Improvements to flower beds, North Woodside Road

The ongoing maintenance of the flower beds next to the cycle lane and footway at North Woodside Road, next to the junction with Maryhill Road, is a concern for residents. This week, I noticed that work was underway to refurbish the flower beds.

This work is being undertaken by the Connecting Woodside Project. We look forward to the improvements to this street's environment being completed. 

Walking around the Forth & Clyde Canal

I enjoy a walk or cycle along the towpath of the Forth and Clyde Canal on a weekly basis. A highlight for many residents during a visit to the area is the chute located next to Garscube Road.

There are also artworks to remember Alasdair Gray who was the novelist, artist and playwright on the canal's path network. Since his death in 2019, an archive about Alasdair Gray has been established at the Whisky Bond on Dawson Road which is open Monday to Friday.

Finance needed to address the homelessness crisis

Thanks to the City Treasurer and members of the Green Councillors Group for their work on this budget agreed on 24th February 2026 along with Finance Staff and Policy Officers. This 2026-27 council budget is offering only a short-term fix by borrowing to cover the costs of B&Bs and hotels needed in response to the homelessness crisis. 

We need more support to accelerate the building of affordable and social homes in Glasgow in 2026. We know that a significant, sustained investment of millions of pounds to address the housing emergency is necessary. We have the highest number of people experiencing homelessness in Scotland but don't have the resources that they need to provide people with homes they require.  

The Council has to be able to take giant steps forward in delivering the good quality, safe, secure and warm homes that our citizens urgently need. We require a breakthrough in our engagement with the Scottish Government and UK Government to enable the city’s housing sector to have long-term certainty to combat the high homelessness rates. 

We welcome a continued commitment from Scottish Government to social housing, with grant funding available for the Affordable Housing Supply Programme for Glasgow. The progress being made in achieving this housing investment through a partnership with Scottish Government is greatly appreciated. However, the Council has to be able to ensure Glasgow’s housing investment is provide at a level that can take on the challenge of eradicating child poverty. 

Increased investment to prevent and end homelessness, with targeted support for groups at higher risk, including women experiencing domestic abuse and disabled people is vital. There is a need for a particular emphasis on increasing the availability of family-sized properties. The transformation of domestic energy use to tackle fuel poverty and drive the shift to efficient, low carbon heating can address housing costs and prevent homelessness.

Housing developments are essential to be able to grow the local economy and improve the wellbeing for our citizens and communities in 2026. We are faced with significant issues due to construction costs, inflation, labour shortages and regulatory pressures affecting housing supply in the year ahead. There is a risk of delivery of new homes slowing down. 

It is more important than ever that we continue to work to support efforts to end homelessness across Council Services and push to secure the resources needed from the UK Government and Scottish Government. By supporting collaboration and innovation, we can aim to accelerate housing investment, leverage additional private investment and boost overall housing supply. 

Support for public artworks

This week, I noticed new artwork located at Lansdowne Crescent to enhance the area's appearance.

There is support for the development of street artworks across the West End. 

Public CCTV camera installed in Woodside

There is a new re-deployable CCTV Camera located at the junction of North Woodside Road and St Georges Road. This CCTV camera was installed in response to local concerns about anti-social behaviour and the need to improve community safety. 

There has been community consultation which supported  the location of this CCTV camera on St. Georges Road.

Update on Cycle Lane, St. Georges Road

This month, there has been further work on the installation of a new cycle lane along St. Georges Road between St Georges Cross and Glenfarg Street.

New public realm improvements at St Georges Place and Clarendon Place

New pedestrian crossing on St Georges Road

New cycle lane on St Georges Road

New cycle lane on St Georges Road

New cycle lane on St Georges Road

                    New cycle lane on St Georges Road outside Woodside Library

There is ongoing progress in creating the cycle lane along St Georges Road. Local businesses and Woodside Library on St. Georges Road continue to be open during the works. 

Strengthen regulations for funeral insurance policies

I am shocked that thousands of credit union members are faced with the loss of funeral insurance cover. The insurer, Maiden Life, has cancelled policies leaving their customers out of pocket from 1st December 2025.

This is causing significant impact on individuals and families across Glasgow. The result is financial pressures when families are grieving for a loved one. These families have been left to find money for funeral expenses pushing them in to debt and financial hardship.

The distress of organising a funeral is intensified by the stress of having to scrape together money for funeral costs. They can find they are unable to do perhaps what that person wanted or what they feel is right to honour that person. It is making some people suffer ill health due to the strain, both mentally, and physically.

It can be overwhelming for families to deal with as the cost of dying has reached a record high in the UK.

It is vital that the Financial Conduct Authority and credit unions are able to establish a compensation scheme offering support for those who have a Family Protection Plan and explore emergency actions to prevent funeral poverty.

With reference to the discussions of Funeral Service Reform at the UK Parliament,  we can request that there are measures put in place to strengthening the Financial Conduct Authority’s regulatory framework.