Complaint lodged in Ferguslie Park war of words

Community council boss calls for ceasefire in row

24.07.2018 Jack Thomson Local Democracy Reporter

The group running the Tannahill Centre has lodged a formal complaint about Ferguslie Community Council for “aggressive and unacceptable” behaviour.

The centre’s committee is refusing to meet with the community council after a row over returning part of the facility to the group chaired by John McIntyre.

Now bosses at the Paisley centre hav e w r i t t e n to Renfrewshire Council, complaining about the group’s conduct.

Ferguslie Group, which owns the whole centre, had previously rejected a request to return the community wing to the community council.

Chairwoman of the Tannahill Centre executive committee Christine Reilly then resigned from her position as a community councillor after feeling a local worker was “berated” at a meeting by another office bearer.

She also cited a “hostile attitude” shown to other organisations and ideas in Ferguslie Park.

Ferguslie Group’s interim chief executive Lynn McCulloch issued a statement, warning the community council it had “crossed a line” with its recent conduct, including claims Ms Reilly had been “looking for an excuse” to quit because of a “conflict of interests”.

She described Ms Reilly as a “highly principled, decent and committed” person, who had worked “tirelessly and voluntarily” on behalf of the people of Ferguslie Park.

Ms McCulloch then added: “Members of our staff have been spoken to in an aggressive and unacceptable manner both in the Tannahill Centre and at a recent community council meeting.

“This community organisation is not prepared to have any staff member or volunteer spoken to in such a manner.

“We have at all times expressed a willingness to engage with the community council, including offering them an office at significantly discounted rates. But a line has been crossed by the way it’s behaved recently. We would ask that the community council reflects on its behaviour and agrees to withdraw its untruthful and offensive remarks so that we can discuss the best way forward for the whole community.

“If the current behaviours persist, we must unfortunately decline to meet them for the sake of volunteers and staff.”

Meanwhile, John McIntyre, chair of Ferguslie Community Council, called for a ceasefire between the two groups.

He said: “We understand that there’s been faults on both sides. I totally accept that. If people feel they have been offended by my actions, I totally apologise for that.

“There’s enough people outside of Ferguslie Park throwing stones in.

“So for us to continue internally with this constant argument is not good for Ferguslie Park’s future. I would like to create a situation where we can get back round the table again and discuss Ferguslie Park’s future.”