Leadhills plan for comment
Monday 30 June 2008
We'd like your views on a management plan for the Leadhills conservation area.
You can make comments on the Leadhills conservation area appraisal and management plan until Friday 1 August 2008 (this link will open in a new window).
If you'd like to talk to us about it or make any comments in person, there is an open day in the Village Hall on Tuesday 15 July 2008 from 10:30am to 3:30pm
Contact
Conservation area officers
Phone 01698 455939
Email Conservation area officers
Public Services Ombudsman
Monday 23 June 2008
The Public Services Ombudsman has recently issued two reports concerning South Lanarkshire Council.
A complaint raised on behalf of a constituent about issues relating to a mistake made by the Council in allocating a place for her eldest child at a primary school which was outwith the catchement area, in particular that the Council unfairly withdrew the complainant's son's right to free transport on his transfer to secondary school. The complaint was upheld and the SPSO has recommended actions to address the issues. For more information please read the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman report (this link will open in a new window).
The other complaint was in respect of concerns regarding the handling of a planning application. Only one of the four elements of the complaint was upheld in that the terms of a letter issued to the complainant's client were inaccurate. The SPSO has recommended that the Council apologises to Mr C for issuing an inaccurate and misleading letter. For more information please read the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman report (this link will open in a new window).
If you have any concerns or would like to comment on any South Lanarkshire service, you'll find information on our Comments, complaints and customer services page.
Contact
Phone
Email
Housing news online
Monday 16 June 2008
The spring/summer edition of Housing News is now available online.
Housing news - Spring/Summer 2008 (4MB PDF) (this document will open in a new window) is a council publication sent to tenants throughout the year with this edition covering housing regeneration in Rutherglen, the review of the allocations and repairs policies; feedback from recent surveys and a special two-page spread on plans for the year ahead.
We hope you find it interesting and informative and we look forward to bringing you the next edition later in the year.
Contact
Michelle Wilkie
Phone 01698 454092
Email Michelle Wilkie
HandsOnScotland website celebrates first birthday
Friday 6 June 2008
The HandsOnScotland website is one year old today and has attracted more than 20,000 visitors to the site.
Commissioned by the Scottish Government through Heads up Scotland and developed by Playfield Institute (NHS Fife) in partnership with Barnardo's and the University of Dundee, the site was set up to help frontline workers, including teachers, nurses, social workers, and foster carers, improve the mental health of children and young people.
For more information please go to the HandsOnScotland website (this link will open in a new window).
Contact
Phone
Email
Public Services Ombudsman
Tuesday 29 April 2008
The Public Services Ombudsman has recently issued two reports concerning South Lanarkshire Council.
A complaint regarding a number of concerns about the way in which the council administered an assessment for Council Tax Benefit. The two specific heads of complaint were upheld and the SPSO has recommended that the council write to apologise for the delay and that steps be taken to reinforce to staff the importance of ensuring that formal complaints are considered in line with the council's complaints procedure. For more information please read the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman report (this link will open in a new window).
Another complaint was over a number of concerns about the council's handling of enquiries regarding an outline planning application for construction of a house on land adjacent to the complainant's home. Also that the council had failed to correctly process a planning application by a neighbour to the complainant's detriment. Two elements were not upheld and two elements were partially upheld. The SPSO recommendation was that the council apologise for failing to deal with the enquiry in line with guidance and for failing to adeqautely address all issues raised in the complaints. For more information please read the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman report (this link will open in a new window).
If you have any concerns or would like to comment on any South Lanarkshire service, you'll find information on our Comments, complaints and customer services page.
Contact
Phone
Email
Could you be a Special Constable?
Tuesday 6 May 2008
Strathclyde Police special constables work alongside our regular officers - on the beat and in the community.
If you can give us an average of four hours a week, we will give you knowledge, training and £1000 a year loyalty payment. What you get out of being a special constable is up to you but it could include new experiences, meeting new people and gaining new skills.
For an application pack contact Heather Bennett or Jacqui Lundie on the number below. More information is also available on the Starthclyde Police website (this link will open in a new window).
Contact
Phone 01355 566352
Email
Claim benefits the quick way
Wednesday 30 April 2008
Claiming benefits can be a long and complicated process so a new fast track service has been launched to make it easier and quicker to claim Housing and Council Tax benefit.
To make sure you are claiming all the benefits you are entitled to simply come into any Q and A office with proof of identity and your income and savings and we'll complete the application form with you and work out how much benefit you are entitled to and give you a letter confirming this within 20 minutes in most cases. You can either wait in the Q and A or come back later to find out the result. This service is available from 8.45am - 4pm Monday to Friday except on Wednesdays when the service is only available from 11am - 4pm.
And if you want to check the amount of rent or council tax you have to pay, we'll explain that too. For more information please go to the Benefits and money advice page.
Contact
Sandra Cuthbertson
Phone 01698 453423
Email Sandra Cuthbertson
View current liquor licensing applications
Thursday 10 April 2008
Lists of current liquor licensing applications for each of South Lanarkshire's four licensing divisions are now available online.
The link to the current liquor licensing applications is on the Betting, gaming and liquor licensing page where there are also links to information and advice on other aspects of liquor licensing.
The lists are updated every week.
Contact
Tracy Troy
Phone 01698 454023
Email Tracy Troy
Complaints survey results
Wednesday 9 April 2008
A survey to find out what members of the public think about making a complaint at the council's network of Q and A one stop shops has revealed that the offices continue to be an easy access point.
The results showed that:
- 100% of customers found the complaints process easy/very easy to use
- 60% of customers were advised of timescales relating to their complaint with 50% of customers saying they felt the timescales were acceptable, and 25% not being sure
- 45% of customers had the process of making a complaint explained to them, 20% weren?t sure and 35% did not have the process explained to them
- 100% of customers felt they were treated fairly and sensitively in relation to their complaint
- 40% of customers would consider making a complaint by telephone rather than using Q and A but only 20% would use the internet/email. Most people preferred to speak to someone face to face
Using this information the council will now improve on the service it offers and will try to ensure all customers who raise complaints are told how the process works and give clear timescales to expect a response. For more information on the survey or to get a copy of the report please contact the Customer Services Centre.
Contact
Customer Services Centre
Phone 08457 406080
Email Customer Services Centre
Public Services Ombudsman
Tuesday 11 March 2008
The Public Services Ombudsman has recently issued a report concerning South Lanarkshire Council.
A complaint that the council is not using the correct school boundaries when establishing school placements and free school transport was upheld. The Ombudsman had made recommendations to address the issues raised. For more information please read the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman report(this link will open in a new window)
If you have any concerns or would like to comment on any South Lanarkshire service, you'll find information on our Comments,complaints and customer services page.
Contact
Customer Service Centre
Phone 0845 7406080
Email Customer Service Centre