A long time in politics
I can’t quite believe that it is nearly a year since the council elections.
I know they say that as you get older time flies, but this year really has been a whirlwind!
I spent the majority of my career working in the hospitality industry, however after I lost my mum in 2009, I began working for the Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice who had provided her palliative care.
My experience in this job instilled my personal belief that in life you must do something you are passionate about, and for me, that is helping others.
As part of my role, I am lucky to be invited to many local events, such as Landemer Day, Burnside in Bloom, and very recently, the Easter Extravaganza which was organised by the Friends of Overtoun Park.
None of these events would take place without the army of volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes, often for several months, to ensure each day goes as planned and that everyone has a good time.
The volunteers are the heart of our community and I would like to say thank you to them all for all of their dedication and hard work.
However, for our communities to continue to thrive, they need great local spaces.
I therefore welcome the plans to transform the former Blairbeth Golf Club into an Urban Park site.
This proposal will include multi-use facilities, like the creation of allotments and a mountain bike track feature,ensuring there will be something for everyone.
It is also great news that the Scottish Government have recently provided a £300,000 award through their Regeneration Capital Grant Fund to build a new community facility in Springhall.
I know this money will be put to good use for the regeneration of Springhall.
One of the main issues that people continue to raise with me is anti-social behaviour.
For the last year I have been attending meetings of the Rutherglen and Cambuslang Crime Prevention Panel, who meet regularly at Tesco Burnside.
Their AGM is due to take place on May 8 and if new members cannot be recruited and a new Chair elected, then sadly the group will have to disband.
So if this is something that may interest you, then please get in touch for further information or join us on May 8.
I can be reached on 07388955042, or by email at carol. nugent@southlanarkshire.gov. uk.