COUNCIL

REPORT

To: COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE Subject: GOOD NEWS

From: DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY SERVICES

Date: 24 MAY 2006 Ref: PJ/LMcM/JP

1. INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this report is to advise committee of current 'good news' stories within the department.

2. GOOD NEWS ITEMS

A list of the current 'good news' stories is attached as appendix 1.

3. RECOMMENDATION

That members note the report.

There are no background papers relevant to this report

I:\COMMITTEE\COMSERVGENERAL\24 MAY 2006\GOOD NEWS REP.DOC 1. DEPARTMENTAL

1.1 Access NL Celebrates 10,00OthMember

The popular Access NL scheme has recently welcomed its 10,OOOth member highlighting further the incredible success of the initiative. Since its launch, involving TV personality Sarah Heaney, at the end of 2003, residents throughout the authority have been quick to take advantage of the excellent facilities on offer.

1.2 Lollipop Ladv Scoops Top Award

Popular lollipop lady Moira Stallard recently landed a prestigious award after being nominated by pupils at Clarkston Primary School in Airdrie. Moira, who has worked at the Airdrie school for 20 years, was voted Scotland’s Lollipop Person of the Year, at the annual Kwik-Fit Insurance awards ceremony.

Over 3,500 nominations flooded in from primary school pupils, parents and members of the community right across Scotland. But it was Moira who came out on top - collecting a prize of €500 and a specially engraved trophy in the shape of a golden lollipop.

2. LIBRARIES & INFORMATION

2.1 St Andrews Hospice Boost

The Libraries & Information Section have handed a boost to St Andrews Hospice following the presentation of a cheque for f878. The money was raised following the sale of a 2006 calendar at , Old Monkland, & Airdrie libraries.

Featuring black and white photographs of Coatbridge from the early 20th century, the calendar proved very popular with locals and St Andrews Hospice representative Sam Lavery was delighted to accept the cheque when he visited .

2.2 Quiz Success

Bellshill Cultural Centre recently hosted the final of the Annual Primary Schools Quiz - showcasing the talent of the top youngsters throughout the area.

Since the beginning of the year, primary schools from all over the authority competed for a place in the final, with heats taking place from & Condorrat Libraries in the North, to & in the South.

After an exciting competition, the team from Our Lady & St Francis () was successful. The event is always popular and again proved a success thanks to the hard work of staff.

3. MUSEUMS AND HERITAGE

3.1 Underpass Exhibition

Motherwell Heritage Centre enlisted the talents of graphic design firm, Macauley Creative, to present a unique exhibition in Motherwell Town Centre. ‘The Underpass Artworks’ was on display at the Heritage Centre, and a selection of the work has been reproduced on wall tiles as part of the refurbishment of two Motherwell underpasses.

I:\COMMITTEE\COMSERV\GENERAL\24MAY 2006\GOOD NEWS REP.DOC 3.2 Local Art on Show

A unique exhibition at Summerlee Heritage Park has opened, featuring the work of local artists. The five women met at an art class, held in St Bartholomew's Primary in Coatbridge, and under the continued guidance of their teacher, Veronica Gilday, they continued as a group called 'Artifolk' and have now been exhibiting together for three years.

4. SPORT & RECREATION

4.1 Quest Award for Sports Facilities

The John Smith Pool and Airdrie Leisure Centre have become the latest sports facilities, operated by North Lanarkshire Council's Sport & Recreation section, to obtain the prestigious Quest quality award.

Both received high scores following an intensive two-day inspection by assessors, looking at every aspect of the facilities. Staff have been working round-the-clock for over 12 months to prepare for the award which is the main industry award for sport.

5 COMMUNITY LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT

5.1 New Text Service Launched

Young Scot North Lanarkshire recently launched their brand new TXT alert service, keeping Young Scots throughout the area up to speed with the latest news and events. During March, Young Scot North Lanarkshire visited selected schools to promote the new service, and encourage Young Scot Smart Card holders to register their card and take advantage of the new service.

5.2 Success for TFI Fridav Initiative

The Community Learning & Development Section have been helping to reduce youth offending in with the launch of a unique project aimed at engaging young people.

The TFI Friday Programme (Think Fun it's Friday), launched in partnership with Reeltime Music, Police and Hitsport, has proved very popular with everyone taking part.

Young people have been able to get involved in skateboarding, guitar/drum workshops, arts & crafts and football. There is also a Dance Music Recording Workshop held in the Partnership Bus, a street Comedy and Video Programme. Over 50 young people have taken advantage of the partnership bus and the activities available at the Newarthill Community Centre .

Following on the success, it has also been noted that the number of incidents reported to the police has reduced since the programme got underway.

I:\COMMITTEE\COMSERV\CENERAL\24 MAY 2006\GOOD NEWS REP.DOC 6 CREATIVE SERVICES

6.1 Charter Mark for Venues

The hard work of staff throughout the Creative Services Section has paid off after Venues were recommended for the Charter Mark Award.

The dedicated team have been working for over a year towards the prestigious award at Motherwell Concert Hall and Theatre, Sir John Wilson Town Hall, in Airdrie, and the Bellshi1 I Cultural Centre .

Assessors were particularly complimentary about the staffs attitude to service delivery and on their approach to the Charter Mark process.

6.2 Ticket Sales go On-Line

Booking tickets for events at the Department’s visitor attractions has been made easier after the launch of the on-line ticketing system. Previously bookings could only be made in person or via the Advanced Booking Office, but the new method looks certain to improve the process.

The new What’s On brochure was re-worked to include the link to the on-line ticket sales and already traffic through the site has been increasing significantly.

6.3 Sir John Wilson Town Hall

Sir John Wilson Town Hall has reopened to the public following the completion of an exciting quarter of a million-pound development. The popular Airdrie visitor attraction had been closed since November but will opened its doors with a performance from the Airdrie & Coatbridge Amateur Operatic Society.

As part of the vast improvements, the hall has been completely re-wired, chandeliers have been replaced and the decor has been revamped to bring the facility leaping into the 21’‘ century.

7 CATERING

7.1 Coffee Shop Proving a Big Hit

Motherwell Library is proving popular with local residents following a major revamp to the coffee shop. Numbers visiting the library has greatly increased in recent weeks since the upgrade to facility, introducing Costa coffee to the town.

7.2 Success for Milk Initiative

Catering staff played their part in a successful charity venture, raising money for leading charity, NCH Scotland. Scotland’s first ever ‘Milk Moustache Day’ was held at Baird Memorial Primary School, , to support the new fundraising initiative.

Pupils donated 50 pence each towards the organisation which helps vulnerable and disadvantaged children and young people across Scotland. All proceeds from this year’s event will go to NCH Scotland’s 50thanniversary appeal, which aims to tackle the poverty of opportunity that can limit the choices available to children and young people.

I:\COMMITTEE\COMSERV\GENERAL\24 MAY 2006\GOOD NEWS REP.DOC 8 TRANSPORT

8.1 New Tractors Delivered

The Transport Section has recently taken delivery of seven MF 5455 model tractors, bringing the total number delivered to the Council to 26 in the last two years. Responsible for a mixture of urban and rural areas across a broad swathe of west central Scotland, the Council employs the fleet for grounds-care and maintenance duties.

9 COUNTRYSIDE & LANDSCAPE

9.1 First for Strathclvde Park

For the first time in the history of Strathclyde Park, an independent Rowing Regatta took place on the new eight-lane course.

The event, sponsored by Barclays Bank and Deloitte, was organised by two students from Edinburgh University and was open to all universities within the United Kingdom.

Around 300 rowers from eight universities took part and the popularity means it could become the start of an annual event.

9.2 Half Marathon

Sporting enthusiasts enjoyed another successful event with the return of the Monklands Half Marathon. The event took place on Sunday, April 30, starting at Drumpellier Country Park.

Monklands Sports Council was once again supported by the Time Capsule, Coatbridge, and the Bell Group UK, with additional sponsorship received from Lanarkshire Supercounty and Airdrie Harriers.

There was a top prize of flOO and an extensive prize list catering for all age categories. All other prizes will be distributed by post.

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