THE sale of Falkirk Council's Corbiehall flats to ING Real Estates UK was sanctioned this week. (by Allan Scott)

Councillors were poised to rubber-stamp the ambitious scheme last month but officials had still to tie up the deal when the agenda deadline passed.

This week, despite a Labour bid to halt the sale, the council agreed to sell the 58 properties in the B-listed "coffin blocks" and Queen Mary Building to ING for £175,000.

The cash will be "ring fenced" to help pay for future harbour regeneration works.

The properties, 191-199 Corbiehall and 43-51 Corbiehall, have proved virtually unlettable.
In recent months Falkirk Council has been re-homing tenants with the intention of selling off the properties.

Vital first stage of regeneration

Refurbishment and resale of the flats is seen as a vital first stage of the town centre regeneration project.

It is hoped the revamp will give the a welcoming, fresh new look to the town's western approach.

Not everyone believes it's as good news as it's being made out.
(See full article from Bo'ness Journal here).

Erin Toland, from St Mungo’s High School, and Blair Davidson from Bo’ness Academy, both received a pleasant surprise last week.

Make it in Scotland roadshow

They had recently attended the Make it in Scotland roadshow in Grangemouth with the rest of their year groups and those of 17 other schools from the Forth Valley area.

The roadshow gave pupils the opportunity to take part in hands on activities run by employers from the manufacturing industries.

Erin and Blair were at an activity run by local company, Carron Phoenix Ltd and entered a competition with them to design a sink.

Erin’s design was chosen out of 300 plus entries as the judges were impressed with the way she used an interesting combination of existing sink designs.

Blair’s design caught the judge’s eye for his addition of an edge design and raised taps.
Kenny Ritchie, Shift Manager from Carron Phoenix visited both schools last week to present certificates and £30 in vouchers for each of the pupils.

Roadshow offers realistic approach to manufacturing

Kenny and his colleagues enjoyed participating in the roadshow, “the Make it in Scotland roadshow offers a very realistic approach to manufacturing, and more importantly, the world ahead for today’s young adult.

I believe it’s the hands on experience that gives them that lasting impression that we all strive to have or to offer others.

It is these impressions that will help guide the pupils on the various roads ahead and their career choices”

Make it in Scotland is an annual event organised by Careers Scotland

The involvement of local and national manufacturing companies is vital to give the pupils of Forth Valley a valuable insight into the sector that forms an essential part of Scotland’s economy.