273 June 2017 - Gryffe Advertizer

@GryffeAds www.advertizer.co.uk june 2017
35
bishopton, langbank & bridge of weir
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as
one of your newly elected councillors for Ward 11, Bishopton,
Bridge of Weir and Langbank and thank everyone who voted
and placed their trust in me. I hope to continue the good work
of my predecessor Maria Brown, who was a fantastic councillor
for the area for the last fi ve years.
I am proud to represent the area in which I live and grew up
and am looking forward to the next fi ve years ahead, using my
local knowledge to get what is best for our ward. Improving
local services and standing up for our villages are my key
priorities for the term ahead.
We are happy that at the fi rst full council meeting of the year
the SNP councillors formed a minority administration and we are ready to get to
work improving services across the whole of Renfrewshire.
During the council election campaign I am sure that many of you will have
received literature from other council candidates making the top priority to stop
a second Referendum on Scottish Independence if elected. I would like to be
clear, Renfrewshire Council holds no authority to call for a referendum on Scottish
Independence. Local issues will be my focus over the next 5 years and that is my
promise to you, the people of Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank.
In my fi rst week as councillor I attended Langbank Community Council and
listened to the issues that have been of most concern to local residents. I am
looking forward to attending as many local group meetings as possible while I am
your councillor. As a former member of the Bridge of Weir Community Council I
know how important it is to listen to local groups concerns and I understand the
need for these groups to have strong representation.
I have also had many issues brought to my attention by constituents in the weeks
since I was elected. I am actively working on these just now and will have more
to report back on my progress, in next months issue.
I promised if I was elected I would be an accessible councillor and I hope to
deliver on this promise with regular surgeries and being available to listen to
constituents. I am awaiting confi rmation of my surgery times and locations at the
moment and should have them in place for next months edition. In the meantime
you can contact me at cllr.natalie.don@renfrewshire.gov.uk Tel: 03003001426
bishopton, langbank & bridge of weir
The Bridge
Father’s Day: Have you remembered FATHER’S DAY which is celebrated on
Sunday 18th June? Purchase a card from our selection to let your Dad know how
much he is appreciated.
Graduation Success - send your congratulations in a card from our display.
Artists: Following on from last month, local artist, Rab Wilson, will exhibit until
Saturday 10th June. On Monday 12th June we welcome Bishopton Art Group
whose paintings will be exhibited until Saturday 15th July.
For all your purchases of stationery, greeting cards, pocket money toys and small
gift items please support The Bridge where our volunteers work hard to meet
your needs.
Post Office - last year Clydesdale Bank closed in Bridge of Weir.
Johnstone branch closes this month. Please remember the Post
Offi ce is able to provide personal banking services for most banks.
With the holiday season approaching - travel insurance, ordering of foreign
currency and the safe, easy to use Travel Money Card can all be arranged through
the Post Offi ce.
Film Club - the new programme for fortnightly showings is available. Please ask
our volunteers for a copy.
Garden - The Allotments and Garden Society have been busy tending to the
garden. Please view their gardening skills at the back of The Bridge.
As always, we thank you for your support - The Bridge is your Post Offi ce, Shop
and Community Centre in the centre of the village.
bishopton, langbank & bridge of weir
Bridge of Weir Community Council
The Community Council recently met with a senior planning offi cer from
Renfrewshire Council to discuss the Main Issues Report (MIR) which assist’s in
forming Renfrewshire Council’s Local Development Plan. Resulting from this, the
Community Council responded to the consultation arguing for retaining the policy
that any development should be concentrated on brown fi eld sites and not on
green-belt which would adversely affect the place setting of the village.
Points were put forward from local residents who had attended the May meeting
with regard to education with emphasis on school capacity, local GP services
and the cumulative effect large housing developments would have on the road
infrastructure in Bridge of Weir and surrounding villages.
Finally, the apparent lack of any coherent policy in the MIR for West Renfrewshire
villages was highlighted. Bridge of Weir has a rich heritage of cultural assets, the
River Gryffe, the cotton industry, history of leather, farming, Ranfurly and Gryffe
Castles. These and other assets are well worth preserving for the enjoyment of
future generations and should not / cannot be left to the whims of developers
who have no compulsion on tearing up our green-belt in search of profi t.
At the meeting in May the guest speaker was Graeme McLatchie from the
Paisley 2021 bid team who gave a presentation and update on the progress
and timetable for shortlisting and fi nal selection. He also gave us an insight on
funding opportunities that may be available for us to pursue.
We welcomed our new Community Police Offi cer Stephen Reid, this was his fi rst
Community Council meeting as he has only been in position since 4th April. In
the Police Report he informed us of a number of incidents which include one
drugs issue, detected, sheep worrying on Torr Road and vandalism to fl ower beds
at Bridge of Weir Primary School.
We are currently engaged in the Scottish Governments Improving Parking
consultation, locally we will address lack of car parking in the village centre, cars
parking on pavements blocking pedestrian access, cars parked at bus stops,
cars on the school run blocking driveways and in general parking too close to
junctions.
The fund raising sub-committee are still working on the Ladeside project where
the initial costs proved to be exceptionally high, members of the committee are
to meet offi cials from Renfrewshire Council to discuss professional and technical
support.
After the success of last year we have decided to hold the Craft Fair again. The
date for your diary is Saturday 16th September.
Congratulations to the three Councillors elected to the Bridge of Weir, Bishopton
and Langbank Ward 11, Natalie Don, James MacLaren and Colin McCulloch, we
look forward to working alongside.
The next meeting of the Community Council will be held on Tuesday 6th June at
7pm in Bridge of Weir Primary School.
bishopton, langbank & bridge of weir
Singing for Wellbeing
A fun, no-pressure choir singing feelgood
songs every Tuesday from 6pm
- 7.15pm and Fridays at 2pm - 3.15pm
in the Bishopton Community Centre.
bishopton, langbank & bridge of weir
Philosophy
Discussion Group
Would you be interested in discussing
with others The meaning of Life,
Why are we here, what does God say
about it all? Local Group. Contact:
avril.forbes2015@outlook.com or Tel:
07463 570464.
bishopton, langbank & bridge of weir