|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Safety Leaflet
If having worked at something for a long time makes its realisation all the more special, then the SAPC Leaflet should give us all a great deal of satisfaction. The Beatles’ “Long and Winding Road” springs immediately to mind as I think back to the beginning of the journey over three years ago. The newly-elected President, Cllr Jim Shaw, saw this as an ideal way of enhancing the standing of the SAPC and putting its name firmly on the map and, at various levels in the SAPC, members began to plan the layout and content of the leaflet. In its early stages, it was envisaged that the leaflet would have a promotional function, informing people about the Council and its work, and giving them contact information for the SAPC. As it progressed, however, it became obvious that the project also afforded an opportunity to put across some simple yet useful tips and advice for people to help keep them safe in the home, road, water, and leisure environments. |
|
Each of the Committees was asked to draft the information they wanted to include, and a company was engaged to design the leaflet. Much of the work was done fairly early in the process, and with a gradual tidying up, the leaflet was prepared for production and shelved until such times as funding could be identified.
|
|
|
Among the many avenues explored were the Community Fund and the New Opportunities Fund, but it was not encouraging. In 2002, the Cllr Shaw approached CoSLA (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities) seeking support for the initiative, and the response was overwhelming from senior management and the President. The determination of Cllr Shaw, and the support from CoSLA and CACFOA (Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers' Association) was sufficient to persuade the Scottish Executive to fund the leaflet, and it had to take shape very quickly.
Each of the partners set about trying to make it happen and final adjustments to the content and layout were made. The initial concept was that the Council Tax Notices would be an ideal delivery vehicle for the leaflet and, therefore, it had to be as light as possible. Eventually, after many laborious hours, the Council identified a printer who could produce the leaflet weighing just over 7 grams at a cost of about 1.5 pence each, and we were in business.
|
|
|
CoSLA contacted all local authorities to seek their assistance in delivering the leaflets, and 2.5 million of them started to roll off the press in time for those authorities who were sending them out with their Council Tax Notices.
Having organised the production, next on the agenda was the pursuit of local authorities to identify how they were being distributed and a delivery address. This was achieved with most but, as a back-up, the President arranged storage facilities within his own authority at East Renfrewshire.
Rab Coke, Muhammad Shoaib, Hugh Henry, Brian Topping & Jim Shaw
While this was going on, arrangements were also being made for a formal launch, and this was eventually held on 28 February at the Child Safety Centre, Pollok, in Glasgow. The Minister with Responsibility for Community Safety, Hugh Henry MSP, spoke at the event, as did representatives from CACFOA, Glasgow City Council, and the SAPC. The event received major coverage in the press and media, and even featured on GMTV on the morning of the launch.
Bill Smith - Chair Road Safety Committee, Bob Calvert - Chair Water & Leisure Safety Committee, Jim Shaw - President & Brian Topping - Chair Home Safety Committee
It is appropriate that all those whose efforts brought this project to fruition are recognised, and the Council would like to express its gratitude to all those who played a part in brining about one of the greatest achievements in the history of the SAPC.
Hugh Henry, MSP, launches the leaflet outside the Child Safety Centre
Read the SAPC “Safety Leaflet”
You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access this file Adobe Acrobat.
