This is the start of something really good for our area

Feguslie’s first community council gets under way

Ferguslie Community Council is to hold its first official meeting after being formally constituted.

The inaugural meeting will take place next week after local residents campaigned to have their own organisation.

Candidates living in the area put forward their names to be elected to the community council, with all 10 people unopposed and taking up their role with immediate effect on October 2.

Earlier this year, residents submitted a petition to Renfrewshire Council to have their own community council.

Ferguslie residents attended a public meeting in August to put plans in place for the election, with candidates being called to submit their nominations by the end of September.

The community council wi l l represent the views of local residents to Renfrewshire Council and other public bodies.

John McIntyre, interim chairperson of Ferguslie Community Council, said: “Our community has come together to help make things happen in our area.

“This is the start of something really good for our local people.

“I signed up because I care about Ferguslie and its residents and I want to help make it a better place to live

“We look forward to our first official meeting where we will set out what the priorities of our community council are and decide what we want to achieve.

“The meeting is open to the public and we’d love to see residents come along on the night.”

The community council has held informal meetings recently, with interim office bearers elected.

These meetings represented the first time in two decades a community group of this kind was up and running in Ferguslie.

Now the community council has received formal backing from Renfrewshire Council as it bids to build Ferguslie into a strong, supportive community.

Leader of Renfrewshire Council, Iain Nicolson, said: “I am really encouraged by the noticeable enthusiasm and dedication shown by the Ferguslie community.

“Community councils provide a valuable way to express views on behalf of all residents, acting as their voice and expressing significant matters and concerns to the council and its community planning partners.”

Ferguslie Community Council’s first formal meeting takes place in St Ninian’s Parish Church Hall, Blackstoun Road, Paisley, on Monday, October 30, at 7pm.

The agenda and election results can be found on Renfrewshire Council’s website at www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/ FerguslieCC