Case Study 17 Communities Along The Carron

Crown copyright and database right 2012.All rights reserved. 10002151. The Communities Along The Carron Association (CATCA) brings together residents from 16 different communities located along the River Carron in the area. Working with a diverse range of partners, the group works to ensure that the Carron is a clean, safe, attractive, accessible and usable greenspace for the people of all the communities it fl ows through. Context

The River Carron rises in the Campsie Fells, “CATCA has been able to achieve north of Glasgow. Although it has a total many improvements in the local network length of 75 miles, the main section communities which would not have comprises of 20 miles of water fl owing from been possible without their tireless Carron Valley Reservoir into the efforts hard work and commitment near . to the cause. They are great The river and surrounding banks are important ambassadors for volunteering.” for wildlife. Carron Glen is a SSSI managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust and is home to Councillor John McNally several locally rare plants and the woodland is also important for birds such as green Project Background woodpeckers and spotted fl ycatchers. In early spring 2009, a Communities Along The Kingfi shers and dippers are often seen along Carron Steering Group was formed comprising the river which is an important breeding ground representatives from Falkirk Council for both Sea Trout and Atlantic Salmon. Community Planning Partnership, CVS, Falkirk In addition to wildlife, the Carron supports 16 Council Development Services and Forth communities, including , Denny, Valley and Lomond LEADER and community , Skinfl ats, and Langlees based consultants. After consultations with all providing these residents with a rich and 16 Carron communities, CATCA comprising of varied greenspace resource. volunteers from all of these communities was

Communities Along The Carron 1 Key Points • The starting point was a piece of community consultation identifying the concerns and issues of local residents and users. • CATCA prioritised and developed this list into a structured action plan designed to deliver local improvements. • CATCA is an enabling organisation able to complement volunteer activities with the professional world of project managers, consultant engineers and contractors. • Since formation, CATCA has been instrumental in raising over £250,000 for River related projects. constituted in March 2010 on World Water Day considerable amount of volunteer hours to the during the International Year of Biodiversity and administration of CATCA, the group’s projects identifi ed 31 projects to refl ect the concerns are all volunteer-led. This includes regular identifi ed and expressed by the local people. litter picks, publicity and awareness raising, CATCA then networked with potential funders, through to liaising with government bodies stakeholders and Falkirk Council to prioritise and seeking funding opportunities. the project list and began to procure funding An example of partnership working is for the projects. volunteers monitor river water quality on a monthly basis and are in regular contact with What it Does statuary bodies such as SEPA and Scottish CATCA is an enabling organisation. It optimises Water to take action on pollution incidents the mutual benefi ts of working in formal and when necessary. informal partnerships with stakeholders and funders towards its identifi ed targets. It has developed strong links with community groups such as Community Green Initiative in Denny & , interest groups like the and Stenhousemuir Angling Club, and also professional bodies including River Carron Fisheries Management Group and relevant departments with Falkirk Council. Additionally, CATCA work closely with organisations such as Central Forest Trust, SUSTRANS, Paths for All, the HELIX, and Callendar Estates. The strategic intent for the fi rst fi ve year period Since formation, CATCA has been instrumental is to contribute to the regeneration of the River in raising over £250,000 for River related Carron, transforming the aspirations of its projects. An example of one project which has communities into actions by addressing: been of major benefi t to local residents is Dale • water quality/wildlife habitat enhancement; Bridge, a 31.5M long, metal bridge spanning • litter and fl y tipping clean ups; the Carron allowing access into a rich network • path network development; of historic paths and woodland. • education, culture and heritage projects; From the outset CATCA recognised that the key • control of invasive plant species; to sustainability of the planned improvements • wider economic, social development. was education and awareness raising. It has Aside from the eight core members of the worked with schools to engage them in local management committee who donate a learning activities including John Muir Awards,

Communities Along The Carron 2 litter clean ups, raising fi sh eggs and releasing acknowledge that what is done to the river at fry into the river and identifying the negative one end impacts what happens at the other. impacts people can have on the environment and how to resolve these issues. Future Although CATCA has made a great impact in CSGN Support and Learning the short time since it has been formed, there An important part of CATCA’s activity is the is still much to be done. Current funding for a collective dialogue between key players Project Offi cer ends in March 2013 and they operating in a shared defi ned geographic are working hard to extend this. There is also area. In this way, it brings together residents, an immediate ambition to work with Scottish landowners, local authorities, interest groups Transport to improve path networks. and the business sector and identifi es issues of mutual interest. From this it has created a design vision to enhance and develop the area as a signifi cant resource which will have profound improvements on social, economic and environmental levels. In particular, through involvement with this project, the 16 local communities are beginning to connect as one big interdependent and thriving riverside community. The people are beginning to

Outcomes Better Health: Residents have opportunity to have healthier and more active lives using a local greenspace resource. Connecting Communities: The project has connected communities along the rivers as a variety of volunteer groups and individual residents work together to achieve common goals. Improved Environement: The river regeneration works undertaken by both professionals and volunteers has cleaned the river including the removal of tonnes of litter and fl y tipping. Improved Biodiversity: CATCA was instrumental in initiating the Falkirk Invasive Species Forum which spearheads actions to remove non-native invasive plants from the area. Improved Economy: Improvements helps to stimulate visits - particularly from anglers who spend money in the local area. Volunteer work also provides opportunities for CV development and training for unemployed residents and students, helping to make them more job ready.

Communities Along The Carron 3 Location The Maps below show Falkirk council area and the River Carron corridor.

© Crown Copyright and database right 2012. All rights reserved. 100002151.

Contact Project Partners Christine Bell, Project Offi cer Falkirk Council Communities Along the Carron Association Central Scotland Forest Trust Antonine Room, Community Project LASER Group Camelon Education Centre, Abercrombie River Carron Fisheries Management Group Street, Camelon, FK1 4AH Tel 01324 501962 Mobile 07977778073 [email protected] www.catca.org.uk

What is the CSGN? The CSGN is a national development within the National Planning Framework which aims to make ‘a signifi cant contribution to Scotland’s sustainable economic development’. It involves public agencies and stakeholders (those with an interest in our work) working together to align their policies, programmes and actions to achieve a common aim. That aim is to change the face of Central Scotland by restoring and improving the rural and urban landscape of the area.

Getting in Touch To discuss this case study please contact: Stephen Hughes, Monitoring & Evaluation Offi cer, Central Scotland Green Network Support Unit. E-mail: [email protected]

For further information on other case studies please visit: www.centralscotlandgreennetwork.org

Communities Along The Carron 4

Oct 2012