Relief as lifeline centres saved
It’s been quite a week in Scottish politics with the resignation of the First Minister Humza Yousaf.
As you can imagine, as a Labour man I’m not going to shed any tears over the loss of an SNP leader.
But with the country now going to have its third leader in just over a year, it’s little wonder the nation is in a state of chaos.
I’m not bothered in the slightest who becomes the new leader of the SNP but, with the countdown started to the next Scottish parliamentary elections in two years’ time, whoever becomes First Minister has a huge task in turning around the current situation in Scotland.
They’ll inherit the shambles that is the NHS, high drug deaths, the decline of our education system, a housing crisis and so much more. Roll on 2026!
Here in Renfrewshire, we had some good news with the vote to reject the proposal to merge the Milldale and Mirin centres for adults with learning disabilities.
The parents and carers of the people who use this service have campaigned with great dignity in their fight to preserve this service for their loved ones.
It was quite an emotional day in the council chambers when the decision was made. I wish all who were involved in this campaign the best for the future and I’m glad this period of uncertainty is over for them.
Also saved from closure was the Flexicare service which I think with a bit of work can grow into a much-treasured service here in Renfrewshire.
Another such valued service is the Paisley museum.
Although not quite finished yet, I, along with other councillors, am going to visit the building this week. I am keen to see the progress made as the last time I visited it was truly a building site.
I’m sure by the time it reopens the museum will once again be a building and facility everyone in Renfrewshire can be extremely proud of.
Of course, it is vital that people can get access to Paisley to visit the museum and other facilities in the town and a report presented this week to the council looked at how bus services can be improved in the area.
That, along with Labour’s plans to renew rail services, suggests to me that national politicians are serious about bringing about the radical change that is needed to our public transport system in Renfrewshire.
Although I never made it to the event, I heard from friends that the Paisley Food and Drink Festival last weekend was very good and also pretty busy. That along with the Paisley Book Festival meant that the town was bustling over the weekend and that’s what we want to see.
I attended the opening of the book festival and it’s great to see this annual cultural event going from strength to strength.
As some of you know, the Paisley Daily Express is celebrating its 150th year. I, on behalf of Renfrewshire Labour Group, will be moving a motion at next week’s full council meeting which I hope gets cross-party support.
This newspaper has been at the heart of Paisley life for generations and has reported many momentous events in the town’s history. I hope it continues to flourish for years to come and I believe it is vitally important for democracy to have a daily paper in the town the size of Paisley.
In closing, I attended the sixth year graduation ceremony at Johnstone High recently. It was particularly enjoyable to see youngsters marking the end of their school education.
I wish all young people leaving our schools best wishes for the future.