310 OCTOBER 2020 - Gryffe Advertizer

ward 9
Cllr Andy Doig
At the last meeting of the Communities, Housing,
and Planning Board I was delighted to speak up for a
recommendation to award the Friends of Howwood
Park £10,000 for the Friends to do a feasibility study on taking over
the currently unused Howwood Pavilion. I have been in the Pavilion
for a tour and the possibilities are endless to add yet another string
to the bow of Gillian Whyte and the Friends Group. Their work has
rightly earned the gratitude of the whole village community.
I have been involved with supporting the parents and families of
Howwood to fight against the retrograde decision of Renfrewshire
Council to remove the School Crossing Patrollers from the Bowfield
Road crossing to the Primary School. This is one of the most
challenging school walking routes in Renfrewshire, and there are
signs the Council may be doing the right thing and reinstating
them, I sincerely hope so.
The Greenspaces and Village Investment Fund has really taken off.
Kilbarchan Community Council have been awarded £50,000 to
upgrade Kilbarchan Public Park. Following a lengthy consultation
there are excellent plans to create new features, and I have been
approached by some individuals who are interested in doing an
asset transfer of the Park Pavilion to put it back into use for the
whole community.
Not to be outdone, Lochwinnoch Parent Council have been making
sterling efforts to brighten up the environment of Lochwinnoch
Primary School. I have asked the Convener of Education to deliver
funding to upgrade the playground surface, and this is very likely.
Contact Details for Cllr Andy Doig –
Councillors are not at the moment having face to face surgeries due
to the Covid 19 restrictions. But please e mail me on cllr.andy.doig@
renfrewshire.gov.uk, call me on 07534 148224, facebook me on
Independent Voice/Ward9JohnstoneAndVillages, or tweet me on
CllrAndy4Ward8, if you have a civic matter you wish to raise with me.
Kilbarchan Parish Church
We are back ! Our Church buildings have reopened for worship.
We are confident that we have put in place all necessary measures
to ensure that Government and Public Health guidance is observed
so that folk may return to worship. While our capacity may be
restricted, and the format of our service will be different from how
it was before Covid19, you are still guaranteed a warm welcome
each Sunday at 11am
We look forward to seeing you in church. If you cannot manage to
be with us in person, why not join us for our Online Reflections or
our telephone Service -
http://www.kilbarchan-kirk.btck.co.uk or 01505 805893.
local community, local life ............... 34
Cllr Derek Bibby
Covid - 19 and the recent new restrictions across
Renfrewshire continue to concentrate our minds.
As I write this month’s column a total of 10 schools
in Renfrewshire have seen positive tests. It is clear
that we live in rapidly changing times, which will
result in other measures being taken, and the council
has a crucial role in keeping schools open, reassuring parents and
children, while supporting the local economy and keeping us all
safe.
Despite the latest Scottish Government funding package of
£675,000 for the provision of safety cameras on 20 roads in
Scotland, Kilbarchan, Howwood and Lochwinnoch have once again
been ignored.
The situation in Kilbarchan which is being used as a rat run for drivers
travelling to Bridge of Weir and beyond is particularly concerning,
and speeding has become the norm. This has to change. I have
called on the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland, to
increase the funding and treat Kilbarchan as a priority for a speed
camera, together with a review of the overall policy and criteria for
the provision of such cameras, that takes into account the needs of
Renfrewshire’s villages.
The recent decision by Renfrewshire Council to dissolve the Clyde
Muirsheil Park Joint Committee is troubling. The committee and
its consultative forum made up of councillors and members of the
community, provided scrutiny and promoted the best interests of
the park. This has now gone, and the decision goes against the
principle of local consultation and community empowerment.
Vigilance will be required to ensure that the assets and features of
what is a premier visitor attraction are protected.
Howwood residents have expressed relief following the rejection of
the planning application for glamping pods at the Bowfield Hotel.
There was strong opposition from local residents to the proposals,
and it was made clear to elected members that there would be
a negative impact on the village. The overwhelming view is that
rejection was the right decision.
I am not presently holding face to face surgeries, however I have
been busy on representing constituents on a wide range of issues.
I am available to be contacted by constituents at any time at cllr.
derek.bibby @renfrewshire.gov.uk or by phone 0300 300 1274 or
07534 156007.
Kilbarchan National Women’s
Register
Members continue to meet on Zoom twice a week with topics
including “The most terrifying position I have been in” and a
“favourite book from childhood”. For further info please see the
website: www.nwr.org.uk or phone: 01505 348627.
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