At this week’s full meeting of Stirling Council, a Labour Group motion put forward by Labour councillors Johanna Boyd and Corrie McChord calling for a raise in the minimum wage paid to council employees was passed unanimously.  The minimum wage will rise from £8.33 per hour to £8.50 per hour and will be backdated to 16th November 2016.

This means pay packets will rise by more than the Living Wage Foundation’s latest recommendations.  Every year the LWF sets an hourly rate which is the figure they’ve worked out people need to live.  Last month (November 2016), the LWF set the figure for the next year at £8.45 per hour, significantly more than the national minimum wage which is £5.55 per hour for over 18s, £6.95 an hour for over 21s and £7.20 an hour for over 25s.

Labour’s Leader of Stirling Council Johanna Boyd says,

“It was a Labour priority in 2012 when we came into administration to deliver a living wage and I’m delighted that since then we’ve been a trailblazer for such an important and socially responsible issue.  In the face of some of the most brutal cuts brought about by the SNP Government strangling council funding, we’ve consistently found a way to stay true to Labour values and acknowledge the pressures on individual and family budgets.”

Corrie McChord says,

“This motion not only continues to address low pay, it also addresses equal pay because most of the beneficiaries of any increase are women.  Last month the Tory Chancellor set the National Living Wage at £7.20, but anybody on that rate will tell you it simply isn’t enough.  It is great that with some political will and determination, we have set a higher standard for both public and private sector organisations to aim for and that is good for the economy and our communities.  

 Stirling Council became a Living Wage Accredited employer in 2015 and encourages all local employers to adopt fair work practices.  The Labour-led administration has ensured a Stirling minimum wage higher than the Scottish Living Wage every year since 2012.

 

The Stirling Constituency Labour Party (CLP) have today unveiled the candidates who will stand in the 2017 Local Authority Elections in the Bannockburn, Bridge of Allan & Dunblane, and Stirling West wards.

Bannockburn

In Bannockburn, current councillors Margaret Brisley and Violet Weir will be standing for re-election.

Violet is a former NHS nurse and lives with husband Alistair in Bannockburn.  She was first elected to Stirling Council in a by-election in 2009.  Violet is currently the Portfolio Leader for Housing on Stirling Council.  Violet is a former nurse who worked at Stirling Royal Infirmary for 24 years and then in community nursing for 12 years.  Her husband was a miner at Polmaise Colliery and was on strike for a year in 1984-85.

Margaret was first elected as a councillor for Bannockburn in 1980, the community where she has lived all of her life.  A former teacher, Margaret has been a councillor in the current Bannockburn ward since 2007.

Bridge of Allan & Dunblane

Members in Bridge of Allan & Dunblane have chosen Mike Robbins to be their candidate.  Mike has lived in Dunblane for nearly thirty years with his wife Jayne. They have two grown up children.  Mike is currently Provost of Stirling Council.

 

 

Stirling West

In Stirling West Christine Simpson, who has represented this ward since 2012, will be standing for re-election. Christine has held the challenging portfolio for Social Care and Health, overseeing the process of the integration of Health Services in Forth Valley with Stirling Council’s social work services and the development of the Stirling Care Village.

Christine says,

I believe that my long career in public service in Stirling has given me the experience and understanding of the problems faced by many of my constituents and I am committed to representing their interests to the best of my ability. I would welcome the opportunity to continue to contribute to the wellbeing of the people of the Stirling West communities.

The Stirling Constituency Labour Party (CLP) have today unveiled the four local members who will stand in the 2017 Local Authority Elections in the Stirling East and Stirling North wards.  Chris Kane and Jennifer Preston will join existing councillors Corrie McChord and Danny Gibson on the campaign trail.

Stirling East

In Stirling East, Corrie McChord and Chris Kane will take a Labour message out onto the doorsteps of Braehead, Broomridge, Hillpark and Whins of Milton.

Corrie McChord is a veteran of local politics who in 2016 marked thirty years as a local councillor, having first been elected to the then Stirling District Council in 1986.  Corrie, was born in Stirling and currently lives in Hillpark and has represented Stirling East since 2007.

Chris Kane is the Chairman of Braehead Community Council and Braehead & Broomridge Community Development Trust. A local businessman, Chris lives in Braehead with his wife and their two young children.  Chris says,

“As a community activist I’ve been working hard in recent years to create tools and resources to help me a difference in my neighbourhood.  I’ve set up the Braehead & Broomridge Community Development Trust and we’re currently asking “what’s next” after the remarkable success of our first project, the Braehead Community Garden.  I have a track recorded of delivering for my community and I know I can do more as a local councillor.” 

Stirling North

In Stirling North, Danny Gibson and Jennifer Preston will be flying the Labour flag in the all-new 4 member ward which comprises Blairlogie, Cambuskenneth, Causewayhead, City Centre, Cornton, Forthside, Raploch, Riverside and the University campus.  Danny currently represents Stirling East on Stirling Council where he also serves as Environment Convenor. He lives in Riverside with his wife and young son. Danny said:

“As a local resident myself I am looking forward to engaging and working with all the distinct communities within this new ward to keep improving our local area.”

Jennifer Preston is a new face to local politics.  Jennifer lives in St Ninians with her partner Lawrence and is an Area Sales Manager for a manufacturing company.  Jennifer says,

“I’m standing as a councillor because I want to use my experience in business to make Stirling an even better place to live and work. Housing is a particular passion of mine: I believe everyone deserves a decent roof over their head and I’ll work hard to build on what the current Labour administration have already delivered. I believe effective local government can make a huge difference to people’s lives and I’ll make it my priority to get things done for the people of Stirling.”

The Stirling Constituency Labour Party (CLP) have today unveiled the candidates who will stand in the 2017 Local Authority Elections in the Forth & Endrick and Trossachs & Teith wards.   Richard Simpson and Gerry McGarvey will be taking a Labour message out onto the doorsteps of West Stirlingshire

Forth & Endrick

In Forth & Endrick, local members have chosen Dr Richard Simpson to be their candidate.  Richard served for thirteen years as a Member of the Scottish Parliament;  as a Justice Minister in the first parliament and over the last nine years a shadow Public Health Minister. Richard is a former GP and a current Honorary Professor at Stirling University in the Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport.  He’s a former Chairman of Strathcarron Hospice and a current trustee on the Guardians of Scotland Trust.

Richard says,

I’m delighted to have been selected to stand in the Forth & Endrick Ward and I know that my experience both as a GP and as an MSP will be invaluable in helping both patients and constituents.  We need a focused approach to tackling health inequalities and fuel poverty and realise that our local communities have unique concerns over issues including broadband and public transport.  I’m looking forward to being a strong voice for the many diverse and proud communities here in West Stirlingshire. 

Trossachs & Teith

In Trossachs & Teith, local members have chosen Gerry McGarvey to be their candidate.   Gerry lives in the ward, in Gartmore, with his wife and is an active member of both his local Community Council and Community Development Trust.  A passionate voice for his community, Gerry has campaigned on many local issues including this pharmacy legislation which has severely impacted on access to doctor’s surgeries throughout the ward.

Gerry says,

“I’m delighted to be standing in the ward where my wife was born and I’ve lived for the last decade.  I passionately believe in helping those who struggle to be heard and that’s why I’ve been campaigning heavily in recent years on legislation around pharmacy provision which has had a severely damaging impact on local GP surgeries.  I’m also proud to be a part of my local community council and community development trust and know I can do more to help my neighbours and friends as a Stirling Councillor.”