Spouting rhetoric

I opened the Advertiser [January 18] to find the leader of North Lanarkshire Council spouting nothing but party rhetoric and using an issue previously highlighted by your paper to influence voters in the upcoming local elections – much as Alex Neil MSP did before last year’s Holyrood vote.

Airdrie town centre, specifically the Orr’s building, is an issue close to the hearts of many who would like to see real change.

Council leader Jim Logue stated that the issue is“on the agenda for the next meeting of the housing committee”.

I find it puzzling that he can express these opinions when the council has no operational control of the building; no detailed architectural plans approved; a number of previous, detailed objections have hindered progression, and to my knowledge the housing committee cannot be submitted reports on this building until the council takes receipt of it?

Councillor Logue states he has a vision for our areas and massive investment, while on the same page there’s a story that quotes him saying the council is facing further cuts which will reduce services.

If they are prepared to secure funding to redevelop this building, why is it that simpler, more obvious issues in town centres – such as street furniture in dangerous states of disrepair – are being neglected?

Another pet project of his seems to be securing funding for Airdrie swimming baths.

It appears he has a bottomless pit of funding at his disposal, even though the issue of Audit Scotland’s concern that contracts have been overspent leaving a black hole of £20 million have not yet been addressed in public.