People are fed up with governments
Last week saw me complete visits to all the schools in the Johnstone South and Elderslie ward along with St Benedict’s High School since the start of the new year.
I was made to feel very welcome by the staff and the pupils.
I met with all the head teachers and I have to say I was impressed by them and firmly believe that they are all doing a great job in a very difficult financial situation, as well as trying to get the kids through this difficult post-pandemic period.
So, I’m pleased to say that all the schools in the ward are all doing really well.
Today, the integrated joint board will meet to make decisions whether or not to close health and social care services here in Renfrewshire.
I’m afraid the board’s finances are in a sorry state.
One of the reports on the board papers states quite openly that, as we move into 2024/25, health and social care is receiving its worst settlement since devolution.
As I have said before in this column, the NHS as we know it is under real threat and we ignore this real threat to health services at our peril.
As we approach the General Election, I was amazed to hear there is talk within the SNP of not sending any of their MPs to Westminster.
Now this suggestion was quickly rubbished by the First Minister.
Surely the least people can expect from their elected MP is for them to turn up and represent their constituents?
This suggestion makes it very hard for SNP candidates to sell themselves to voters on the doorsteps.
Talking about Westminster, the comments made by Frank Hester about Diane Abbott were truly awful and the decision by Rishi Sunak to hold on to Hester’s £10 million donation tells you all you need to know about this discredited Conservative government.
I have been out a couple of times with the Labour candidate in Paisley and Renfrewshire South, Johanna Baxter, campaigning in Johnstone and it’s quite clear people are fed up with both the SNP and Conservative governments in Edinburgh and London. An election can’t come soon enough.
As we approach the end of winter, we can see the extent of the damage done to our roads.
I can’t remember a time when as a councillor I have received so many complaints about the state of our roads.
As a driver and sometime cyclist myself, you certainly need to keep your wits about you trying to avoid the number of potholes on our roads.
At the recent council budget, the SNP administration cut the roads budget. So, it seems that things will get a lot worse before they get better.
In finishing, I’m so glad that funding has been found to keep Sma’ Shot Day in its current form.
This day means so much to the people of Paisley and Renfrewshire. So, well done to all those involved in securing this event for this year and, in particular, Labour councillors Carolann Davidson and Janis Macdonald who presented a motion in support of this special day to the full council on behalf of Renfrewshire Labour Group.