29,000 parking tickets doled out
Stirling Council under fire over priorities
Former pupils and staff of Queen Victoria School in Dunblane are being asked to give evidence to the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry.
Inquiry chair Lady Smith has released a video appealing for former pupils and staff from Scottish boarding schools, including QV, to share their experiences.
It comes ahead of the Phase 6 case study, expected to begin in July, which will investigate the abuse of children in boarding schools.
The first part of the case study will focus on the background and context for boarding schools, including inspections.
The second part will focus on some specific institutions and is expected to include QV School and Morrison’s Academy in Crieff among others.
Lady Smith, said:“If you have any such information, even if you have already made a report to the police, or been involved in another investigation, that doesn’t matter, you can still speak to us.
“I know that it can be difficult and very emotional to talk about such experiences, however, we have a highly experienced witness support team and they will help and support you throughout the process. We’ll do all we can to help you feel safe and secure when you speak to us.”
The inquiry’s witness support team can be contacted by phone on 0800 0929 300, or email at talktous@childabuseinquiry. scot. Individuals can also write to the inquiry by post at SCAI, PO Box 24085, Edinburgh EH7 9EA. BSL users can contact the Inquiry through an online sign interpreter.
The video link is: https://youtu.be/ WYY_oO6Ywqw
Stirling Council has been criticised for targeting otorists with 29,000 parking tickets since 2017.
Dunblane and Bridge of Allan Councillor Alastair Majury, who revealed the figures, said the local authority should prioritise issues such dog fouling and noise control in favour of the money-spinner.
According to the council statistics, the total number of tickets issued could have earned up to £858,600 for council coffers at the £30 reduced early payment fine rate or as much as £1.74m if drivers coughed up a full £60 charge.
The information shows Stirling city centre has been the focus of much of the enforcement activity, with Murray Place emerging as the top hotspot.
The majority of the penalty notices were handed out in just four locations, with Upper Craigs, Barnton Street and Forthside Way car park also ranking in the top four most ticketed locations.
Outside Stirling, the top location for enforcement action is Bridge of Allan’s Henderson Street, where 260 tickets were issued.
The total is less than 10 per cent of those issued in Murray Place alone, where 2896 drivers were ticketed.
Councillor Majury said: “I have previously raised concerns about the focus on parking tickets rather than other enforcement activities.
“However, even within the parking category the data shows that the priorities are all wrong. I’m sure most people would rather that our officers prioritised issuing tickets for people who are parking on double yellow lines, parking in disabled bays without a blue badge, over people who don’t have coins for our outdated pay and display machines.”
Councillor Jim Thomson, chair of the environment and housing committee hit back: “Enforcement officers carry out a range of activities on behalf of the residents of Stirling Council.
“Parking enforcement is only part of their duties and has been most welcomed by the public, who have seen a huge difference in parking behaviour.
“Let’s be clear, if you park legally, then there is no problem. If you believe you have been unfairly treated, there is an appeals process.”
He swiped: “Councillor Majury needs to focus his attention on the wider problems facing our citizens and I look forward to the day he supports the ending of sanctions his party is inflicting on the poorest in society through Universal Credit.”
Since parking in the area was decriminalised allowing council enforcement in May 2017, the majority of penalty charges issued have been for failing to display a ticket.
A total of 5238 fines were handed out over the failure, while 4617 were issued for failing to display a valid permit, with 1740 fines for having no pay and display sticker.
Just 223 notices were given to drivers who used disabled bays without a valid badge.
Drivers have been hit with a total of 28,620 tickets in the council area between May 2017 and December 31 last year.
We told in November how almost 3,000 parking notices had been handed out by the Stirling authority in less than three months.
Tory councillor Alistair Berrill revealed they ticketed 2,980 drivers between July and September last year.