320 December 2021 - Gryffe Advertizer

ward 9
Cllr Derek Bibby
ENVIRONMENT: As I write it is the mid point of the COP 26 climate change
conference in Glasgow, held amid growing concern around increased flood
risks in towns and villages across Renfrewshire. The communities of Kilbarchan,
Lochwinnoch and Howwood have seen the manifest effects of climate change over the last few
years, and as recently as August this year we were hit with what was described by Renfrewshire
Council as a 1 in 400 year event.
Predictions are that such episodes in the future will become far more common than we have
known, and those predictions with recent flooding incidents must act as a wake up call, if one
were needed, for Renfrewshire Council, SEPA and the Scottish and UK Governments. As far
as the Council is concerned its climate change group will need to develop a short term and
long term strategy, and give guidance to other council policy boards in terms of their decision
making,
Issues that require swift attention surround improvements to the drainage infrastructure, the
prioritisation of areas particularly prone to flooding ,and the wisdom (or lack of it) in approving
the release of land for development, which is at serious risk of flooding .
POST OFFICE: Following the withdrawal of the postal service in Lochwinnoch, I have been
working with Johnstone Post Office to identify a suitable location for an outreach service that will
operate on 2 half days per week. The service will take several weeks to set up, and I have asked
Renfrewshire Leisure for approval to locate the service in the McKillop which is seen as the most
appropriate location.
McKILLOP HALL: At the time of writing, the completion date for the refurbishment of the
McKillop is January, however previous end dates and time scales have slipped, and therefore I
have asked Renfrewshire Council to seek reassurance from the contractors that there will be no
further delay.
ROAD SAFETY: A report on a new road safety policy for Renfrewshire was submitted to the
Council’s Infrastructure and Environmental Board at the beginning of November. This covers
a whole range of issues, ranging from speeding and traffic calming measures, to a mandatory
20mph speed limit, parking and pedestrian safety. This is undoubtedly a significant report and
can be found on the Council’s website.
The issues outlined are well known to residents in Kilbarchan, Howwood and Lochwinnoch
and the respective Community Councils have been working hard on specific concerns in their
villages. I want the Council to recognise this, and it is important that there is concerted pressure
to ensure the 3 villages are given a fair deal to find solutions which meet local need in regard
to road safety, and that the necessary funding is secured from the Council and the Scottish
Government.
ENDING THE YEAR: It is hard to believe that we are nearing the years end.
I want to place on record my thanks to all the community groups and individuals in Kilbarchan,
Howwood and Lochwinnoch who have worked tirelessly throughout what has been another
difficult year. After the privations of 2020, I hope that the festive season this year will return to
something like normality. Whatever your plans I wish everyone in Kilbarchan Howwood and
Lochwinnoch a Happy and Peaceful Christmas.
I can be contacted on any issue at cllr.derek.bibby@renfrewshire.gov.uk or by phone on 0300
300 1274 or 07534 156007.
Cllr Andy Doig
REFLECTION: As we
approach the Christmas
period the season of Advent
is traditionally a period of
reflection, and I would like to
reflect and thank all community
activists for all that they bring to villages like
Lochwinnoch, Howwood, and Kilbarchan. Be
it as community councillors, litter pickers, youth
group leaders or gala day organisers, I salute
you all for the richness of commitment that you
all contribute to our communities which make
them better places to live. I realise these gifts
are not given for praise, but rarely is praise given
so I want to say thank you.
ROAD SAFETY: I have a very important update
arising from my motion to try and persuade
the Scottish Government to introduce a
national 20mph limit on residential roads
which I promoted at the Full Council meeting
in September this year. The last meeting of the
Land, Environment, and Infrastructure Board
passed a new policy that now Community
Councils can nominate roads in their area for
potential 20mph status. This does not mean
that all proposed will be accepted but it is a
major step forward in giving our villages a
stronger voice to keep our streets safer.
LOOKING OUT: I would also like to wish all my
constituents across the ward, of all faiths and
none, a very happy and joyous Christmas. As
families gather around the tree let us all try and
keep an eye on those, such as the very elderly,
who may have little or no family. Please consider
the vulnerable and less fortunate this Christmas
and do all you can to help them. Family should
be the keynote of every Christmas so please
think of those you have and hold dear, and
those that are no longer with us, but that are
sorely missed.
I do not have advice surgeries in the month of
December, but constituents can get me at any
time either by calling me on 07534 148224, or
e-mailing me at cllr.andy.doig@renfrewshire.
gov.uk. My advice surgeries will resume in
January 2022.
local community, local business, local life ......... 20