Grangemouth is at an important point in its history. As industries evolve and new opportunities emerge, Grangemouth has an opportunity to attract new investment, improve infrastructure and create jobs.
A range of studies and plans have explored how Grangemouth can build on its industrial strengths while supporting Scotland's transition to a more sustainable economy. These have helped establish a shared ambition for the future. We’re working with partners to turn that ambition into a practical plan for how the area could develop on the ground.
Scottish Enterprise is developing a new framework for the Grangemouth area that will help shape future investment and development decisions.
The work will bring together information on land, infrastructure, development opportunities and future industry requirements to create a clearer picture of how Grangemouth could evolve over the coming decades. Rather than looking at projects in isolation, it will consider how different opportunities can work together to support economic growth, investment and long-term prosperity.
Importantly, the framework will identify what is needed to unlock future development. This includes understanding infrastructure requirements such as energy, transport and utilities, identifying suitable locations for different types of activity, and highlighting opportunities that could attract new businesses and investment to the area.
The project will also help create a stronger evidence base for future decisions by public, third and private sector partners. By developing a shared understanding of priorities and opportunities, it can help support coordinated investment and make it easier to bring forward projects that deliver benefits for both industry and local communities.
Engagement will be a key part of the process. Local stakeholders, community representatives, businesses, landowners and public bodies all have valuable perspectives on the future of the area. Their knowledge and experiences will help inform the work and ensure that future proposals reflect both local priorities and wider economic opportunities. This includes considering how future development can align with local priorities and support the long-term regeneration of the area.
Grangemouth is already home to nationally significant industries and plays a critical role in Scotland's economy. With major changes taking place across manufacturing, energy and industrial sectors, there is a unique opportunity to think strategically about how the area develops in the years ahead.
By creating a practical framework for future growth, this work will help provide greater clarity for investors, developers, communities and public sector partners. Ultimately, the aim is not simply to produce another strategy, but to create a shared roadmap that helps turn existing ambitions into deliverable projects, targeted investment and positive outcomes for the people and businesses of Grangemouth and the surrounding areas.
The Falkirk Council area has a population of around 160,000 people, it is estimated that around 23,500 of these people are unpaid carers (Falkirk HSCP, 2023). Clearly understanding the needs of local people who undertake a caring role must be a significant consideration in effectively engaging with and working in partnership with communities. People undertaking unpaid caring roles are uniquely impacted by the themes of the Falkirk Plan, the ‘State of Caring: The cost of caring in Scotland 2025’ report published by Carers UK in November 2025 highlights some key challenges faced by carers in Scotland:
Likewise people undertaking caring roles experience some unique barriers to participation and engagement. Falkirk & Clackmannanshire Carers Centre deliver a Carer Participation Development function for carers in the Falkirk area, providing a robust support mechanism to ensure that carers voices can be heard in the context of local planning and decision making. They provide support to Carers Representatives so they can fulfil their role on Falkirk’s Integration Joint Board in addition to wider engagement through monthly Carers Voice meetings where Partner representatives often attend to receive valuable views and feedback on the lived experience of carers in the Falkirk area.
Sharlene Ramage, Carers Participation Development Worker, shared how their bespoke participation development support helps build individual’s capacity to participate:
“Some carers find it particularly difficult to get involved in local consultation or engagement exercises because of their unpaid caring commitments which can take up a huge amount of their time and energy. We support individuals to improve their understanding of how local decisions are made and the mechanisms for them to engage and influence, as well as facilitating opportunities for partners to hear directly from local carers to remove some of the barriers. We already have a Carers Voice meeting planned which will provide an early opportunity for carers to discuss the development of the new Falkirk Carers Strategy with representatives from Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership. We encourage all carers to be aware of and learn more about their rights so they can increase their confidence in advocating for their needs and the needs of the person they care for. Many people are surprised to hear just how many local people have unpaid caring responsibilities, it is a significant number of local people and it is crucial they have the opportunity to shape how services across the Falkirk area operate.”
Falkirk & Clackmannanshire Carers Centre have a wealth of expertise in engaging with carers, they shared some key points to consider when designing any consultant or engagement exercise to help ensure that local carers have the chance to participate:
Falkirk & Clackmannanshire Carers Centre encourage all local people who have unpaid caring responsibilities to learn more about the challenges that Falkirk Community Planning Partnership are tackling and to have their voice heard on the things that matter most to them.
To find out more about the support available for Falkirk carers please contact Falkirk & Clackmannanshire Carers Centre by phone on 01324 611510 or by email: centre@centralcarers.co.uk
To find out more about opportunities to participate in Falkirk Community Planning Partnership activities please get in touch by email: communityplanning@falkirk.gov.uk
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have a long-standing partnership with the Falkirk Foundation to contribute to the excellent work that they undertake supporting local communities to improve the lives of those they engage with through physical activity and education. The programmes are delivered from Falkirk FC Stadium; the proximity of Falkirk Fire Station has allowed for the development of a close working relationship however the partnership with both the course facilitators and attendees.
SFRS have worked in support of a number of initiatives including –
Off the Bench - a programme aimed at young adults aged 16-24 looking for a fresh start to build a positive path in life. The majority of the 12-week programme revolves around coaching, leadership, physical activity and employability, SFRS support their learning and the development of confidence with sessions on Home Fire Safety, Road Safety and emergency first aid/CPR. These important safety inputs are designed to equip young people with essential knowledge and understanding which will assist them in their daily lives.
Centre Forward - a programme designed specifically for young people aged 16-24 who have additional support needs who wish to become more active whilst learning and developing their confidence. Participants have the opportunity to visit Falkirk Fire Station to meet the crew and get involved in practical drill sessions relative to the role of a Firefighter.
Schools Programme - aimed at young people of school age to build confidence and encourage physical activity. Practical drill sessions at Falkirk Fire Station provide experience of the workplace promoting teamwork, communication and dexterity.
Benefits of Partnership - the collaboration between SFRS and Falkirk Foundation contributes to community wellbeing, builds positive relationships with young people in our communities and provides essential safety messaging. The work contributes to the Falkirk Plan themes of Working in Partnership with Communities and Mental Health and Wellbeing. By providing productive workplace experience, access to positive role models and breaking down barriers between services and communities SFRS are able to support community wellbeing and community safety.
Young people are excellent educators of peers and family, by providing young people with positive learning experiences and equipping them with essential life skills they are able to relay important safety messaging to support the wider family and contribute to their communities.
The provision of a constructive experience of the workplace instils confidence and encourages young people to take positive steps towards employability. Employability is vital to communities acting as a key driver for reducing poverty and supporting economic growth.
The Falkirk Foundation provide a number of excellent opportunities for community members of all ages to get involved with including the Bairns Blether group for over 60s and the Falkirk Blind Club. More information is available through Falkirk Foundation – Our Community, Our Future www.falkirkfoundation.org
To find out more about the work of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service or to find out if you are eligible for a Home Fire Safey Visit to receive important fire safety advice please visit www.firescotland.gov.uk
Police Scotland and Falkirk Delivers (Falkirk Town Centre’s Business Improvement District) have built a strong partnership that continues to deliver meaningful, measurable improvements in local safety and wellbeing. This work directly contributes to the aims of the Local Policing Plan and the Falkirk Plan, particularly around stronger communities, safer streets, and improved wellbeing across the district. Over the past two years, the partnership has tackled key issues including acquisitive crime, anti-social behaviour, and substance misuse, through joint problem-solving and community-first approaches.
Close collaboration between Police Scotland and Falkirk Delivers has helped streamline communication, speed up investigations, and empower businesses with practical safety tools. One example is the ShopSafe Radio Scheme, which now links officers and local premises in real-time across the town centre, improving response times and live intelligence sharing. Police Scotland officers, in particular PC Graham Pairman, also benefit from access to office space in the BID’s premises, used for regular multi-agency briefings and community safety discussions.
Falkirk Delivers also funds Retailers Against Crime (RAC) membership and presentations for local businesses, covering key topics such as lone working, loss prevention, cybercrime, and safeguarding. These sessions have driven increased reporting and better awareness across the business community, supporting national focus on reducing theft shoplifting and improving detection rates. Police Scotland school-based officers have also delivered RAC presentations to pupils to raise awareness, educate and positively influence our young people.
Support for the night-time economy has included funding of taxi marshals in partnership with Falkirk Council, development of a town-centre busking management system, and the roll-out of Naloxone training, which has led to multiple successful life-saving interventions. Police Scotland and Falkirk Delivers also host shared community events such as Emergency Services Day, which brings together thousands of residents, and work with schools to promote safety and mental health awareness.
Community Impact
In particular, PC Graham Pairman maintains near-daily contact with the Falkirk Delivers team, helping build trust, improve processes, and reduce investigation times. The partnership has resulted in lower levels of anti-social behaviour and stronger local networks that improve both perception and experience of safety in Falkirk town centre.
Crucially, many of these initiatives have been made possible through support from the UKSF (UK Shared Prosperity Fund), delivered locally through Falkirk Council, enabling Falkirk Delivers to provide frontline services, crime prevention tools, and community outreach projects with direct benefits for the local population.
Get Involved
Falkirk Delivers continues to welcome collaboration with residents, community partners and businesses. Whether you're interested in volunteering, supporting events, or learning more about safety initiatives, there are plenty of ways to get involved.
Contact Information
🌐 www.falkirkdelivers.com
📧 forthvalleycommunitypolicefalkirk@scotland.police.uk
🌐 www.scotland.police.uk
Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn, Leader of Falkirk Council said:
“As a partnership, we felt it was important to speak clearly and collectively at this point. The statement reflects a shared position across public services, community organisations and partners about the kind of Falkirk we want to be.
“We know that recent events and wider national debate can create uncertainty and concern for some people. When that happens, it is important that organisations work together to be clear about what we stand for, what behaviour is not acceptable, and how we support people who may feel targeted or excluded.
“This statement is about setting a clear and consistent baseline. It reinforces that racism, discrimination and hate have no place in our communities, and that everyone who lives, works or studies in the Falkirk area should feel safe and respected.
“By agreeing this position together, partners are also committing to act consistently, to challenge prejudice where it exists, and to keep working with communities to build understanding and cohesion over the long term.”
The Falkirk Community Planning Partnership (CPP) is a local partnership that brings together communities, public agencies, the third sector and the private sector, to work together to improve the lives of people in the Falkirk area. Falkirk Community Planning Partnership - Bringing Together Communities
In response to ongoing events in the Falkirk area the Community Planning Partnership feel it is appropriate to issue the following statement:
Joint Statement from Falkirk Community Planning Partnership
The Falkirk CPP is committed to making the Falkirk area a place where everyone feels safe, respected and included.
Our Shared Belief
We believe in fairness, equality and tolerance for everyone who lives, works, studies in or visits the Falkirk area.
Our Shared Message
Racism, prejudice, discrimination and acts of hatred are not acceptable in the Falkirk area.
We stand in solidarity with anyone who experiences discrimination or hate crime.
Our Shared Support
We will support people and communities that face discrimination for any reason, including race, ethnicity, nationality, religion or belief, or gender.
We will tackle racism and prejudice where it exists in our communities.
Our Shared Commitment
We are committed to tackling discrimination, harassment and victimisation while removing barriers to equal opportunity.
We are committed to encouraging understanding, respect and positive relationships in our communities.
Our Shared Vision
We work towards a fairer, more inclusive Falkirk.
We believe standing against intolerance, racism and discrimination is everyone’s responsibility.
We want everyone in the Falkirk area to work together to build stronger, kinder and more cohesive communities.
As a partnership we will continue to work towards a fairer, more inclusive Falkirk - now and for future generations, where strong, connected communities are better able to respond together to shared challenges.
Scottish Careers Week, held from 10–14 November 2025, is a nationwide initiative led by Skills Development Scotland (SDS) under the theme “Shape the Future.” The campaign aims to inspire individuals of all ages to explore career opportunities, understand emerging sectors, and connect with employers and educators. It is part of a broader effort to build a future-ready workforce and promote lifelong learning across Scotland. Activities during the week include career fairs, employer engagement sessions, and interactive workshops designed to help the people of Falkirk make informed career choices and develop essential skills for the evolving job market.
This year, numerous partners from the Falkirk CPP made a significant contribution to the delivery and engagement of impactful Careers Week activities. These partnerships included DYW, FVC, NHS, Falkirk council and many more. Some highlights of the week were:
The breadth of activities during Careers Week demonstrates Falkirk CPP’s commitment to supporting young people and adults in shaping their futures. By linking education with employment and promoting sectors critical to the local economy, these initiatives strengthen the region’s workforce pipeline. Career
Week contributes to strengthening local employment pathways, promoting social inclusion and equality, building community resilience as well as inspiring lifelong learning and future skills
My World of Work | Careers Week
Our Centres - Skills Development Scotland
forth-valley-regional-skills-action-plan.pdf
This week marks Challenge Poverty Week, a national campaign that shines a light on the injustice of poverty and the power of collective action to tackle it.
In Falkirk, tackling poverty is central to our local priorities. It’s embedded in the Falkirk Plan and driven by our ‘Building a Fairer Falkirk 2024–2029’ strategy. The strategy focuses on creating the conditions that help people boost their income and reduce essential living costs, preventing and mitigating the impact of poverty.
Our Community Planning Partnership Board recently approved an update report on the strategy, highlighting the progress made over the past year and the difference it’s making. Key achievements include:
While there’s much to be proud of, the report also recognises that there’s more to do. It sets out how we’ll build on the strong foundations laid through this groundbreaking partnership work and continue to make Falkirk a fairer place for everyone.
You can read more in our Strategic Update Report. If you want to find out how you can play a part, contact us at fairerfalkirk@falkirk.gov.uk.
The Authentic Voices Group (AVG) is at the heart of Falkirk Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP) and is made up of people with real-life experience of substance use. These members help guide what the ADP does and how it works.
The ADP brings together the Council, NHS Forth Valley, Police Scotland, third sector organisations, and people with lived experience, all working together to reduce the harm caused by alcohol and drugs in Falkirk. Its main jobs are to organise services, plan strategies, and support recovery and wellbeing in the community.
AVG adds to this by giving people and families affected by substance use a place to share their views and make sure their voices are heard when decisions are made. Since it started, AVG has become an important partner, helping shape policies both locally and nationally. Members get involved in Falkirk ADP’s projects, such as reducing alcohol-related harm, making it easier to get treatment, and making sure support is sensitive to people’s experiences of trauma. They also contribute to work with Healthcare Improvement Scotland and Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership.
The Group makes sure planning isn’t done in a bubble. Members work alongside professionals to design services, check policies, and spot the everyday challenges people face. So, choices aren’t just based on statistics or research, but also on real stories of what actually helps—or doesn’t—when people look for support.
AVG’s input has helped services see things from the community’s point of view. Their feedback has affected how information is shared, helped tackle stigma, and made services kinder and more responsive. By raising issues like making services easier to access, improving communication, and supporting peer networks, AVG makes sure Falkirk’s services suit the people who use them.
This is partnership in action—real voices being heard and making a difference in local decision-making. It also shows a commitment to reducing inequalities and improving life for people affected by alcohol and drugs.
AVG is always happy to welcome new members. If you have your own experience, or are a family member of someone affected, and want to help improve local services, we’d love to hear from you. Your voice can really make a difference.
If you want to find out more or join, just email: FalkirkADP@falkirk.gov.uk
Camelon residents sprang into action this week at an event to mark the official launch of the Camelon Community Action Plan (CAP) – a community-led blueprint for the area’s future.
Held at the Forth Valley Sensory Centre on Tuesday 20 May, the ‘Spring into Action’ event attracted more than 40 people, who came to explore the new plan and find out how they could help bring it to life.
Falkirk Council Leader, Cllr Cecil Meiklejohn said: “This is a fantastic example of how communities can lead the way in shaping local priorities. The Camelon Community Action Plan is rooted in what people have told us matters most to them, and events like this bring those ambitions into focus.”
Developed in partnership with local people and based on feedback from previous engagement sessions and consultations, the action plan sets out key priorities for Camelon:
Click here to read the Camelon CAP
The launch event brought people together to discuss the plan, meet with local groups, and share ideas over tea and biscuits.
There was also a plenty for the children to enjoy, with free face painting, seed planting, and even a visit from the local fire brigade.
Everyone who came along took home seed packets – a simple way to support local growing and a reminder that the ideas and actions in the plan need time, care and community effort to grow too.
What is a Community Action Plan?
Community Action Plans empower communities by allowing them to identify their priorities and address issues important to them.
This approach is community-focused and led, fostering collaboration between local communities and Community Planning Partners.
A CAP aims to establish an aspirational vision for a community along with a set of actionable steps.
Click here for more information on local CAPs
A representative from the Camelon Community Action Plan will take part in the Lock 16 Centre of Excellence Doors Open Day on Saturday 20th September, from 11:00am to 4:00pm.
Improving employment outcomes for local neurodivergent young people is a key aim for Falkirk Council’s Employment and Training Unit (ETU). For the past seven years, ETU has been working in partnership with NHS Forth Valley, Forth Valley College and Serco to deliver David Forbes-Nixon (DFN) Project SEARCH. During that time 53 young people have been supported to complete the nine-month internship, with around 85% achieving sustainable employment at the end of this. For our 2023-24 graduates, we have achieved 100% into jobs and we are well on our way to similar outcomes for our 2024-25 cohort.
DFN Project SEARCH is a fidelity model linking classroom-based training with hands-on work experience. Importantly interns are supported by a full-time job coach as well as in-work ‘buddies’ who ensure our young people are provided with lots of instruction and practical help. It’s this combination that helps to level the playing field for young people with additional support needs, setting them up for future success.
Another of the key success factors is the partnership model. Each plays their own part in the delivery of roles across Forth Valley Royal Hospital. NHS Forth Valley provides the delivery site and work placements, with buddies and most work placements sourced and supported by Serco. Forth Valley College is the education partner providing lecturing and job coach staff with daily classroom-based learning. Falkirk Council’s Employment and Training Unit is the licence holder, providing funding from various sources including Scottish Governments ‘No One Left Behind’ local allocation, determined by the Local Employability Partnership while also delivering wrap around employability support, including dedicated staff working with interns to secure job outcomes at the end of each delivery year.
Over the course of each delivery year, DFN Project SEARCH interns gain invaluable work experience in three different work areas across the hospital campus. Importantly, these are all fully supported by the job coach and their buddies.
Here’s what some of our interns have said about their experience:
“Serco staff treat us as colleagues and are very helpful.”
“I expected to work with the best people, and they have improved on my expectations.”
“The environment we are working in is safe and we have great support from SERCO staff.”
Sarah McCulley, Senior Service Manager, Falkirk Council Learning and Employability explains: “Closing the disability employment gap is a long-standing aim for Falkirk Council’s Employment and Training Unit, and our award winning DFN Project SEARCH programme offers a tried and tested model that allows us to work in partnership to deliver great results for young people in the council area. We have 10 new interns just starting their journey at Forth Valley Royal Hospital, bringing the total number supported to 63 and we intend to continue to build on this.”
For more information about DFN Project SEARCH, or other employability support, contact the Learning and Employability ETU team on 01324 504408, or email etu@falkirk.gov.uk. Alternatively, follow this link to Forth Valley College website - Course Details | Forth Valley College.
