As I reflect on the last year, I have to appreciate that the civic space at Vinicombe Street has been retained for community use and public events. It was designed as a vital meeting space for wider community benefit.
Recently, on a visit to Maryhill Burgh Hall, I found a painting of Stair Street on display. The title is "Mrs Hendry Goes To Work" by Peter Haughton.
We can welcome the agreements between COSLA, Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority to work together on four key priority areas including local scrutiny and accountability to strengthen collaboration between Local Government and policing.
From my experience as a local councillor, I am aware of how important our local police officers are. Recently, when I found a man in need of medical attention on the street, it was the local police response that ensured he was taken to A&E.
The roll out of school streets to encourage walking and cycling is not possible without the support of police officers carrying out enforcement.
The partnership between police officers and trading standards officers to shut out scammers is hugely welcomed.
However, we need to ensure every citizen can easily access an efficient complaints procedure. We can support Dame Elish Angiolini’s proposal for an improved police complaints system, and welcome a much enhanced role in complaints for the independent Police Investigations and Review Commissioner.
We can support the work of the Greater Glasgow Police Team on dealing with sexism and misogyny within all levels of policing There is vital work needed to build the confidence of women and girls in local policing across Glasgow.
Through support for COSLA and the Safe Glasgow partnership, there can be a review of local accountability and scrutiny of policing. This work can consider and support the facilitation of people’s rights to protest.
We know that reducing our reliance on fossil fuels is critical to our net zero future. We need to support a Just Transition for Glasgow which implements decarbonisation that meets our climate ambitions. This is more urgent than ever.
We can and must do more locally to provide a greener,
fairer future. The new investment zone can deliver on our commitment to set out
an ambitious, net zero transition plan and lay the foundation for a just and
prosperous future, in which no one is left behind.
In the autumn of 2022, the Glasgow City Council established
a cross party Just Transition Working Group and this working group has drawn on a wide
range of people’s knowledge and experience to help shape our city’s future as
we move from a post-industrial to a post-carbon city.
The Just Transition Working Group report and its 18
recommendations have been published.
This report provides a focus on four areas including the
Just Transition approaches adopted by Scottish Government, as well as the
preparations by the private sector. The key role of communities, trade unions
and citizens is also detailed in the report. In addition, the Council’s actions
to enable a just transition to take place are outlined.
In the coming weeks, there will be an opportunity to engage
in discussions on the 18 recommendations and their implementation through a new
investment zone. This work can support green skills and jobs, including apprenticeships
and retraining programmes to retain
the local skilled workforce for the rollout of net-zero projects such as local
heat networks and the renewables supply chain.
We have to follow a Just Transition process with workers
and the businesses at the forefront.
The investment zone’s support for a fair and just
transition is an environmental necessity and is absolutely key to our city’s
security.
There have been roadworks to resurface Great Western Road between St. Georges Cross and Napiershall Street. This is very welcome to address concerns about potholes on this busy section of roadway.
The new mural of young women has improved the environment at St. Georges Road. The area is busy with traffic and is a major thoroughfare for pedestrians walking to/from the city centre.
The local community's quality of daily life is enhanced by the work of the mural artist.
Recently, I have noticed more hoarding erected around the site of the M8 Woodside Viaduct as it undergoes refurbishment.
On 17th September, I joined healthcare staff from across Glasgow on a bike ride around the perimeter of the Low Emission Zone (LEZ).
This bike ride aimed to highlight the toll of air pollution on hospital admissions and premature birth of the city's residents. The route started at the SEC where the COP26 summit was held and followed the LEZ perimeter to Glasgow's Royal Infirmary Hospital.
We joined the canal towpath to Claypits Nature Reserve to raise awareness of the importance of active travel infrastructure and greenspace to improvements in air quality.
There is ongoing concern about the condition of the classical villa located at the corner of Great George Street and Bank Street. This villa, formerly Bloomfield Cottage, is one of a pair on Great George Street. The left villa contains 10 Great George Street and 63 Bank Street, and the right villa contains 2 and 4 Great George Street.
This month, I enjoyed spending time in the Byres Road and its lanes. There is progress in the streetscape works taking place from Partick Cross to University Avenue.
On Tuesday 19th September, I stood in solidarity with University of Glasgow's staff on strike for fair pay deal. Striking is always the last resort. The last thing that staff want to do is harm students' education.
Thankfully, the road markings have been reinstated on Great Western Road between Bank Street and Byres Road. The road marking were provided after the resurfacing of this section of the roadway by the council's contractors.
Many local businesses were requiring the road lining works to support their deliveries. This road surfacing was identified as a priority in the council's road assets management report.
On Thursday 24th August, I enjoyed spending time in Woodlands Community Garden. It is a beautiful place where you can relax and stop for a break.
This garden is a productive space with people using raised beds to grow fruit, flowers and vegetables for their families.
There are several benches within the garden where you can sit to appreciate this amazing greenspace. if you want to meet other people in Woodlands, there are gardening sessions and social events advertised on the garden's noticeboard.
We have to protect our Scottish Fire & Rescue Services. Specifically, I object to the removal of the Maryhill Fire Station's 2nd Pump which is located within the Hillhead Ward that I have been elected to represent.
This area is a growing, densely populated community which includes significant student housing accommodation, tenemental flats, multi-storey flats, many historic listed buildings at risk, higher education institutions (University of Glasgow, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland), local schools, community health facilities, hotels, B&Bs, and main high streets (Byres Road, Great Western Road, Woodlands Road). Recently, it has helped in hosting the cycling championships and is a focus for visitors/tourists to Glasgow. It is bounded by the Forth and Clyde Canal and is cut through by the River Kelvin.
There is a significant risk from surface water flooding, climate change impacts, and wildfires as well as fire raising, accidental fires in tenement flats or multi storeys, and serious road accidents across the area which can require a response from Scottish Fire & Rescue Service. With an aging, vulnerable population, home safety fire visits are crucial.
I appreciate the difficult financial climate but I hope that additional funding can be secured to protect the vital frontline provision of Scottish Fire & Rescue Service.
Yesterday, I supported residents to clean up flytipping within the Burnbank Terrace and Seamore Street area. There is ongoing concern about the dumping of items that could be recycled including cardboard and furniture.
There is a vital role for Woodside Leisure Centre at Braid Square in providing access to swimming pool, fitness studio and gym facilities for local residents and wider community. It has a Victorian pool and it is the oldest swimming baths in Glasgow.
From Friday 21st July, essential works on A804 Phoenix Road as part of the repairs to M8 Woodside Viaducts J16-18 are underway. A full road closure of the A804 Phoenix Road for vehicles is required to complete permanent bridge repairs.
On Friday 16th June, there was a heavy thunderstorm which caused flash flooding. I observed a river running down Byres Road at its peak.
This week, the resurfacing of the pavement using tarmac has been completed at Queen Margaret Drive between Fergus Drive and Oban Drive. Residents and businesses have been asking for repairs to the pavement for many years. This work ensures that the area is safer for pedestrians.
In the last month, I have cycled to the Stockingfield Junction Bridge to enjoy views over Glasgow. Also, I found the sculpture and public art known as The Voice by Louise McVey, which is installed as a feature at the bridge.
Currently, the Cameron Memorial Fountain is surrounded by heras fencing. It is needing urgent repairs and maintenance to be retained as a significant historic landmark. It has tilted for over 100 years.
