255 December 2015 - Gryffe Advertizer

250th Anniversary
www.advertizer.co.uk december 2015
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of the Founding of the Kilbarchan General Society
Saturday 14th November saw Renfrewshire Council hosting a Drinks
Reception at Johnstone Town hall for the Kilbarchan General Society prior
to the Societies 250th Anniversary Dinner.
Provost Anne Hall was the guest of honour; the Reverend Ian Millar and
Councillors A and A Doig joined
current Preses (President)
Andrew Connell and Vice-
Preses Norman Kerr and there
wives at the top table.
photo: Norman Kerr presenting
the special bottle to Ian Mac
photo: Anne Hall and Preses Andrew Connell
Many former Preses, members and guest
of the society were in attendance and stood
for a minutes silence in remembrance of the
victims of the Paris Massacre before dinner.
As part of the 250th anniversary celebrations
a specially blended bottle of whisky had been
commissioned and was raffled. Mr Ian Mac of
Salford won the prestigious bottle.
The evening was a great success and
a considerable sum was raised for local
projects.
Action on Hearing Loss: Last month I was visited by the
charity Action on Hearing Loss Scotland, who shared their
top tips with my staff and I to help us become more aware of
the individual communications needs of constituents who are
deaf or have hearing loss. One in six people in Renfrewshire
have some kind of hearing loss – including more than half
of people aged over 60. The key thing I learned is that deaf
awareness is about good communication and taking the time
to consider whether you can do or say something differently
to make it easier for someone who is deaf or hard of hearing
to take part in conversations. I had great fun learning some basic BSL and
fingerspelling, which we’ll need to keep practising to welcome visitors from
the Deaf community. The hearing loop in my office was also tested to ensure
it is working, and I want all constituents who have a hearing aid to know my
office is equipped and able to help.
Carers Allowance: Carers make a huge contribution to our society, however,
the support they receive in carers’ allowance is the lowest of all working age
benefits - this is simply unacceptable. I was therefore delighted last week
when Nicola Sturgeon announced that once the Scottish Government has
the power to do so, the SNP will begin to increase the allowance to bring it
to the same level as jobseekers’ allowance. This will be welcome news for
carers’ across Renfrewshire, who for too long have been given an unfair deal
by Westminster.
Underground Coal Gasification: The Scottish Government have always
ensured a cautious, considered, evidence-based approach to unconventional
oil and gas. I therefore welcome the announcement last month that a
moratorium has been placed on offshore underground coal gasification
in Scotland. I have been contacted by dozens of constituents regarding
this issue, and I know that the considered approach being taken by the
Government will be welcomed by them and also by communities across
Renfrewshire and Inverclyde.
Finally, as this is the last edition of 2015 may I wish everyone a very Happy
Christmas and best wishes for 2016 when it arrives.
Financial Blog
by Carl Melvin,
Affluent Financial Planning Ltd
Bank Failure Protection
Limit set to fall
If a UK Bank goes bust, savers with cash are protected up to £85,000
under European Law. However, this will to fall to £75,000 on December
31st 2015, the Bank of England’s Prudential Regulation Authority has
confirmed.
The level of protection offered to savers is set by a European directive
at €100,000 and is recalculated every five years. Due to the strength of
Sterling against the Euro, the sterling equivalent of €100,000 for British
savers is now £75,000.
Following the banking crisis in 2008, the risk of a bank going bust is very
low. However, what measures can you take to ensure your savings are
working hard for you while remaining protected? You could consider the
following;
• Don’t keep all you savings with one bank if you have more than
£75,000. Consider using different providers to hold your cash to
keep your money protected.
• Interest rate - check the interest rate on your savings. If you currently
receive less than 1% annual interest, you may get a better deal
elsewhere. You can compare best buy accounts online.
• Access - check how easily you can get your cash. If you don’t need
instant access, you may get a better interest rate if you are prepared
to give notice.
• Service is important – a good rate is welcome but not if you have to
spend ages in call centre telephone queues.
We have had low interest on cash savings for nearly ten years, so it is
worthwhile checking your interest rate frequently, as rates change over
time. When new accounts are launched, the high rates offered to new
savers are subsidised by the low rates paid on old savings accounts.
Call for a FREE financial review on 0871 702 9490 or pop into the
Affluent office opposite Amaretto restaurant on Main Street, Bridge of
Weir. www.affluentfp.co.uk