One U-turn too many
It is now over a year since the last local council elections and for new councillors it can be a steep learning curve.
However, as in most workplaces, there are rules and guidance in place to help councillors understand the procedures of how the local authority conducts its business.
The council issued the latest copy of its Standing Orders (the rules on how meetings are conducted) to all councillors when they were elected.
It’s a small book, with only about 20 pages or so.
Even the slowest reader could managed to have read it all by now, yet Councillor Alison Dowling appears to have failed to even picked it up.
For about the third occasion since being elected, she has called for council meetings to be suspended so that she can vote against something she (and her party) had already approved.
It seems strange that Councillor Dowling votes one way one week, yet a week or so later, under the glare of the council’s webcasting cameras, she calls for Standing Orders to be suspended so that she can change how she previously voted
If Councillor Dowling and the Labour group had a concern about the Citizens’ Advice Bureau funding, then they should have raised it at the leadership board and changed the recommendations rather than simply vote for the additional funding and then a week later try to overturn their vote to request even more money.
It’s no wonder the public get fed up with politicians when you have indecisive politicians like Councillor Dowling who appears unable to make her mind up on any issue and constantly seeks to overturn her own votes. Councillor Kenny MacLaren Paisley Northwest Ward Avondale Drive Paisley
Moreloos, please
Saturday was Sma’ Shot Day, with the usual fantastic parade from Brodie Park to Abbey Close.
Sadly, I was not able to attend the parade as I was helping to man the SNP stall (Paisley Tannahill Branch).
I have to say, the deck chairs were a great idea – they really brought back memories of going down to the seaside.
The best part was watching people trying to put up a deck chair ... it was a real laugh watching them.
All the other events going on elsewhere in and around the town centre were great.
The only slightly negative thing I heard people saying was that there were not enough toilets.
Yes, the toilets in the town hall could be used, however, even they were very busy.
Maybe when this event comes around in 2019, the organisers will put in place more toilet facilities, especially for anyone with disabilities. Kenneth McMaster Paisley Buddie