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Daily Record
4 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Cambuslang community projects awarded South Lanarkshire Council's Local Action Fund grants
Work that can now be carried out includes painting Cambuslang Park's railings along with the refurbishment of the Toll Pitch Pavillion. A number of community projects in Cambuslang West have been awarded grants from South Lanarkshire Council's Local Action Fund. The work that can now be carried out includes painting Cambuslang Park's railings along with the refurbishment of the Toll Pitch Pavillion. And the Women's Wellbeing Collective community group are to receive funding for their Community Wealth Building programme. Download the Lanarkshire Live app today The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now. Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire's recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7. The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you. Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android Funding for the investment is a result of the administration budget passed by the local authority earlier this year, with an additional £50,000 allocated to each of the 20 council wards. Councillors in each ward were asked to come up with proposals for how the new Local Action Fund should be spent, with final decisions to be taken by the executive committee. The first proposals were then unanimously agreed at a meeting of the executive committee. In the Cambuslang West Ward, councillors agreed to split the funding between several projects - the three main ones being £4000 to paint the railings at Cambuslang Park, £20,000 to refurbish the Toll Pitch Pavillion and £20,000 for the Women's Wellbeing Collective community group. The remaining £6000 of the ward's funding allocation is being considered for a community skips project, or if that is not possible then other community projects will be considered once the final costs of the painting and refurbishment projects are confirmed. Council leader Joe Fagan said: 'The Local Action Fund was agreed as part of our Building Back Budget and is designed to help each community with projects that might not cost a lot of money but can have a lasting and worthwhile impact for everyone who lives there. "Local councillors will be able to gauge from their constituents where the money could be best spent, and I am delighted that we have agreement for how the money should be spent in 13 of the 20 council wards, with the others to follow in due course. "The projects in Cambuslang West will benefit everyone in the local community."
Glasgow Times
12-07-2025
- General
- Glasgow Times
4 South Lanarkshire schools to take part in pilot for free meals
The Scottish Government's new 'Test of Change Pilot' scheme will see free school meals being offered to S1-S3 pupils at the schools if their parent or carer is in receipt of the Scottish Child Payment. The four local schools which will take part during the 2025-26 school year are: Calderglen High School Trinity High School Lesmahagow High School Larkhall Academy If your child attends one of the schools listed above, is in S1-S3 and you receive the Scottish Child Payment you should apply for the free school meal pilot scheme using the online form. If you already receive free school meals, you do not have to reapply. Council leader Joe Fagan has saluted the initiative which offers a helping hand to families in different areas. He said: 'I welcome the news that hundreds of pupils across South Lanarkshire will be able to receive this vital assistance. 'Extending free school meals to secondary school pupils in need through this pilot can help us realise that. 'As part of this scheme, we are now able to open the option of healthy and nutritious school meals to more young people each day of the new school year.'
Daily Record
04-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Local Action Fund will help install more litter bins at Calderglen Country Park
Five primary schools are also to receive money. More litter bins are to be installed at Calderglen Country Park in East Kilbride. A new pathway will also be created between Benbecula play area and local housing, five primary schools are to receive money and there will also be improvements to Lammermoor Play Park. Funding for the investment is a result of the administration budget passed by south Lanarkshire Council earlier this year, with an additional £50,000 allocated to each of the 20 council wards. Councillors in each ward were asked to come up with proposals for how the new Local Action Fund should be spent, with final decisions to be taken by the Executive Committee. The first proposals were unanimously agreed at a meeting of the Executive Committee. In the East Kilbride East council ward, £3000 will go towards six new bins at the country park, £16,000 to the new pathway, £1000 to each of the five local primary schools with the remaining £26,000 for improvements to the play park. Council Leader Joe Fagan said: 'The Local Action Fund is designed to help each community with projects that might not cost a lot of money but can have a lasting and worthwhile impact for everyone who lives there. 'Local councillors will be able to gauge from their constituents where the money could be best spent, and I am delighted that we have agreement for how the money should be spent in 13 of the 20 council wards, with the others to follow in due course. 'The projects in East Kilbride East will benefit everyone in the local community.' The elected members for East Kilbride East, Ward 10, are Councillor Gladys Miller, Councillor Kirsten Robb and Councillor Graham Scott. *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here. And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook?
Daily Record
04-07-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Free meals pilot at four South Lanarkshire high schools
Provision will be extended to eligible S1-S3 pupils throughout the new school year. Four South Lanarkshire secondary schools have been selected for a nationwide free meals pilot scheme which will see provision extended to eligible pupils in first to third year from next month. Larkhall Academy, Lesmahagow High, Calderglen High in East Kilbride and Trinity High in Rutherglen will all be included in the Scottish Government test programme in the new school year, meaning free meals will be extended to S1-S3 pupils whose families receive the Scottish Child Payment. Online applications for parents are now open, with the pilot scheme running thoughout the 2025-2026 school year at the four local schools, benefiting more than 425 pupils. South Lanarkshire was announced last month as one of eight local authorities where expansion of the Scottish Government free school meals programme would be piloted for eligible pupils in the first three years of high school. The four participating schools were announced this week, with council leader Joe Fagan saying: 'As part of this scheme, we are now able to open the option of healthy and nutritious school meals to more young people each day of the new school year. 'I welcome the news that hundreds of pupils will be able to receive this vital assistance – extending free school meals to pupils in need in our secondary schools is an ambition of our council and this pilot can help us realise that.' Parents and carers of S1-S3 pupils at Larkhall, Lesmahagow, Calderglen and Trinity who receive the Scottish Child Payment are asked to apply for free meals online at Those who already receive free school meals do not need to reapply. The test programme is an expansion of Scotland's existing free school meals programme, which is currently provided to all pupils in primaries one to five and to eligible pupils in the last two years of primary and throughout secondary. Mairi McAllan, the Clydesdale MSP and Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Housing, welcomed the inclusion of Lesmahagow High in her constituency in the 'test of change' expanded pilot phase throughout the 2025-2026 academic year. She noted: "Funded by the SNP Scottish Government, it means that S1 - S3 pupils will have access to a free, healthy meal each day as part of the trial, and that's a game changer for many families. "The pilot program will run for one year, starting in August 2025, and it will evaluate the impact of providing free school lunches to a wider group of secondary school students. 'At a time when household budgets are under real pressure, this is practical support that makes a real difference. It's also about fairness, making sure every child, no matter their background, has the same chance to thrive in school." And she added: 'Free school meals are not just about food, they're about dignity, equality and opportunity. That's what we're delivering here in Clydesdale and across Scotland under John Swinney.' The South Lanarkshire pilot was also previously praised by Gillian Mackay, the Green MSP for Central Scotland, who said: 'This will be a huge boost for young people and their families. 'No child should ever be too hungry to learn, but that is the reality for many pupils across Scotland. Free school meals make a real difference to young people's health, wellbeing and their ability to focus in the classroom.' * Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
Daily Record
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
South Lanarkshire gyms to undergo £2.74 million upgrade
Starting on July 7, the initiative will begin with Biggar Sports Centre and Strathaven Leisure Centre, with improvements scheduled to roll out across 11 additional sites throughout the year. Gyms and studios across South Lanarkshire are to be given a £2.74 million makeover. South Lanarkshire Council's Transformation Fund will see extensive refurbishment and upgrade work take place at a number of South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture (SLLC) facilities over the coming months. The project will include new flooring, painting and equipment including group cycle bikes, cardio equipment, fixed resistance equipment and accessible equipment. Council Leader Joe Fagan said: 'This investment reflects our continued commitment to supporting the health and wellbeing of our communities. 'By modernising these facilities and ensuring they are inclusive, accessible, and future-ready, we're helping more people across South Lanarkshire to lead active, healthier lives. 'These upgrades also align closely with the council's broader priorities around tackling inequality, supporting mental health, and providing high-quality local services for residents of all ages.' Starting on July 7, the initiative will begin with Biggar Sports Centre and Strathaven Leisure Centre, with improvements scheduled to roll out across 11 additional sites throughout the year. They include: John Wright Sports Centre, Carluke Leisure Centre, Eastfield Lifestyles, Lanark Lifestyles, Dollan Aqua Centre, Blantyre Leisure Centre, Coalburn Leisure Complex, Hamilton Water Palace, Blackwood and Kirkmuirhill, Willie Waddell Sports and Community Centre and Fairhill Lifestyles. Nick Lansdell, Head of Strategy and Governance at South Lanarkshire and Culture, said: 'We are thrilled to launch this significant investment in the refurbishment and upgrading of our gyms and studios. 'These improvements are a vital part of our commitment to delivering high-quality, inclusive and modern facilities. 'This programme directly supports our strategic goals of improving health and wellbeing, tackling inequality, and building a more sustainable future for our services. 'By creating spaces that are more welcoming, efficient, and fit for purpose, we are ensuring that everyone in our communities has the opportunity to live healthier, happier, and more connected lives.' *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
