough gig for the invited guests. Read more here.

Felix Mulholland (Chair of MCF) has accepted an invitation from the group to attend the event and hear the range of issues and concerns being raised by our young people.

>> Back to Top of Page

Local Area Partnership – Local issues

20th January 2011 marks a year to the day when the Forum was contacted about the state of disrepair of the various footpaths/bridges that span the railway line at key points in our area. To be honest this was an issue that was already on our radar and an issue that we know had been raised by other local groups long before we got involved. In short this is a long standing issue.

For our part, we tabled the matter for discussion/action at the Local Area Partnership. The Convenor of the Local Area Partnership acting in his role as Business Manager for the Council directed the matter to NLC's Head of Roads and Transportation. Sadly to date there is little of note for us to report back on. Consequently given the significance and strategic positioning of these footpaths and bridges we have asked for an update on the progress made to resolve matters, that is, have these footpaths and bridges brought up to an acceptable standard of repair soonest. We will let you know how we get on.

The Bridges though is just one of the issues we raised at the LAP, the poor state of repair of our roads and increasing problems of congestion around the town, concerns about levels of fuel poverty, and on a more positive note news that the creation of a Strategy for our Town Centre is back on the agenda are just a few of the many issues of local import/concern and or note that we have raised at the LAP. Please let us know if there are any issues of specific concern within your community or area that you think we should look at.

>> Back to Top of Page

Sainsbury's - Formal Planning Application


Sainsbury's for Motherwell ?

Back in March 2011 Sainsbury's announced its intentions of constructing a supermarket with adjoining fuel filing station in Motherwell. The announcement was widely covered in the local press.

Sainsbury's undertook a series of consultation events with the local community in the months that followed culminating in the submission of the formal planning application on 2 November 2011.

Given the imposing scale of the proposed development, some say more akin to an out of town development and the fact that the chosen location is a prime locale in the Motherwell area it is not surprising that the planning application has provoked strong opinions from those who support the proposal and those who object to it.

MCF has discussed the issue on several occasions and at some length in recent months, most recently at our monthly meeting on 24 November 2011, when Stewart Gray, Secretary of the Ladywell Community Council addressed the meeting on this issue and set out for us the concerns of that group and explain why the Community Council would be objecting to the application. As it happened, a delegation of representatives from the local Muslim Community (including in their number owners of a number of small businesses in the area) were also in attendance at that meeting. Following our deliberations the Forum decide to make a comment on the application, our comments a summation of the opinions voiced on the night You can read our contribution here.

Motherwell is not a town that can easily turn away inward investment of this scale. The prospect of any work in an area blighted by high levels of long term unemployment turning away 300 jobs might seem incomprehensible to some. However, if approved the location and scale of the proposed development is bound to have detrimental consequences for the viability and sustainability of our town centre and many small businesses dotted around the area.The Forum does not envy the decision makers their task.

>> Back to Top of Page

Greenlink Halloween Health Walks

Motherwell Community Forum and NHS Lanarkshire are sponsoring what is fast becoming a must attend event on the calendar of the socialite class in these parts. Seriously though!

The Greenlink Halloween Event has been a huge success in recent years and is well supported by local people of all ages we expect this year will be no different.

Wed.26th Oct (Braidhurst St)
and Thursday 27th Oct ( Shields Glen) 6,50pm - 8pm.

You can see from the picture aside that people really enter into the spirit (groan) of the event. We would encourage all to get along and participate on the night. Its FREE. Its FUN. It's for EVERYONE (although children must be accompanied by adults).

>> Back to Top of Page

Truth About Youth Awards

Your chance to nominate a Young Person in Motherwell who has "Gone that Extra Mile…" Click here to see the full poster.

>> Back to Top of Page

Hard Choices – Big Decisions


March for an Alternative to cuts.

Since taking up office in May of last year, the UK's Coalition Government has announced a number of measures to deal with the deficit they inherited, the deficit caused in the main by the turmoil in the financial markets.

The UK Deficit is real. The deficit has to be tackled; but how best to tackle it is another matter. The UK Government has decided to take a tough love approach to the whole question; preferring to implement deep cuts in public spending now. The idea being that not only does this deal with the deficit much sooner than might otherwise be the case but if successful it would secure brighter prospects for the UK economy longer term and might also create a balanced economy, that is, an economy no longer dependant on the housing market and service sector for growth.

Increasingly cuts in Public Sector Budgets and a radical overhaul of the Welfare State are bringing ever more issues to the fore in our communities, for example, changes to the Disability Living Allowance, and cuts in front line services and increasing youth unemployment are just some of the concerns that have been raised by community representatives and active citizens at recent Forum meetings. The cuts go deep and some say the heaviest burden falls on the shoulders of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in our community.

A loose coalition comprising as diverse and disparate a group as has ever been assembled in the UK has been formed under a single cause – all are opposed to the pace, scale and severity of the austerity measures being implemented by the UK's Coalition Government in Westminster.

Those opposed to the cuts do not deny that the UK deficit must be tackled. Neither do they argue for the Status Quo. Nor are they protectionist. They do however believe that there is a credible alternative to dealing with the deficit which would help maintain the economic recovery whilst protecting the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in our community from having to pay proportionately the heaviest penalty for the folly of others.

The TUC has organised a March to give those opposed to the cuts an opportunity to have their voice heard. The March is scheduled to take place on Saturday 26 March in London. Full details of the March can be found on the following links.

TUC

Public Commercial Services Union

>> Back to Top of Page

Forgewood - Participative Budgeting - Update


Participative Budgeting – Community Safety and Well Being – Community Champions

Visitors to this site will recall that MCF was happy to lend its support to an exciting new initiative being piloted in Forgewood.

Originally titled Participative Budgeting but rebranded Community Well Being, the initiative was set the goal of supporting the local community to consider simple, cost effective and doable projects that would improve community safety and engender a feeling of well being in the community.

With the support from Officers from various departments within NLC, a steering group comprising residents from the Estate was set up and given the task of creating opportunities for the wider community to get involved in the process of identifying works that would fit the bill for the initiative.

The group took a tour of the Estate and environs, consulted with local groups operating in the area and then drew up a short list of possible works that met the relevant criteria of the initiative. Having created the short list of works the Steering Group then organised a meeting for the wider community to come along and vote on the various options. This meeting resulted in the following works being identified as worthy of support/funding: -

  • Greenlink Access points – Dalriada Cres and Talisman Cres
  • Bin storage and waste disposal Woodville Rise (some aspects to be ironed out)
  • Tree Pruning – Woodville Rise
  • Street Lighting at the shops on Kylemore Crescent
  • Lane closure to the rear of the shops – linking Fife Drive to Kylemore Cres


The severe weather that the country endured throughout December 2010 has put back the schedule of works back a bit. But those closely involved with the initiative remain confident that all the works will be completed on time.

When complete these works should improve greatly Community Safety in the area and in so doing enhance the quality of life of residents and visitors to the area.

Of course, there are lessons to be learned from initiative, which is precisely the reason they it was piloted before roll out to the wider community. Even so, and without wishing to mask over the difficulties encountered on the way, this initiative demonstrates how even small amounts of funding if channelled to meet local need can have a positive effect disproportionate to the amount of spend. Put simply, with the proper support, resources and leadership decisions affecting local communities can be left to local communities to decide upon for themselves.

>> Back to Top of Page

Gridlock

A short but heavy snow of fall during the morning rush hour traffic brought mayhem and misery in equal measure to commuters across Scotland on Monday 6 December 2010.

Some commuters were forced to spend an uneasy day and night trapped in their vehicles because of the Gridlock that brought the Motorway and main roads networks to a complete standstill in Lanarkshire and parts of the Central Belt of Scotland, an area that is traditionally recognised as the transport hub for Scotland.

The personal stories of those caught up in the mayhem would fill many volumes. Particularly hit those less able, and or with young children on board.

The response of the authorities to the ensuing mayhem was risible. Worst still, commuters caught up in the Gridlock were given little or no information about the unfolding chaos during the day. This lack of information equalled only by the lack of support and assistance to those stuck in their cars during the day and night.

It is estimated that 1000 cars had to be abandoned by their drivers.

The Minister for Transport was forced into withdrawing comments that he made during an interview on BBC Scotland's Newsnight problem when he intimidated that the authorities were not given sufficient advice about the approaching snow storm and that worse still the response to the storm was sufficient.

Shame and blame for the mayhem does not rest solely on the shoulders of the Minister for Transport. It is clear that there was a lack of co-ordination, planning and resources across all sectors with responsibility for ensuring our roads remain open and safe for use by commuters.

The Forum has canvassed the views of our members about this issue. We shall do what we can to ensure the extent of our community's anger about the Gridlock is raised with the Council at the earliest opportunity.

We shall keep you posted of developments. Meantime we have created a list of web links that we trust visitors to this site find useful in their efforts to get information on all aspects to do with the disruption caused by the weather.

Links

Met Office – For up to the minute updates on weather in your area and across the UK see Met Office

Traffic Scotland – For all traffic and related transport information for Scotland see Traffic Scotland

For advice on Driving in Bad Weather

For details of Schools closures in North Lanarkshire

For updates on gritting services in your area Gritting Update



>> Back to Top of Page

Hard Choices Big Decisions Public Meeting


Your chance to contribute to the proposed savings

A few weeks back North Lanarkshire Council announced the need to make budget savings of £55 to £70 million over the next two years. The proposed savings equate to about 7% of the NL Budget. At first glance, you might think that savings of this relatively small scale would be simple enough to achieve and might have little effect on front line services. However, the proposed savings have to be seen in the context of continuing uncertainty in the wider economic outlook for the UK and Scotland in particular.

The proposed savings come at a time when our public sector has already been put under pressure to deliver Best Value for the public £. Other major public sector organisations will be asked to deliver similar savings and more to those being sought by NL Council. The cumulative effect of all these cuts will have a telling effect on the Lanarkshire economy; nowhere more telling than in the households of the 2000 employees who might find themselves out of work as a result of the cuts arising from the savings.

North Lanarkshire is second only to Glasgow in respect of the number of Data Zones, (areas of disadvantaged) within its boundaries. Any cuts in front line services will hit the poorest and most vulnerable in our community the hardest.

Put simply, the proposed cuts of 7% could have a far more telling effect on the quality and level of service and the wider Lanarkshire economy than might be thought, at first glance. Recognising the seriousness of the situation, the Council has signalled its desire to ensure, employees, residents, businesses and service users across North Lanarkshire have their say on the proposed savings ahead of any final decisions being taken.

Hard Choices, Big Decisions

The Council has given over space in their website to the issue under a new section Hard Choices, Big Decision. This section sets out the background to the cut, the extent of the impact of the savings on services and our communities, and provides visitors to the site with the opportunity to contribute to the discussion by way of email or completing a brief survey. We would urge you to visit this site and contribute to the discussion.

Public Meeting – Have your say

Motherwell Community Forum is one of eight operating across North Lanarkshire. The Fora are independent of Council control and or influence. Indeed, each Forum operates independently of each other. The benefit of this loose association is that the Forum is better placed to develop structures that are best suited to the needs of the area that each Forum represents.

Although careful to protect their independence, the Fora work in partnership with the Council on identifying and working to resolve problems raised by the communities and or that are common across NL. The Fora therefore has an important role to play in creating events that will give all with an interest in contributing to the discussion about the proposed savings the opportunity to do so. Motherwell Community Forum has set aside its monthly meeting for September to this issue.

An Executive Officer of the Council will be in attendance on the night. The Executive Officer will set out the background to the cuts and spell out the scale and impact of the current proposals for service delivery and jobs. A short time will be set aside to allow the community to put questions and comment on the current proposals.

The meeting is scheduled for Thursday 30 September, in Committee Rooms 1 and 2, in the Civic Centre, Motherwell; the meeting commences 7pm sharp.

All residents of the Motherwell area and those with an interest in the area are invited along to this meeting. To help with the logistics, we would ask you to drop us an email indicating your intention to join us on the night and tell us about any question you want tabled on the night. Or if you prefer you can email us on motherwellcommunityforum@yahoo.co.uk or post comments on the Vox Pop feature on this website. We are also on Facebook.

>> Back to Top of Page

LAMH - SPECIAL OFFER ON REFURBISHED PC'S


LAMH Recycle Ltd is a Motherwell based social enterprise, with charitable status, which provides work place opportunities for people experiencing mental ill health and other disadvantaged groups through our business activities;

  • Computer Recycling
  • PC Sales and Services
  • Can Recycling
Our chums at LAMH Recycle are offering affordable, high quality PC systems and services for both business and domestic use.

The offer means you can get your hands on a PC with, Pentium 4 Systems with TFT monitor, matching keyboard and mouse plus 1 year warranty start from as little as £70!

LAMH Recycle is also offering a free PC health check. And if the chance of getting your hands on a really great deal on a PC isn't enough you can also take advantage of low cost repairs and upgrades of your existing PC.

Contact us at:

LAMH Recycle Ltd
Unit 2, Dellburn Trading Park
69 Meadow Road
Motherwel ML1 1QB

T:01698 264100
E:laurawalker@lamhrecycle.co.uk
W:www.lamhrecycle.co.uk

>> Back to Top of Page

Thinking about constructing a Website but don't know where to begin - help is at hand!

I am writing from the Volunteer Centre to enquire if anyone knows of any organisations in the local area (particularly Wishaw-Motherwell) that would benefit from a volunteer supporting IT systems/website design.

We have a volunteer from the Wishaw area, which has excellent skills in these areas and would be willing to give his time to help a local organisation with their systems / website - let me know if you think you could use his expertise.

Please reply to craig@nlvda.org and not noreply@nlvda.org if you have any suggestions - thanks!

>> Back to Top of Page

Shaping the Future

The forum has decided to establish a dedicated subgroup to look at solely at the town centre.

Forum chair Felix Mulholland explained: "The group's aim is, in the first instance, to promote a stakeholder day in late April to clarify the various planning streams that impact on the town centre, to understand the context for these plans and to look at how these plans will develop and establish where the community can effectively influence these plans."

"We have been very encouraged by the willingness of the planning department and other stakeholders to our initial suggestion and their eagerness to engage in a constructive dialogue with representatives of the wider communities in Motherwell. We're excited about the potential of the day and will start to investigate how we can help start a wider consultation on the issues raised."

>> Back to Top of Page