309 SEPTEMBER 2020 - Gryffe Advertizer

BRIDGE OF WEIR
Cllr James W.H. MacLaren
It is so good to see the strength of communities and people
coming together over the last few months and that must
continue as we loosen the restrictions on day to day life.
Hopefully those that deserve recognition for helping others
through the lockdown will receive it in some form or other.
While the council has managed to continue with refuse and recycling
collection through the lockdown, it is now becoming extremely frustrating
to me and some local residents who find that their bins are continually
missed. Council was supposed to have introduced a digital system in the
lorry cabs last Christmas that was going to resolve such problems but it is
now becoming scandalous just how often the same bins get missed.
For the majority of us, collection of the bin rubbish was not an issue but
the closure of the amenity sites has seen a lot more litter and fly tipping in
the countryside. I would like to thank each and every one of you who has
joined me in picking up litter and continue to do so. I still have a number of
litter pickers that I am giving away to people who would like to assist with
this, and I can also provide the necessary green bags, should you wish to
leave them for collection at the side of the road.
It’s been a long wait but slowly the council is getting the grass cut.
Thanks must be expressed to those of you, like myself, who got hold of
strimmers and lawn mowers and went out and cut the communal areas
around their neighbourhood. It was wonderful to see this local spirit in
the circumstances. Alas, the council is planning on leaving some areas to
grow wild. They have tried this before and the areas just became a mess.
I will be doing my best to ensure that if wild flowers are to flourish that the
necessary maintenance takes place.
The lockdown has meant that construction work in the Dargavel area has
set things back for the new primary and nursery schools. If this concerns
you then please drop me a line and I can update you on when this work
should be complete. Refurbishment of the Bishopton PS has also been a
casualty and the work is now carried forward to 2021-22.
On the issue of roads, speeding in the villages has been a big problem. The
Chief Inspector Jim Cast of Police Scotland is now on the case so beware. It
is worrying to see the number of blocked gullies across the council. Hardly
surprising that we have flooding issues when it rains. With the council only
owning one gully slurper, the problem isn’t going away soon.
Please note my new surgery details: I am available for face to face meetings
but am also available by phone. For the moment my surgeries will be by
telephone only. My mobile number is 07534 148794.
If you have problems getting through on the main council switchboard
then you can try contacting me by phone on 0300-300-1291 or by email to
cllr.james.maclaren@renfrewshire.gov.uk . I am happy to receive messages
via Facebook but I do prefer an email. In any case, it can take me a while
to see Facebook messages. No community council reports at present but
hopefully C Councils will be meeting up before too long. More on www.
facebook.com/councillormaclaren
local community, local life ............... 20
KILMACOLM
Cllr David Wilson
I am pleased to be back after an extended 4
month visit to Australia. Video conferencing
has been my new norm, working practice will
be different now for many. Many popular
and long running village events have had
to be cancelled. Unfortunately this applies to the bonfire
and fireworks. Health and insurance advice has been taken
and until there is a vaccine it would be irresponsible to have
several thousand villagers closely packed even in a field.
Could all the invaluable team please stand down, hopefully
for just one year.
There has been much planning activity. The Court of
Session has supported an appeal by Gladman with regard to
the reporters handling of the Carsemeadow development.
A new reporter has been appointed by the Scottish
Government. The Council will again oppose.
The appeal by Gladman regarding our decision to refuse
North Dennistoun has been refused. And we hear of no
further appeal to the Court of Session. St Columba’s
Church hall has been assessed under Covid 19 regulations,
to determine its suitability for the public hearing on the
Plannetreeyetts housing application.
The appeal to the Court of Session by Mactaggart and Mickel
and others, against the reporters handling of our Local
Development Plan was successful in the Housing section.
The salmon ladder on the Gryffe is doing its job of making
available some 10km of spawning tributaries. The ospreys
have fledged one youngster but there is much concern
regarding the effect of eight 100 metre turbines of the
Greenock Windfarm currently being constructed. Another
example of local democracy being overturned on appeal by
the Scottish Government.
McGills Buses have changed the terminus of the 530 from
the Retail Park to Port Glasgow bus station. Bus occupancy
is 80% down due to Covid 19 and bus services throughout
the West of Scotland have been curtailed. I have appealed
the 530 decision.
Speeding is a problem in the village, not just on the main
routes, but on what should be quiet residential roads. It is
the role of the Police to enforce speed limits but they are
proving to be unsatisfactory in conducting this duty. I have
asked for a detailed study and report from roads officers.
Schools, thankfully are back as I write and also the final
engineer’s clearance of the sports pitches at Birkmyre. No
surgeries. I can be contacted at david.wilson@inverclyde.
gov.uk 01475 712975, 741969 and 07766 992294.