Taxpayers ‘should not fund £3k reception’
A councillor has criticised a decision to spend £3,000 on a civic reception for a society named after Paisley.
Councillor Jim Sheridan said Renfrewshire taxpayers shouldn’t be funding international visitors from the Clan Paisley Society.
The finance board meeting earlier this month agreed to fund a civic lunch to honour the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the society.
It plans to invite members of the clan from around the world to Renfrewshire on Sunday, August 26, for service at Paisley Abbey and tour followed by a three-course lunch for 90 people in Paisley Town Hall.
The Clan Paisley Society was set up in 1988 and has branches in the UK, America, Australia and New Zealand. It’s chief is Duncan Paisley of Westerlea, chief of the name and arms of Paisley of Westerlea and chieftain of the Paisley family worldwide.
Labour man Jim said: “When I looked up the Baron Duncan Paisley of Westerlea there is a very tenuous link to Paisley or wider Renfrewshire.
“I’ve asked the council and there have been no answers forthcoming.
“The directive to have the civic reception has gone through. I would argue there are many more groups in Paisley and Renfrewshire worthy of a civic reception.
“At the same time as laying on this lavish reception, the council is increasing the cost of children’s school meals.
“Our current and future generations who are more important than romanticising about the elites of generations past.”
Councillor Sheridan and Councillor Jim Sharkey have put forward a motion at today’s full council meeting asking for the Provost to provide a list of the guests attending the civic reception and what their relationship is to Paisley and Renfrewshire.
Councillor Sheridan added: “I don’t think the taxpayers of Renfrewshire will be happy to pay £3,000 for people to come from abroad to have a civic reception in Paisley. There are far more worthy causes than that.
“I don’t have any problem with attracting tourism but I don’t think the taxpayers should fund it.”
Renfrewshire Provost Lorraine Cameron said: “There are strict rules over civic receptions.
“We look at the applications carefully and there are many occasions where we don’t approve the application.
“I have met with Baron Duncan of Westerlea and he wants to promote Paisley. The people coming for the celebration will be staying in Paisley and boosting the economy.
“If people are bringing people to Paisley, staying in Renfrewshire, enhancing the economy and benefitting the name of Paisley, that’s a good enough reason to give civic hospitality.”