Press Release

Denny Town Centre Council Progress.

The residents of Denny & Dunipace are delighted to learn of Falkirk Council’s change of position with regards the
town centre regeneration project. Following the Public Meeting held in St Pat’s when a very vocal community
expressed their total displeasure at the Council’s opinion that there were no other options; no Plan B, the local
community embarked on a concerted campaign to publicly record their anger at Falkirk Council’s stance.

The campaign included 2 very succesful ‘Walks Around the Block’ when over 1,000 people took to the streets; A
1,000 signature petition, asking the Council for immediate action; A nomination as Carbuncle of the Year (the so-
called ‘Plook on a Plinth’ award); And a Facebook page currently supported by 1,656 ‘fans’. It is a tribute to the spirit
of the community that the Council have now bowed to this people pressure and come forward with an alternative
proposal.

Asked for his initial reaction to the Council’s proposal, community campaigner Brian McCabe said, “I am heartened
to witness this apparent shift in Falkirk Council’s position regarding our town centre. However, I am disappointed that
the decision to amend the proposed Henry Boot masterplan was taken behind closed doors which allowed no public
scrutiny and without the courtesy of informing the local community beforehand.”

Falkirk Council, at a Full Council meeting of 23rd June, approved a “revised transformation scheme for the town”, at
which members of the press and public were barred from attending. This lack of transparency has, in effect, forced a
revised solution onto the local community without so much as a consultation or acknowledgement of local community
wishes.

Theresa Ryan, one of the campaigners stated “I was delighted to be told that Falkirk Council administration were
putting forward a different proposal to the full council, which would hopefully see alternative funding arrangements
for the town centre regeneration. I do have concerns though that the local community are as yet unaware of these
changes.”

Campaign organisers have stated that they will be writing to the Council Leader Cllr Martin requesting an early
Public Meeting, similar to that already held at St Pat’s, to advise the Denny & Dunipace community of the detailed
changes they have made to the masterplan and seeking community agreement. Cllr Martin has gone on record to state
that he would never accept a short-term solution for the people of Denny merely to avoid community pressure.

Local Councillor John McNally said, “Whilst the movement of the Council towards an alternative solution for Denny
is to be welcomed, the option agreed at the full council meeting is the wrong option. Option 1 was for the original
Henry Boot masterplan, which incidentally the administration have long argued was the only game in town, the
original masterplan would be promoted with an investment by the Council of some ‘gap funding’. Option 2, which the
council have voted through, falls short of the needs of the Denny community and fails to recognise the future growth
of the town.”

Commenting on the fact that 3 options were discussed ‘in camera’ by the Council, Mr McCabe stated “The sheer lack
of transparency regarding this serious matter is deeply disturbing. Why are the local community not being allowed to
voice their support for either of the proposed options? Is it because the Council are afraid the people would actually
choose an alternative option? Where’s the democracy in that?”
Cllr Martin Oliver said, “We, as a council, should not be making secret decisions behind closed doors and then
advising the community of the result. This type of ‘fait accompli’ decision-making shames and embarrasses us in the
eyes of the general public.”

Communtity individuals have already approached local MSP Michael Matheson, seeking his assistance in clarifying
the question of State Aid with regards Option 1, as proposed by the administration in private session. “I am writing to
Falkirk Council to seek their understanding of an apparent problem regarding the matter of State Aid. If we, as the
Scottish Government, can do anything to assist the council in the eventual full regeneration of Denny town centre, it is
the very least that the local community expects. Denny is a district centre within the hierarchy of Falkirk Council’s
plan for the future. Let us respect that position and promote a viable and sustainable future for Denny & Dunipace
well into the 21st Century.”

- Denny & Dunipace Local Residents (25/06/2010)