Along with warm, safe homes, we all want our communities to be vibrant, green and great places to live.  Since coming to power in 2012, Labour has worked hard to make our communities great places to live and raise a family. 

LEADING on recycling across Scotland.  Stirling now recycles 54% of all waste;  that’s 12% above the Scottish average.

REDUCED carbon emissions.  Labour has ensured Stirling Council’s carbon emissions have been cut by 20% in the last five years.

REPLACED street lights with low carbon, low energy, low cost LED bulbs.

PLANTED wildflower meadows in place of grass in appropriate areas, cutting the council’s grass cutting costs and improving biodiversity and helping honeybees.

PROTECTED green belt land from exploitative developments.

WORKED with communities to ensure their voices are heard in decision making processes that affect them directly.

CHAMPIONED community food growing and gardening with projects such as Braehead Community Garden.

BUILT miles and miles of new cycle and walking paths, connecting communities in a green way.

INCREASED the levels of physical activity across the district with world class facilities at the Peak and other community facilities.

CHAMPIONED libraries and community centres in the face of cuts to council budgets.

In the next five years Labour will:

INVEST in new equipment for playparks.

REPAIR roads and paths across the district, starting with the routes that need it most.

INCREASE the amount of cycling and walking routes across the district.

IMPROVE Stirling’s already impressive recycling record.

INTRODUCE a campaign to reduce litter and dog fouling through a community grant fund that rewards communities who pick up and bin their litter.

COMMIT to working with communities to allocate more land for allotments and community gardens.

PROTECT green belt land from exploitative developments.

TARGET irresponsible dog owners who don’t clean up after their pets.

TARGET the fly tipping, graffiti and other anti-social behaviours that blight our communities.

HOLD TO ACCOUNT Police Scotland and ensure that community policing is in line with what communities, not police bosses, want to see.

ENSURE Stirling’s leisure services are kept out of the private sector with a new local charity to run things by the end of 2017.

GIVE more control of community services to community groups.

REGENERATE the communities that need it the most, echoing the success we’ve had in Raploch and Cultenhove.

USE all of the tools at our disposal to stop fracking in Stirling and use all of the influence we can bring to bear to ensure a national ban on fracking.

SUPPORT our libraries by ensuring they are 21st century community hubs with appropriate facilities.

We will COMMIT to investigating the creation of a municipal public transport company to provide public transport.  Community priorities, not commercial priorities, should determine where and when public transport operates.

To download a full copy of our manifesto, click here.

To read other sections of our manifesto online, click on the links below:

1. Introduction
2. Jobs & the Economy
3. Education & Young People
4. Housing & Utilities
5. Strengthening Communities
6. Health & Social Care

 

 

 

We all want a warm, safe, secure home.  But there are not enough of them. Scotland’s housing shortage has turned into a housing crisis under the SNP Government.  But Labour doesn’t turn away from problems; we do all that we can to fix them.  There is much still to do, but in the last five years Labour have:

CREATED 300 new council homes and 114 mid-market rental properties.

WORKED in partnership with Housing Associations to deliver the right properties in the right locations.

ENSURED all communities across the district are included in our house building strategy.

INSISTED that all new homes have been built to the highest energy performance standards, ensuring lower bills for Stirling’s families.

INSULATED existing council homes (and the private homes that need it the most) to reduce bills and alleviate fuel poverty.

INSTALLED 1500 solar panels on council homes, helping tackle fuel poverty.

SECURED the latest stage of the Raploch regeneration, with planning permission granted in 2017 for 400 new homes.

In the next five years we will:

CREATE more council homes in the next five years than we did in the last five years.

ALWAYS consider the changing needs of residents.   We’ll build the homes that are the right size and in the right place.

INVEST in our existing council housing stock to ensure they are warm, safe and secure.

ENSURE tenants are always put first and that landlords live up to their obligations.

MAINTAIN limits on the number of HMOs (Houses of Multiple Occupancy) in any one community.

INSIST that the builders we work with treat their employees ethically, pay them properly and support apprenticeship schemes.

CONTINUE our programme of insulating the homes that need it most and work tirelessly to eradicate fuel poverty.

Put PRESSURE on the Scottish Government to overhaul the planning system to put more power in the hands of our local communities, not in the hands of developers or distant government bureaucrats.

We will COMMIT to investigating the creation of a municipal energy company to provide locally produced green energy with lower costs, fixed for longer periods.

We will WORK towards a fast broadband service for ALL communities by 2021.  If practical, internet services should also be delivered municipally.

To download a full copy of our manifesto, click here.

To read other sections of our manifesto online, click on the links below:

1. Introduction
2. Jobs & the Economy
3. Education & Young People
4. Housing & Utilities
5. Strengthening Communities
6. Health & Social Care

 

 

 

 

We all want the next generation to have more opportunities than the one before.  Access to education for all is one of Stirling Labour’s four main principles and we have achieved much in the last five years in Administration, despite the great financial challenges from continued Tory / SNP austerity.  We will continue to provide opportunities for all, with a key focus on providing opportunities for our children and young people.  Since 2012, Stirling’s Labour led administration has: 

BUILT new primary schools in St Ninians and Cowie.

BUILT new nursery schools in Cowie & Cornton.

INTRODUCED 600 hours of FREE pre-school childcare across the district.  Labour ensured Stirling Council was the first in the country to achieve this.

INTRODUCED the THRIVE project, helping increase knowledge, skills and confidence for parents in our communities.

SUPPORTED Raploch’s “Big Noise” orchestra.

ENCOURAGED the sharing of innovative practices and ideas among teachers.

SUPPORTED the “Daily Mile” initiative at St Ninians Primary and watched it gain national recognition and practice.

INCREASED allowances for footwear and clothing for children who need it the most.

INCREASED the number of modern apprentice places offered at Stirling Council.

SUPPORTED young people in our care with HR coaching and support in applying for internships, apprentices and college places, through a support system delivered by Stirling Council staff.

In the next five years we will:

PROMOTE financial literacy in our schools by working in partnership with the third sector and credit unions to promote savings accounts to all secondary school pupils.

PROTECT the number of quality support staff in our schools.

DOUBLE the number of free pre-school childcare hours.

PROMOTE school breakfast clubs and our school meals service.  No child should have to start the school day hungry.  Children who eat better, learn better.  Stirling’s school meal provision is excellent and deserves recognition and protection.

WORK with childminders, nurseries, parents and carers to ensure access to free pre-school childcare is mindful of the needs of families.

INVEST in transitional support into Higher and Further Education for our school leavers.

INTRODUCE a Stirling Youth Guarantee – a guarantee of help towards a positive destination for all 16 and 17 year olds.

ESTABLISH a local skills forum, where schools, skills providers and employers can work together on training and jobs.

INVEST in our school estate, ensuring the learning environment is fit for purpose.

BUILD new schools and nurseries where needed and when funds allow.

CREATE a food waste strategy to educate young people on food waste.

BUILD on the success of the Daily Mile to innovate and support different and simple ways to keep our children moving and fit.

DEVELOP a digital strategy to ensure Stirling’s children and young people are learning the skills needed for jobs in the digital economy we will create through the City Deal and partnership with tech incubators such as Codebase.

LEARN from the success of the Big Noise and seek to make comparable opportunities available to more children in more communities.

A Labour-led Administration will POVERTY PROOF the school day, ensuring every child has the support they need to learn. We also need to tackle digital poverty, which affects young people’s ability to undertake some aspects of school work. 

To download a full copy of our manifesto, click here.

To read other sections of our manifesto online, click on the links below:

1. Introduction
2. Jobs & the Economy
3. Education & Young People
4. Housing & Utilities
5. Strengthening Communities
6. Health & Social Care

 

 

 

 

 

 

We all want a good job with fair pay and fair conditions.  Since coming to lead the Council in 2012, Stirling Labour has worked hard to bring new jobs and opportunities to Stirling.  Stirling Labour has:

SECURED a CITY DEAL and are negotiating with the UK and Scottish Governments to bring upwards of £600 million to the area for jobs and infrastructure.

WELCOMED Codebase, the UK’s largest business tech incubator, to Stirling.

FORGED a partnership with THE ROBERTSON TRUST to create an exciting third sector hub at Forthside.

MADE Stirling Council an accredited Living Wage Employer.

ENCOURAGED Stirling Council’s suppliers to pay the Living Wage.

INTRODUCED 600 hours of pre-school childcare, helping Stirling’s families to make the career decisions that are right for them.  We were the first Council in Scotland to do this.

In the next 5 years, a Labour-led Administration will ensure Stirling is a beacon for the country’s top employers as we seek to bring more and better jobs across the district.  We will:

DELIVER the multi-million pound CITY DEAL and ensure the benefits are felt across every community.

INVEST in a digital infrastructure by rolling out a gigabit internet connection across the city.

CHALLENGE the Scottish Government to introduce minimum guaranteed internet speeds across the district.

SUPPORT the introduction of Business Improvement Districts wherever there is a demand.

INVEST in the shopping precincts around the district to improve the shopping experience.

LEAD THE WAY by ensuring Stirling Council sets the standard we want all organisations to aspire to. We want Stirling to be a Living Wage Region.

PROMOTE Stirling to employers around the world and help them to locate in Stirling.

CHANNEL Stirling Council resources towards supporting the LOCAL economy.

INNOVATE in our thinking to ensure Stirling is prepared for the economic challenges ahead.

CHAMPION ethical business thinking.  From cooperatives, social enterprises and community interest companies, to third sector organisations and community led charities providing existing services in new ways.

WORK towards making Stirling the first GOOD FOOD City in Scotland, helping our farmers and food producers flourish.

• In 2012 Stirling Labour instructed Stirling Council never to privatise Council run services.  We reaffirm that commitment.
• We want Stirling to be more than a “must visit” destination;  we want Stirling to be a “must stay” destination with heritage, culture, landscape, tourism and business working hand in hand to ensure visitors stay for a minimum of two nights/three days . We commit to ensuring our cultural and economic policies will be mindful of the concept of A THREE DAY STIRLING.
• A Labour-led Administration will champion a local economy focused on DIGITAL, ETHICAL, INNOVATION, TOURISM and FOOD.

To download a full copy of our manifesto, click here.

To read other sections of our manifesto online, click on the links below:

1. Introduction
2. Jobs & the Economy
3. Education & Young People
4. Housing & Utilities
5. Strengthening Communities
6. Health & Social Care

 

 

 

You can download a PDF copy of our manifesto here.

The Labour Party always has and always will work hard for the people and the communities around Stirling District.  Our vision for Stirling is that everybody should have:

• A good job
• A warm home
• A caring community
• An excellent education

These are the four core principles that drive everything we do, underpinned by a drive and determination to see equality and opportunity for all.  Labour will always stand up for Stirling.  Labour will always deliver for Stirling.  Labour are the only party with a vision for Stirling’s future and a track record of success in the past.

This is a critical time for Stirling.  Council budgets are under constant attack from an indifferent SNP Government and an uncaring Tory Westminster Government.  By 2021, £47 million pounds will have been lost to Stirling through SNP/Tory austerity.   But we are also on the brink of a once in a generation opportunity; Labour have brokered a City Deal, bringing up to £600 million pounds for jobs and infrastructure in the coming years.

Over the last five years, Labour’s prudent financial management has helped Stirling weather the austerity storm.  We are poorer, but for now, we are in a stable financial position.  Labour have the determination to deliver for Stirling, not lose focus on referendums.

A Labour-led administration will work tirelessly to create good jobs, warm homes, caring communities and excellent education opportunities for all.

If Stirling is Alive With Scotland, then Labour is Alive With Stirling.  We have a vision for Stirling.  In this document, let’s look at how we’re going to get there together.

To download a full copy of our manifesto, click here.

To read other sections of our manifesto online, click on the links below:

1. Introduction
2. Jobs & the Economy
3. Education & Young People
4. Housing & Utilities
5. Strengthening Communities
6. Health & Social Care

 

 

Health and wellbeing is dependent on many factors: having a job, living in a good house, being able to heat your home as well as a good education all contribute to improved health and wellbeing. In the last five years, Labour has delivered:

A NEW CARE VILLAGE for Stirling, due to open in 2018.  This £35 million development will transform the way services are delivered by bringing a wide range of health, social care, training and GP services together in one location.

HELPED older people live in their own homes for as long as possible by focusing on reablement instead of long term residential care where practicable.

WORKED in partnership with other agencies to make Stirling a more dementia friendly city.

ENSURED all care staff working with Stirling Council are paid the Living Wage.

INVESTED in high quality reablement support at Beech Gardens and Allan Lodge, with more facilities planned for the Stirling Care Village.

FOCUSED on systems that allow care staff to spend the maximum time with the people in their care.

SUPPORTED unpaid carers through partnership working with Stirling Carers’ Centre, Young Carers and other third sector organisations.

In the next five years Labour will:

ENSURE people live in their own homes for as long as is possible by increasing the availability of care services.

PROTECT budgets for adaptations in homes, such as showers, ramps and stairlifts, to aid independent living.

EXPAND access to respite time and facilities for family and friend carers to safeguard their own health and wellbeing.

WORK with partner organisations to ensure that staff are paid the Living Wage and provided with proper training and conditions to ensure good quality care.

ENSURE services are available across the entire district.

INVEST in Social Care and protect services from the worst of Tory and SNP austerity cuts.

FOCUS on making progress on accessibility to buildings, and making streets and pavements suitable, for people with disabilities.

CONTINUE to improve social care services in order to reduce bed blocking and allow more people to be treated at home or in a homely setting.

COMMIT to making Stirling a Dementia Friendly City and District.

Be INCLUSIVE with older people and those with disabilities through dialogue when setting policy.

CHAMPION the rights of young people in our care by encouraging their participation in policy making and issues that directly affect them.

SUPPORT foster and kinship carers with financial assistance and access to relevant resources.

ENSURE mental health is on an equal footing as physical health in all council programmes and initiatives.

HELP people manage their own mental and physical health by promoting and resourcing community led opportunities and activities.

To download a full copy of our manifesto, click here.

To read other sections of our manifesto online, click on the links below:

1. Introduction
2. Jobs & the Economy
3. Education & Young People
4. Housing & Utilities
5. Strengthening Communities
6. Health & Social Care