Local News

Martin Docherty-Hughes, MP for West Dunbartonshire, is to launch a bid to secure a debate in the House of Commons on the impact of ‘whisky black’ – a fungus believed to blacken the exterior of properties located in close proximity to whisky bonds. It follows concerns raised to the MP by residents across Clydebank, Dumbarton and the Vale of Leven about property exteriors – including homes, garden furniture and vehicles – being affected by the black fungus material. Man, 25, rushed to hospital after stabbing in Dumbarton In a survey of West Dunbartonshire residents conducted by Martin Docherty-Hughes MP, a majority (85 percent) of respondents said that their property had been affected by the fungus, which is notoriously difficult to clean off. Dumbarton man admits embezzling £7600 from church Hundreds of local households responded to the survey, with residents citing various concerns about ‘whisky black’ including potential damage to … [Read more...] about Whisky black scourge in Dumbarton and the Vale could be debated in Commons

Council house rent is set to increase by two percent. The move was agreed at a full West Dunbartonshire Council meeting. Elected members unanimously backed increasing rent by an average of £1.56 on a 52-week basis. Man, 25, rushed to hospital after stabbing in Dumbarton The local authority say the hike is needed to help support the council’s housing programme, which includes building new homes. Rent will also be increased by two percent at the council’s travellers site at Dennystoun Forge. The council surveyed tenants and presented three different options for rent increases. Two percent was the lowest amount proposed which received the most support. Dumbarton man admits embezzling £7600 from church A report which went to the council stated that West Dunbartonshire’s average weekly rent of £76.82 was the third highest of Scotland’s 29 housing authorities. It read: “The key driver for determining rents for council properties is the housing … [Read more...] about Council house rent in West Dunbartonshire to rise by two percent

A Bellshill man was caught with almost 32,000 indecent images of children. Andrew Brailsford (30) was placed on the sex offenders’ register at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Friday. He admitted downloading indecent images at his former home in Dalriada Crescent, Motherwell, and his current address in McLean Drive, Bellshill, between December 2017 and May last year. Paula Russell, prosecuting, said police carried out an early morning raid at the McLean Drive address on June 18 last year. It followed information received from the national online child abuse prevention organisation. Officers seized items including a laptop computer and a mobile phone. In total, there were 31,406 indecent photos of children as well as 404 video clips and 127 cartoon images. The material featured boys and girls in the age range three to 15. Sheriff Shiona Waldron called for background reports and a risk assessment to be carried out on Brailsford. She deferred sentence until March 26 and Brailsford had his … [Read more...] about Pervert caught with nearly 32,000 indecent images of children

A West Lothian singer who had her hopes dashed on ITV talent show The Voice at the weekend said the experience had made her “believe in herself.” Amy Hawthorn, from Livingston, appeared on Saturday night during the first round of ‘blind auditions’ where hopefuls sing their heart out to entice judges to turn their seats around and give them a chance. Amy performed a rousing rendition of ‘Best of My Love’ by The Emotions but it wasn’t to be her night as neither Sir Tom Jones, Will.i.am, Olly Murs or Jennifer Hudson turned round for her. Read more: Before the show Amy said the audition was “life-changing”, adding: “To get someone who believes in you to turn around and want to work with you, it would just mean the absolute world.” Sadly the popular singer left disappointed - but says the whole experience had been incredible and had taught her so much about showbusiness. She told the Courier: “I had been approached by … [Read more...] about West Lothian singer Amy Hawthorn appeared on ITV show The Voice

Nottinghamshire will be left without a fire service control room to handle emergency calls in a new merger with its counterpart in Derbyshire. A new joint fire control is to be set up this year and would see staff working in a purpose-built centre in a bid to save vital funds. Staff currently based in Nottingham would have to commute to Derby – and in the event of any technical issues affecting Derby, staff from there would have to temporarily transfer to Leicestershire fire’s control room to handle emergency calls. The joint control scheme is one of the flagship money-savers in Derbyshire fire service’s budget, approved at a meeting on Thursday, February 14. It is understood to be too early to say if the move will result in job losses. In the meeting, Derbyshire fire approved a 1.98 per cent rise in its council tax precept – opting to go against officer advice of a 2.98 per cent hike. The rise will see Band D homeowners paying £1.48 extra a year – … [Read more...] about Derbyshire to merge fire control room with Nottinghamshire