Better Barrhead News - Archive 06 to July 07
Community Engagement 31.07.07
It is essential that local residents and interest groups are involved in shaping Barrhead’s changing landscape. There are many opportunities for community engagement in the regeneration process.
A working group involving the Council’s Regeneration and Community Planning Services and Voluntary Action has been established to agree on the best way to engage the local communities in the Master Plan proposals.
With reference to the National Standards for Community Engagement, the working group will produce a plan that will direct the community engagement activities of the Barrhead Regeneration team and its consultants.
For more information contact Gavin Russell on 0141 577 3499 or
gavin.russell@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk
Transportation Study 31.07.07
The proposed developments within the Barrhead town centre masterplan will have a significant impact on the transport network. To determine exactly how a newly regenerated Barrhead will affect the transport network East Renfrewshire Council has appointed transport consultants Colin Buchanan.
To reach their conclusions the consultants are assessing the current roads network, identifying future travel demand based on the regeneration proposals and producing options to improve the transport network to support the new developments. In consultation with East Renfrewshire Council the consultants will arrive at a preferred option for improving the network and will provide costs and an implementation programme for improvements.
The study is expected to be concluded by September 2007. Updates to follow.
For more information contact Gillian McNamara on 0141 577 3044 or
gillian.mcnamara@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk
Maximising Jobs and Training Opportunities 19.07.07
The regeneration of Barrhead involves more than new developments and the improvement of the physcial environment. East Renfrewshire Council is committed to helping Barrhead’s residents to benefit from jobs and training arising from the construction of the new developments.
In collaboration with Scottish Enterprise Lanarkshire, the Council will shortly be recruiting consultants to advise on most effective method of maximising the economic benefits locally through employability measures, particularly through the use of community benefit packages.
For more information contact Gavin Russell on 0141 577 3499 or
gavin.russell@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk
A Healthy Town Centre 19.07.07
In line with current national regeneration policy, East Renfrewshire Council will begin to carry out annual town centre health checks in Barrhead. The checks will inform the Council on the vitality and viability of Barrhead town centre.
The criteria used to monitor the health of the town centre will include pedestrian flow (footfall), rental values, the availability of certain services and types of shops present in the town centre and commercial yield. Consumer surveys will also be undertaken.
The work is being supported by Scottish Enterprise Renfrewshire.
For more information contact Gavin Russell on 0141 577 3499 or
gavin.russell@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk
Barrhead Gala Day 11.06.07
On 9 June 2007 Barrhead’s 33rd annual Gala Day took place in Cowan Park
The 3 dimensional model of the town centre Master Plan was on display for the first time at the event and Gavin Russell from the Council’s Barrhead Regeneration team was on hand to answer questions on the regeneration proposals.
The day was a huge success, with many constructive and informative comments on the proposals being expressed.
For more information contact Gavin Russell on 0141 577 3499 or
gavin.russell@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk
A Better Public Realm for Barrhead
The Better Barrhead project includes a range of public realm and landscaping projects between 2008/09 and 2010/11. These projects include a new civic square, linear park, the realignment of the Levern Water and façade improvements to Barrhead sports centre. Also included in this list of projects will be commercial enhancement zones for Main Street and Cross Arthurlie Street. These zones will take the form of partnerships between the Council, the community and local traders and will discuss issues like potential footway improvements, changes to street furniture, soft and hard landscaping and potential building improvements. The total value of all these projects including fees currently stands at c.£3.4m.
To ensure that there is an integrated approach to all of these public realm and landscaping projects, East Renfrewshire Council will be appointing a lead consultant to prepare a design framework and design guidance. The framework and guidance will provide a palate of materials and design options that will be used for all Better Barrhead projects and referred to in discussions with private developers. This will ensure that materials and design standards are used in a consistent way and of an appropriate quality throughout Barrhead.
The consultant will then design the public realm and landscaping projects.
The consultant will also be required to advise upon the most effective way to ensure that the economic and employment benefits that will arise from the regeneration process benefit the community by producing community benefit packages which will see training and employment opportunities provided by contractors within Better Barrhead projects whenever possible.
The consultants will also be heavily involved with the Council when it undertakes community consultation for each of the Better Barrhead projects. Their role will be to suggest suitable consultation methodology, to present their ideas to the relevant groups and, when appropriate, facilitate consultation events.
It is anticipated that the consultants will be appointed in November 2007. The development of the design framework and guidance will take place between December 2007 and March 2008, with many of the projects getting underway shortly early in the 2008/09 financial year.
Top marks make St Mark’s Scotland’s best school - 19.03.07
Minister congratulates school personally
St Mark’s Primary School, Barrhead, is Scotland’s best school -primary or secondary.
Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Education have awarded St Mark’s a Scottish ‘first’ with an unprecedented 11 ‘excellents’ in their report on the 264-pupil East Renfrewshire school published on Tuesday 20 March. And the school has notched up another Scottish ‘first’ for gaining an ‘excellent’ for teaching, described by the education watchdogs as ‘outstanding’.
Now Scottish Executive Education Minister Hugh Henry met pupils, staff and parents at the school on Monday 19 March, the day before the report officially hits the streets, to congratulate them personally on their outstanding achievement.
Top marks for St MarksEarning the top ‘excellent’ category are teaching; pupils’ learning experiences; pupils’ attainment in English language; pastoral care; climate and relationships; expectations and promoting achievement; equality and fairness; partnership with parents, school board and community; leadership of the head teacher; leadership across the school and self-evaluation.
The remaining four categories- structure across the curriculum, attainment in maths, meeting pupils’ needs and accommodation and facilities- all scored ‘very good’s’. The HMIe definition of ‘excellent’ is ‘outstanding, sector leading’, and ‘very good’ is ‘major strengths’.
St Mark’s serves a socially-mixed catchment covering the Auchenback and Springhill areas of Barrhead and 22 per cent of pupils qualify for free school meals. Around one third of the school roll comes from outwith the catchment area with parents choosing St Mark’s through placing requests.
The report means that St Mark’s now tops Our Lady of the Missions Primary School, Thornliebank, also in East Renfrewshire, which took the title of Scotland’s then best school with nine ‘excellents’ in its HMIe report published in October 2006.
Head teacher Patricia Kennedy, the school management team and all staff were praised by the inspectors for their excellent work across the board in making St Mark’s what it is, and, especially, for placing the needs of individual pupils `at the centre of all improvements.
Pupils were praised for being friendly, confident and well behaved and inspectors said that the broad and well-balanced curriculum provided excellently for their spiritual, personal and social development. Parish priest, Father Stephen Baillie, and his parish team visited the school regularly and provided a high level of spiritual support to pupils, staff and parents.
Hugh Henry said: “We want all schools to be excellent schools- places where all pupils have the chance to realise their full potential. St Mark’s is a great example of just what can be achieved. You can only achieve results like this with a team effort, where everyone is involved. That’s why I’d like to congratulate the head teacher, every member of staff, parents and pupils for all their efforts and wish them well for the future-as they go on to even greater things.”
Head teacher Patricia Kennedy said: “If St Mark’s does have a secret for success, it’s simply that everyone on the staff thinks about the sort of education we would want to provide our own children, which would be the best possible. We then go on to deliver that for all of our pupils. The report is a tremendous tribute to the work of everyone at St Mark’s, all of our pupils, our staff and parents, parish and community. We’re delighted with the report and very proud indeed of what each and every one of our pupils achieves and attains at St Mark’s.”
East Renfrewshire’s education convener Councillor Mary Montague said: “This report is a true reflection of the wonderful work done by Mrs Kennedy and everyone at St Mark’s. It is sometimes claimed by people outwith East Renfrewshire that we can’t help doing exceptionally well and caricature us as a leafy suburb. But here is a primary school which serves a mixed catchment area, with a wide variety of housing types and social backgrounds, and it has outperformed schools in more affluent parts of our area and elsewhere. Its success has much more to do with the high quality of the work at St Mark’s and the backing we give all of our schools rather than postcode or social factors. We are currently pushing forward a £100m Better Barrhead campaign to regenerate the town and schools have a key role to play in that process. St Mark’s shows just what talents our young people have as the future of Barrhead and of East Renfrewshire. ”
The full report will be available on the HMIe website at www.hmie.gov.uk from Tuesday 20 March.
A Better Health Centre - 13.03.07
A better health centre for Barrhead came a step closer.
For Andy Kerr, Minister for Health and Community Care joined local MSP, Ken Macintosh, in the town and met some of the staff involved in developing plans for the new Barrhead Health and Social Care Centre.
During the visit, the Minister was taken on a short tour of the existing Barrhead Health Centre and shown the site of the former Carlibar Primary School where the new centre will be built.
The new purpose-built £18m centre will provide a wide range of health and social work services. These include minor surgery, physiotherapy, podiatry (foot care), community nursing, social work and home care services.
It will also provide accommodation for three GP practices, day-care and support services for older people and community mental health services, all in a modern and attractive environment.
Health Minister Andy Kerr said: "I remain keen to see this project progressed as soon as possible. I am very pleased that the Initial Agreement for the project - the first stage of the business case process - has now been approved for the replacement of the existing facility. I look forward to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde moving quickly on with the Outline Business Case during the summer months."
Councillor Danny Collins, Deputy Leader of East Renfrewshire Council and Chair of the East Renfrewshire CHCP, said: “The development of the new Barrhead Health and Social Care Centre is good news for the people of Barrhead and the surrounding areas. It demonstrates our commitment to the local area and is a key part of the wider regeneration plan for the town.
Outline plans for the new centre are currently being finalised and are due to be submitted to the Scottish Executive during April 2007. Work on the detailed design will then be taken forward to enable the full business case to be completed by August 2008. If approved, construction work on the new centre should start in late 2008 and be completed during 2010. A programme of maintenance and repair work will be carried out on the existing centre to ensure that it can continue to operate until the new centre is completed.
East Renfrewshire FE College Takes Step Forward - 09.03.07
The drive for a £11m combined further education college, library and arts space for Barrhead has taken a step forward after the representatives of the three colleges involved, Reid Kerr, Cardonald and Langside, met with East Renfrewshire’s director of environment last week to take the project forward.
Reid Kerr principal Joe Mooney reported on an encouraging meeting to discuss the project and funding with the Scottish Funding Council, the body which controls further and higher education cash allocations. He and Cardonald College principal, Ros Micklem and Langside depute principal Bob Paterson looked over plans for the new college with Andy Cahill, East Renfrewshire’s environment director. They then visited Barrhead Sports Centre where they met community services bosses to look at setting up courses at the new college using the sports facilities, and examined the proposed college site in Glen Street.
Andy Cahill said: 'East Renfrewshire College is a key part of our Better Barrhead regeneration campaign and we are making significant progress towards making the college a reality. The three colleges are now getting together, with Reid Kerr as lead partner, to look at what courses will be run as well as talking to our own schools chiefs as work with East Renfrewshire schools will be a key part of what the college does. Talks will also continue with leisure and cultural service bosses. Our target date for opening is 2009.'
East Renfrewshire Council has already set aside £4m of capital cash for the college. The balance is being sought from the funding council, Scottish Enterprise Renfrewshire, the Scottish Executive, European funds and possible capital receipts resulting from the council’s Barrhead regeneration
*Looking over the plans for the new Barrhead college are left to right Bob Paterson, depute principal, Langside College; Andy Cahill, East Renfrewshire Council environment director; Joe Mooney, principal Reid Kerr College and Ros Micklem, Cardonald College principal
Better Barrhead goes online - 13.03.07
Council regeneration bosses are building a better Barr-web.
For East Renfrewshire Council’s regeneration plans for the town of Barrhead have gone online.
At the council’s recent business dinner the brand new better Barrhead website – www.betterbarrhead.co.uk - was launched.
And it’s set to be the source for local information to build up the better Barrhead campaign messages.
Environment convener Councillor Alan Lafferty, said: “We want to get the message out as widely as we can. With serious plans in place, new business facilities and investment worth £100m over the next ten years, Barrhead’s set to get a whole lot better.
“Our new website at www.betterbarrhead.co.uk will point people in the right direction if they’re looking for a town that’s on the way up. Whether it’s building a family or building a business, a better Barrhead’s got something to offer.”
Dunterlie on show - 13.03.07
As part of the better Barrhead regeneration plans, the Dunterlie area of the town is set for a makeover.
For East Renfrewshire Council has teamed up with well-known construction firm Halcrow to draw up plans for environmental improvements.
Plans put forward include improving entranceways into the area, tree planting, new and improved fences and a training scheme for local unemployed people.
Local residents have been invited to Dunterlie Community Centre on Tuesday 20 March between 3 and 7pm where details will be on display.
East Renfrewshire’s environment convener, Councillor Alan Lafferty, said: “This is another step towards our wider goal of building a better Barrhead.
“I would urge local residents to visit the community centre and find out more about how we can improve their local environment,” he added.
Barrhead and Neilston welcome £740,000 regeneration boost - 26.02.07
Council house tenants in Barrhead and Neilston are set to benefit from £740,000 investment over the next two years.
The cash boost was received from Communities Scotland, to help regenerate housing estate areas in areas of deprivation and disadvantage in East Renfrewshire.
The proposed projects will improve the environment and community safety of the Barrhead and Neilston areas. It’s also hoped an employment and training project linked to the environmental works will also be set up.
Improvements planned include new street lights with white lighting, improving the play area and parking in Madras Place in Neilston and improving landscaping generally.
A cash injection of £268,000 has been earmarked for 2006/07 works, with the council set to receive a further £472,000 for works taking place in 2007/08.
Communities Scotland awarded ‘Housing Estate Regeneration Funds’ to councils who have retained ownership of their housing stock.
Each of the projects to be undertaken has been developed in consultation with tenants and residents who live in the areas concerned.
Council leader, councillor Jim Fletcher said: “Receiving this funding from Communities Scotland will enable us to improve the quality of life for everyone living in these areas.”
Communities minister, Rhona Brankin, said: “This funding from Communities Scotland is available to support councils who have demonstrated they can retain their housing stock and meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard by 2015.
“The information East Renfrewshire has provided, indicates that it can do so.
“This award will improve areas in East Renfrewshire which are in desperate need of regeneration. It will also include funding for new street lighting and landscaping to improve the area around people’s homes and make them more secure.
“I’m pleased to say that the plans will link into wider regeneration efforts and create jobs and training opportunities for local people.”
£100m masterplan for a better Barrhead - 06.10.06
East Renfrewshire Council has revealed its masterplan for regenerating the town of Barrhead. And it means more than £100m invested over the next ten years.
The East Renfrewshire town is set for a new lease of life with better shopping, better local services and better housing. Among the initiatives for the town are a brand new college and library centre that will bring further education and learning within reach of many more residents.
The masterplan includes a brand new civic square as a focal point for the town centre. There are plans to build a major supermarket with interest from some of the biggest retail names in the country and for more small shops in the town. The masterplan also includes plans for a new road to connect the two main shopping areas, the Main Street with Cross Arthurlie Street. The Levern Walkway and other green park areas of the town will get new investment and there’s extra cash for pedestrian areas and to make road improvements to enhance the existing local businesses.
There’s also plans to build up to 300 more houses in the town. Environment convener Councillor Alan Lafferty said: “We’ve been through a long process of consulting with local residents and finding out the best option for improving Barrhead. “It’s a long term goal to improve an entire town centre. But things are already starting to fall into place with the recent announcement to locate the new health and social care centre on the former Carlibar primary school site. “Barrhead is a town with a deep and rich history. The plans that we are putting in place today are designed to move the town for ward and to make major improvements. “We want to build a better Barrhead for this and for future generations. “We want a Barrhead that’s better for children, better for older people better for families and that’s better for businesses,” added Councillor Lafferty.
Timescales for the plans are that the major projects for regenerating the town should be in place by 2012. Work could begin on realigning Glen Street and the Levern Water towards the middle of next year alongside relocating industrial units at Robertson Street and Barnes Street to less cramped units. Work on the new health and care centre could begin as early as the end of 2008, subject to a full business case being presented and planning permission being agreed. Plans to improve the existing Main Street and Westbourne Centre shopping areas could start in 2007 or 2008, depending on agreement with the owners. The civic square centre piece for the town could be in place in 2010 but depends on the health centre being relocated. Work on the supermarket could start in mid to late 2008 and should tie in with the timing of the new health and social care centre.