Unity over day centres support
As many of you know, last week saw the setting of the council’s budget for 2024/2025.
The SNP’s motion won the day with an independent member and the sole Liberal Democrat on the council supporting it.
To be fair, there was not a lot to disagree in it with monies been allocated to some worthwhile causes albeit in pretty small amounts.
The Labour amendment concentrated on giving more money to fewer programmes but to those issues that reflect Labour values like free school dinners, holiday activities for children from lower-income families and to children who have additional support needs.
The Labour group amendment also provided more money for our roads and pavements, many of which are in a sorry state.
One positive item in the
SNP’s motion was money being found to fund a new building for Thorn Primary in Johnstone.
The SNP made a commitment to have this delivered at the last council elections.
It looked at one point to be in doubt but the three Labour councillors in Johnstone have kept this on the agenda and I’m sure the staff and children of Thorn Primary will be delighted.
One thing that united both parties was the council tax freeze.
The Scottish Government really held the council to ransom on this and we were left with little choice to support it.
I’m sure some people will no doubt be happy with this outcome but others will be concerned that services will continue to be cut as a result.
So, whilst the council tax is frozen, water rates are going up by 8.8 per cent and Scotland still pays more in income tax than other parts of the UK .
If our services were of top quality, that would be fair enough, but we all know that’s far from being the case.
The Labour group are not obliged to put up an amendment but I feel it is important that we do as we learn a lot from being part of the process, but also believe that the people of Renfrewshire need to know what our priorities are.
We want to get back to running the council in 2027 and we are happy to let everyone know what they can expect from a Labourrun council.
As well as the budget last week, I managed to get to a couple of local events.
One was held in the Thorn Athletic sports academy and it was an information night by Home Energy Scotland.
I found it very useful, particularly at a time of large energy bills. Some basic changes, like using less water in the kettle, can make a difference.
They can be contacted on homeenergyscotland.org
I’m sure many householders could benefit from their advice.
I also attended a meeting by Katy Clark MSP concerning the issue of violence against women and girls. I must admit it was a humbling experience with many present sharing their experiences of violence and sexual abuse at the hands of men. Some of it in relationships and some in dealing with institutions like the criminal justice service.
I learned a lot from being there and I will take some of what I learned into account in making future decisions that I am involved in.
Unity did break out at last week’s full council meeting with the unanimous backing of a motion calling on the health and social care partnership’s proposals to merge the Mirin and Milldale Centres to be halted.
The vote, although largely symbolic, sent out a strong message to those voting members of the integrated joint board who will make the decision on March 22. All four councillors that are on the board, including myself, voted for the motion.
I’m assuming they will all vote the same way on the day so it’s really over to the four NHS voting members.
I will end by adding my congratulations to Jemma Reekie on winning a silver medal in the World Indoor Athletics Championships in the 800 metres.
Jemma runs for Kilbarchan and I’m sure all at the club will be very proud of her latest achievement.
She is a true inspiration.