Positivity and passion is inspiring
BY RENFREWSHIRE SOUTH MSP TOM ARTHUR
It’s been great being able to get back out and about in the constituency over the past few weeks.
I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting with local organisations to discuss their experiences of the pandemic and the new working practices they have adopted to maintain the safety of their staff and customers alike.
From housebuilders to high street traders, I’ve spoken to a range of people and it never fails to amaze me the positivity and passion they show in the services offered to local people.
I met with Taylor Wimpey West Scotland at their Duncarnock site in Barrhead, the weather was seasonally dreich, but we didn’t let that stop us.
TW Scotland’s divisional chair Ian Drummond led the tour of the site and, on our way around, we stopped to chat with members of the graduate scheme and some of the construction apprentices, most of whom hail from the towns and villages in the area.
As well as boosting local employment and creating over
300 new homes, it was particularly encouraging to see the full plans for the Duncarnock estate and how much thought has gone into providing communal green space and play areas for future residents of all ages.
Further community benefits include 25 properties on the site for social rent, which will be signed over to Barrhead Housing Association upon completion and extensive infrastructure improvements in the access roads which have already been actioned.
I kicked off Living Wage Week with a visit to Barrhead Housing Association’s Main Street offices.
BHA is one of Renfrewshire South’s many Living Wage Employers and, on the day that the new rate of £9.90 per hour was announced, it was very fitting to meet with a few of the huge number of staff across Scotland who stand to benefit from the increase.
Last week, I also had a chance to catch up with Johnstone Business Consortium to discuss how the Scotland Loves Local Campaign could operate in Johnstone, current challenges to local businesses in the town and ways we can work together to boost the local economy and encourage people back into the town centre.
We are all so thankful to businesses in Johnstone and across Renfrewshire South who have worked so hard over the last 20 months to ensure that their customers could continue to buy food and other essential items, even in the most trying of circumstances.
It’s important that we now show that gratitude by supporting them in whatever way we can, utilising the amazing range of independent traders on our high streets.
As well as visiting local organisations, I’ve also been operating my regular surgeries.
For the time being, they are still online, but, if any of my constituents would prefer a face-to-face meeting at a location convenient for them, I am more than happy to arrange this.
Please get in touch via tom.arthur. msp@parliament.scot or by telephone on 01505 331 990 to do so.