Campaign to safeguard Bandeath Stray Dog Shelter continues

Campaigners striving to safeguard the facility have been spreading the word and held a public meeting in Bannockburn Miners Welfare last week.

A number of people turned out to talk about the issue and Stirling councillor Alasdair MacPherson opened the event.

Chair of Bandeath Action Committee, Sylvia Newton, said: "Bandeath can't close. It's a sanctuary for people and dogs. It's a lifeline in the community."

As previously reported in the Advertiser, the movement began in response to suggestions that lack of funding could spell the end for the facility.

A petition set-up by Clackmannan woman Kerrie Milne to 'Save Bandeath Stray Dog Shelter' has also garnered nearly 20,000 signatures of support to date.

Run by Stirling Council, it receives financial support from Clackmannanshire Council, Falkirk Council and Police Scotland, and covers the three local authority areas.

However, the three partners have given notice of their intention to withdraw from the set-up and discussions are still ongoing.

During the meeting, Ms Newton told those present about the achievements of the campaign and covered the benefits Bandeath has for well-being and mental health across communities.

Many volunteers also get a great deal from walking the dogs, as do the youngsters from St Modan's Autism Provision.

Leader of Clackmannanshire Council, councillor Bobby McGill, was in the audience last week and would like to see the issue discussed locally.

He said: "I would like to see our group ensure that a paper comes forward to the June meeting to try and resolve this issue. I would hope other councils would be doing something similar.

"We're aware that the petition is somewhere up about 23-25,000 or something, so it's a big, big petition. There's a great concern out there with our communities and it would be remiss of us not to listen to people."

Meanwhile, Labour councillor Danny Gibson, Stirling Council's environment convenor, is continuing to try and facilitate conversations between the organisations.

He said: "Stirling Council are continuing to do everything we can to secure the future of Bandeath Dog Shelter.

"On Thursday, June 2 a new political administration took office in Clackmannanshire Council and I have (on Monday 6 June) spoken directly with my new counterpart councillor Kathleen Martin who is the now the council spokesperson for environment and housing.

"The Clackmannanshire Council Labour group will be meeting on Wednesday 8 June for the first time since taking power and I know this issue will be discussed and I am hopeful that we will hear positive news following this meeting about how they intend to proceed with this matter through the formal council structures.

"On Monday, June 6 I also spoke with both Police Scotland Divisional Commander for Forth Valley Stephen McAllister and Area Commander for Stirling Lynn Ratcliff.

"I have again requested that Police Scotland reconsider the notice given to Stirling Council and commit to continuing to support provision at Bandeath and I also hope to hear positively in response from the Police.

"I would again like thank everyone who has supported the petition and those who attended the public meeting to show their support and I know this energy and enthusiasm will continue to be harnessed to support Bandeath. 

"I will keep fellow councillors, the public and the press updated as appropriate on this issue as I do believe we can reach a satisfactory resolution by all parties working together."

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: "The current arrangement with Bandeath Dog Shelter remains in place until the end of this year.

"While negotiations have so far failed to produce an alternative arrangement, discussions are ongoing to find a solution that suits all four partners."

Clackmannanshire Council have said discussions are still ongoing.