Falkirk Council Agenda - 26 June 2025, 10:00 Help

A meeting to be held at Grangemouth Community Education Unit, 69-71 Abbots Road, Grangemouth, FK3 8JB at 10:00 on 26 June 2025.

Number Item
Record of Votes View Papers
Motions and Amendments View Papers
In accordance with section 43 of the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 the Provost has directed that this meeting will be conducted in such a manner as to allow remote attendance by elected members.

The meeting will be livestreamed via the Council website at:-

https://www.falkirk.gov.uk/live
1Sederunt
2Declarations of Interest

Members should declare any financial and non-financial interests they have in any item of business at the meeting, identifying the relevant agenda item and the nature of the interest.
3Minute



Minute of Meeting of Falkirk Council held on 27 March 2025.
 View Papers
4Rolling Action Log View Papers
5Update of Carron Gymnastics Centre



Report by the Director of Place Services.
 View Papers
6Supporting the Long Term Future of the Grangemouth Industrial Cluster



Report by the Director of Place Services.
 View Papers
7NHS Forth Valley Population Health & Care Strategy



Report by the Director of the Health & Social Care Partnership.
 View Papers
8No Place in Politics: Tackling Abuse and Intimidation



Report by the Director of Transformation, Communities and Corporate Services.
 View Papers
9Voting Rights of Religious Representatives



Report by the Director of Transformation, Communities and Corporate Services.

Deputation Request

An application has been made by Declan McGavin, on behalf of the Archdiocese of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, to be received as a deputation to be heard in respect of this item of business.

In accordance with Standing Order 33, Council shall decide whether to hear the deputation.
 View Papers
10Council Membership - Update



Report by the Director of Transformation, Communities and Corporate Services.
 View Papers
11Council - Membership



Report by the Director of Transformation, Communities and Corporate Services.
 View Papers
12Delegation of Powers to Determine Urgent Issues During the Summer Recess



Report by the Director of Transformation, Communities and Corporate Services.
 View Papers
13Minute Volume and Information Bulletin
(a)Volume of Minutes - Volume 4 2024/25, and View Papers
(b)Information Bulletin - Volume 4 2024/25 View Papers
14MOTIONS SUBMITTED UNDER STANDING ORDER 29

Four motions submitted in accordance with Standing Order 29 are set out below. Motions that refer to matters within the remit of the Executive, will stand referred to the appropriate body, without discussion, unless:-

(1) special circumstances exist which, in opinion of the Provost (having consulted with the Council Leader and the Leader of the main Opposition groups) requires an exception to be made;

(2) two thirds of the members present vote in favour of the matter being discussed; or

(3) the motion raises an issue with significant impact on the Council area which the Provost, having consulted with the Leader of the Council and the Leaders of the main Opposition groups, considers suitable for debate at Council.

The following motions stand referred to the Executive unless otherwise determined by the Provost, having consulted with the Leader of the Council and the Leaders of the main Opposition groups:-
(a)House in Multiple Occupation

Council is asked to:

(1) Note that as stated in the Scottish Government Guidance, HMOs provide a vital source of accommodation, and the council should seek to ensure that an adequate supply is available to meet demand. Demand for HMOs should be met where it arises, and the Guidance requires the Council to consider HMOs when developing local housing strategies and development plans. The Guidance also notes that potential concerns associated with high concentration of HMOs can include:-

" changes in demand for services, altering the availability and nature of services provided;
" increased competition for private houses, consequential rises in house prices, and reduced availability for non-HMO residents;
" areas of high HMO concentrations can become unpopular with non-HMO residents;
" potential physical deterioration caused by lack of investment by absentee landlords;
" infrastructure and on-street parking provision;

(2) Acknowledge that some of these concerns have been raised in Grangemouth;

(3) Note that the regulation of HMOs is through a combination of planning and licensing.

(4) Agree that that Director of Place Services looks at whether there are grounds for considering if there is an over concentration of HMOs in Grangemouth (or part of it) and in any other communities in the council area and to report back to a future meeting of the Executive on the options available to the Council, including the issuing of supplementary planning guidance.

Proposed Councillor Nimmo
(b)Young Carers Action Day

(1) Council notes:

" Each year Carers Trust organises Young Carers Action Day (YCAD) to encourage organisations, communities and individuals to take action, supporting and raising awareness of young carers.
" Young Carers Action Day was Wednesday 12 March 2025 and this year's theme was 'Give Me a Break.'
" A young carer and young adult carer report produced by Carers Trust found that 52% said they are 'always' or 'usually' feel stressed because of being a young carer or young adult carer.
" Young carers must be able to access timely and restful breaks to avoid burnout from their caring role, and education professionals and employers must give them a break in life by supporting them in school and work and creating better life opportunities.

(2) Council resolves:

" To proactively promote and engage with YCAD via Carers Trust on an annual basis.
" To write to the Scottish Government to convey its support for the right to a break for young carers.
" To sign up to the UK wide Young Carers Covenant (appended), which sets out the outcomes this group wishes to see for everyone in their position, and ensure its principles are reflected in local strategies and plans.

Proposed Councillor Hannah
(c)Violence Against Women and Girls

This Council commits to urgently address the epidemic of violence against women and girls. This Council pledges to:

Work with survivors and local specialist and 'by and for' services to understand the impact of VAWG in Falkirk and develop a strategy to address this.

Ensure comprehensive education on healthy relationships is available in all schools across Falkirk.

Council will establish a clear remit for our equalities champion in order for this issue to be given the focus it requires.

Report to full Council within 6 months on the actions it has undertaken to fulfil the pledges of this motion.

Proposed Councillor Paterson
(d)The following motion is reserved to Council

Independent Member Representation

Council :

(1) Agrees to amend the terms of reference for the Financial Strategy Group to include representation from Independent members. Independent members will nominate 2 councillors to attend the FSG.

(2) Agrees that in all instances where Group Leaders (or substitutes) are invited to attend a council related meeting or event, Independent members will be asked to nominate a member to represent them.

(3) Agrees that in instances where a representative from each political group is invited to attend a council related meeting or event, Independent members will be asked to nominate a member to represent them.

(4) Agrees that in relation to points 1-3, it will be up to Independent members to reach agreement on a nomination and inform the appropriate officer of such a decision.

(5) Agrees that if no agreement is reached by Independent members on who should represent them at any meeting, council will only be asked to make a decision on Independent representation, should this be for a relevant ongoing situation, such as the FSG or a longer term working group etc. This should follow the same procedures as those for allocation of formal committee places, as laid out in Council Standing Orders.

(6) Understands that in relation to the above, as with eligibility for proportionally allocated committee places, all councillors not within the administration or a main political group (as defined under the Council's standing orders), are regarded as Independent members.

(7) Instructs officers to make the necessary changes to Council Standing Orders / FSG Terms of Reference as appropriate.

Proposed Councillor Murtagh