255 December 2015 - Gryffe Advertizer

44 the advertizer t: 01505 613340 e: info@advertizer.co.uk
houston, crosslee
& brookfield
Houston Community Council
A new community council was elected in Houston in September and we held our
first meeting on Wednesday 21 October.
We now have 17 community councillors dedicated to listen to the views of Houston
and pass them on to Renfrewshire Council and other public bodies. We are also
fully committed to acting in the best interests of all the residents of Houston. The
other new community councillors are Carol Murray, (vice chair,) Marion McEvoy
(secretary,) John Chambers (treasurer,) Sharon Chambers, Caroline Wengel,
Mark Arthur, Helen Parker, Gordon Wright, Bob Finnie, Sandra Brown, Janet
Mason, Kathy McFall, David Dunlop, Anne Findlay, Elizabeth Dalgetty and Andrew
Calverley.
Our inaugural meeting was held on 21 October and was well attended by Houston
residents who expressed their concerns regarding the Local Government
Boundaries Commission Scotland (LGBCS) proposal to split Houston old village
and Crosslee into one electoral ward along with Bishopton and Langbank and
Craigends into a different electoral ward with Linwood. A motion was passed that
John McEvoy would work with Mr Angus Matheson and Dr Robert Simpson to
prepare a submission to the LGBCS on behalf of the Community Council. This
submission would reflect the expressed views of the residents of Houston.
A further public meeting was held in the Carrick Centre on Friday 30 October
attended by 226 Houston residents, at which the unanimous view was we should
reject the proposal from the Boundaries Commission to split up the village in
this way. Many residents submitted their own objections to the LGBCS and John
McEvoy submitted a response on behalf of the Community Council that reflected
the views of those who attended these two meetings. This could not have been
done without the enormous hard work done by Mr Angus Matheson and Dr Robert
Simpson, who both worked tirelessly on this submission.
Police Report - The Police Report was given by Sgt. Coils. There were 8 reported
crimes during the period, of which 2 were detected. He warned us to be aware of
people going round doors in white vans selling their wares. Also that 2 community
police officers had now been given responsibility for Houston, Bridge of Weir and
Lochwinnoch. In answer to a question, he encouraged us to report any speeding
or parking issues and the police would do their best to respond.
The issue of speeding in Houston village centre and in Magnus Road was also
brought up, but because we did not have enough time to give this important
issue the attention that it deserved we agreed to postpone discussion until the
next meeting.
All Houston residents are invited to find out more about their community by joining
our Houston Community Council Facebook public page. Please get involved.
All Community
Council meetings
are held in public.
The next meeting
will be held
in the Carrick
Centre, Main
Street, Houston
at 7.30pm on
Wednesday 16th
December. This
meeting will be
devoted to routine
c o m m u n i t y
council business.
Houston & Killellan Kirk at Xmas
Kirk Creations are making fresh 12” holly wreaths ready for delivery or pick-up
on Friday 11 December from West Halls. They are priced at £16 each and if you
would like to order one please fill in Order Slip at rear of the kirk or telephone
Liz Campbell 01505 612569.
Scottish Country Dancing Group Christmas Ceilidh will be held in the West Kirk
Hall, Main Street on Wednesday 16 December starting at 7pm.Members not
already on the Christmas Ceilidh list and wishing to come
along and join in the Festive spirit please let me know.
Marilyn (01505 61308).
Sweet Treats Christmas is coming! Chocolate truffles,
tablet and shortbread – great for an after-dinner treat,
for a Christmas gift or just to indulge yourself! Use the
order form in church on Sundays 29 November or 6
and 13 December, for collection on 20 December
– or phone 01505 690636 to order.
Shortbread-7 biscuits or 14 Petit fours £2.50,
Truffles-8 for £2, Tablet-8 pieces £1.50. Go on – you
know you want some! All proceeds to the New Hall fund.
The Guild are having an evening of Christmas Celebrations and Fun on Tuesday
8th December in the West Halls at 7-30pm .
.....................................................
Boundary Change Proposals - I need to say a few words
of thanks and congratulations to the Houston Community
Council and their supporters who organised the excellent
public meeting regarding the proposed local council ward
boundary changes.
Many residents contacted me raising concerns and
requesting information regarding the proposals from the
Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland. This
is the body responsible for consulting, setting and reviewing
boundaries for local council ward boundaries.
As many readers will know, proposals relating to Houston
involve a Linwood and Craigends ward and a Houston,
Bishopton and Langbank ward. This ignores the fact that Craigends is very much
part of Houston. It is the boundary commission which is the statutory body
responsible for conducting a public consultation on this. But due to the limited
information circulated and the level of confusion I wrote to all households in
Craigends to ensure residents were aware of the proposal and to explain how
to submit views. Alongside many local residents I have formally objected and
due to the sterling efforts of members of the local community it was clear from
the public meeting that the community is against this. I hope the boundary
commission see sense.
Litter - I recently held talks with the Head Teacher of Gryffe High School and
some fantastic senior pupils to discuss how we can reduce the litter which is
generated around Houston. The pupils have a number of excellent ideas which
I will support them in taking forward.
Crosslee Park Access Upgrades
Following the fantastic work of the Houston Playpark Improvement Group, I am
pleased that work will be commencing in the next few weeks to install a path
and other access improvements as a result of council funding. With the wet
weather affecting ground conditions I am sure this will be welcomed by local
residents who have made such great use of the park following its upgrade.
To keep up to date with my work for Houston, please feel free to ‘like’ my
Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CouncillorStuartClark. I will also hold
surgeries at the Tweedie Hall in Linwood on Thursday 15 December at 7pm
and the Carrick Centre in Houston on 16 December at 6.30pm.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a very
Happy Christmas and a peaceful and enjoyable New Year.