COUNCILLOR RAYLEEN KELLY

ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

The Scottish Executive's anti social behaviour roadshow is in Paisley's County Square today and I went along to find out more about it.

You can't actually miss it as the truck is HUGE! the personnel are giving out leaflets and talking to members of the public even though it is a cold, wet and windy day people are stopping to talk to them. The truck it's self is pretty impressive there are comment cards, loads of literature both local and national, a TV screen showing the latest Scottish Executive Adverts, computers with quiz's and a video booth where you can leave a message on anti social behaviour for the Scottish Executive. While I was there, there were a few people checking out the computers talking to the wardens and the police representatives and the whole thing seems to be a success.

Unfortunately the bus is only here for the day, and they are meant to be leaving at 5pm. I would like to thank the representatives who were there ALL day in the rain and wind helping the public with their queries and I hope that the rest of the day was as successful as the time I spent with them.

COUNCILLOR RAYLEEN KELLY

WILLIAMSBUGH COURT

One of the main issues that I have had to deal with since becoming a Councillor is parking. You will have noticed earlier posts on the proposed parking scheme for the East End of Paisley, but, on this occasion the parking is in the residential car park of Williamsburgh Court.

It has been a long process and we have tried MANY solutions but through discussion with the Residents Association and the Housing department it has been agreed to install gates at the front entrance of the car park, the meeting went well and it was very positive. I know that the residents were delighted with the Housing Department's suggestions and can't wait for the next Neighbourhood Housing Forum in order to get things in motion.

Hopefully this will help alleviate the situation, and I am delighted to have been able to work with the tenants association to come to bring this problem to the attention of the Housing Department.

LAST WEEK'S POLL

DISABLED PARKING BAYS

As you will see from the side bar I have removed last week's poll and started a new one, last weeks was quite successful so I hope to make this a regular feature. The results for last week's poll are as follows ...

66% of respondents agreed that Disabled Parking bays should be legally enforceable while 34% disagreed.

Not quite as clear cut as you might have thought. What does this prove? Well nothing really, it is a small sample and not widely publicised but, if the results were replicated on a larger scale it would show a significant level of support for the private members bill by Jackie Baillie MSP.

Thanks to everyone who took part and have fun with the next poll, how likely are you to vote in the Local Government Elections in May?

BNP RACIST?

are they or aren't they?

Many of you might be thinking that I have went a little strange but I have seen others be condemned for calling them racist and repugnant without actually researching what they stand for, so I have.

Looking around YouTube for something interesting politically it came up with a few BNP TV excerpts, and I was struck especially in the one about the building of a mosque by the lack of reasoning given for being against the Muslim or immigrant society. I think of myself as a British Citizen, yet my fathers side of the family are Irish Immigrants, it is funny that you never hear the BNP talk about those immigrants, in these videos they talk a lot about the Muslim community.

In the video I mentioned earlier the supporters talk about free speech, they talk about how the building of a mosque takes away their free speech and it takes away their culture, my question is how? They talk in another video about Croydon and asylum seekers coming to claim benefits, they then go on to suggest that they may be (not could be or remote possibility etc but may be) terrorists or criminals, no mention of the thousands of asylum seekers who are law abiding citizens looking for refuge, no mention of the thousands of 'indigenous' English/Scottish/Irish/Welsh or British people who are criminals and terrorists and this is exactly where the BNP shows it's racist under belly.

The problem for the BNP is that although they suggest that they are not racist EVERY time I hear them speak they seem to blame the ills in this country on the immigrant population, as a great great grand child of an Irish immigrant I find them offensive, as a friend to a few Asians I find them offensive and as a decent human being I find their views and political ramblings offensive, the problem is that some people fall for their solution of get rid of the immigrants and everything will be OK.

Even worse is the Scottish video where the guy stands in front of the camera and uses the image of Kris Donald in a bid to describe how bad Scotland's immigration problem is. Criminals and murderers come in all shapes, races, sexes, religions and sizes there is no one model, there is no way to say who will or will not be a murderer. The BNP use the Kris Donald murder as an excuse to vilify the Asian community and that is what I find repugnant.

Whether they think it or not, whether they like it or not they are racist and the views they express in these videos are repugnant, they can argue as much as they like but the idea that someone elses views or religious freedom would take away your free speech without honest or reasoned argument puts people off and shows a fear of the other person's religion and culture, why be afraid, embrace it, it may not be what you are used to or what you believe in but it will enrich your life and your understanding of the world.

PET HATES

LANE CLOSURES

As I have mentioned on here before I don't drive, but, my sister and I went to Braehead this afternoon and she drove. My sister is an excellent driver and obeys the speed limit and knows her highway code practically inside out, I know this because I constantly ask her questions and annoyingly she always knows the answers.

Anyone who has visited Braehead recently will know that on the way out of the red car park one of the lanes is closed, on coming back from XScape after dinner we noticed my biggest pet hate... drivers who know that the outside lane is closed but travel right up it anyway to force their way into the traffic to save themselves about five minutes, it annoys other drivers and it causes accidents because people get really frustrated.

Well to the guy who was travelling behind us in the dark green car, well done! knowing that the outside lane closed ahead he sat in the middle of both lanes to stop the traffic skipping the que, it seems childish I know but it did make me smile, one driver behind him even peeped the horn to try and move him out the road, I mean they know the lane is closed why peep your horn? Like you are going to get a good reception to that from everyone else on the road who knows exactly what you are up to!

COUNCILLOR RAYLEEN KELLY

NHS AND CLYDEMUIRSHIEL


Today was another one of those where you are running to catch up with yourself, this morning was the Clyde Muirshiel Park Joint Authority meeting which is always really interesting. Unfortunately on the agenda this morning was an item (number 6) suggesting that we shut the facility at Lunderston Bay, no one wants to shut the facility we recognise the benefits of the service but, the ineffectual management of Inverclyde Council and Ardgowan Estates has meant that the reputation of the Park and it's managers are being damaged as we are being blamed for the run down nature of the facilities on offer.

The Councillor from Inverclyde (who was standing in from the usual delegate) suggested that we don't shut the facility, he advised that he would talk to the Chief Executive and get something sorted, although the rest of the committee were sceptical about the progress we agreed that we give the Council until the 29th of March to make significant progress, it was pointed out that Inverclyde Council have had a representative present at this board and that although the action being taken is welcome it is 'too little too late'.

Next quick journey down the road back to the Council chambers and into the Community Health Partnership, the meeting was just about to start as I arrived but made it on time! The agenda as usual was fierce and it included the Community Health Partnership's development plan which is a huge body of work and is an excellent piece of work, if you have time have a look at it. The equality plan was also discussed and the need for a plan and information on the equality of service delivery and this was agreed.

After this it was back to working for my constituents and trying to chase up enquiries that were outstanding. I did not get home around sixish, partly due to a stray staffie outside the office window and having to wait for the dog warden to come and rescue him, hope he found his family! As it is my mum's birthday I running straight back out the door to go see her and see if we can take her out for dinner!

Happy Birthday Mum, hope you had a good day! Here is hoping tomorrow is a little more relaxing!

SNP HYPOCRISY

SALMOND AND DEBATING

I have been watching Question Time for about ten minutes and it is never clearer than now that the SNP have been packing EVERY public meeting that they can. Salmond's debating skills have not improved any, his skill is in smug and self serving comments, interupting others and shouting people down, it is unfortunate that this is something that the SNP locally in Renfrewshire think is a worthwhile skill!

Green Policies but the SNP leader thinks that the road taxing is the same as a poll tax! Thinks that this is a 'daft proposal' even though he called for the introduction of the Road charging in the Westminster Parliament in 1998 (Nicol Stephen on the programme). To be honest I was not impressed he kind of just went for the I know what ever I say I am going to get a cheer so why bother mode tonight, although watch this space for his press release 'The Scottish People are behind me'!!

It is worth noting though that the SNP leader's attendance at votes in the Westminster Parliament, have a look at his record through theyworkforyou.com, according to this it is around 28% across the 3 periods given (although between 1997-2001 it was around 16%), it is strange that someone with let's be honest such a poor attendance record at the Parliament would want to keep it on if he is elected in May, the question then has to be, would his attendance be any better at the Scottish Parliament?

SSP HYPOCRISY AND LIES

FRANCES CURRAN AND EXPENSES

Watching Newsnight Scotland last night it struck me the hypocrisy and lies that the SSP are willing to try and sell the electorate, Frances Curran of the SSP was interviewed about the expenses claims of MSPs. It may surprise some of you that I am NOT writing about the expenses claims themselves, I am not concerned with the way that the SSP and Solidarity allegedly pay their staff that costs more than others at the Parliament, I am concerned with the lies that have been perpetrated by both Ms Curran and Ms Kane (in the past).

The SSP MSPs take their ENTIRE allowance, they are given it, they take it, what they do with it after it is given to them is donate half of it to their political party, this effectively means (as pointed out last night) that a party that less than 5% of the West of Scotland population voted for is using public money to not only keep itself in business (so to speak) but, it is using it to fight the elections.

Their claim that they only take £25,000 is misleading (and that is being kind), it is not a new tactic of the SSP to suggest this, in the last elections my opponent Mr Hogg did the same thing, suggestions were made that he gave his special responsibility allowance to a charity, what it didn't say was that he was the chairperson of the organisation and set the organisation up! The hypocrisy of the SSP shows no end, Ms Kane tried to suggest that she didn't take the full amount of her allowance on Question Time some time back and the audience called her on it, since then the media have been pretty quiet about it.

JIM SHARKEY FOR

PAISLEY EAST AND RALSTON

Many of the readers of this blog may already know Jim Sharkey as he is currently involved with the Ralston Community Council. He is an active member of the Ralston Community and the Paisley North CLP, he presently works for a Local Authority and has been a key player in enhancing the knowledge and understanding of the Single Transferable Vote system to be used in the May Elections. As the information on my updated profile shows he is my running mate for the Paisley East and Ralston seat in the election in May.

Jim currently works as a researcher for a local council and lives in Ralston with his wife, two children. He is secretary of Ralston Community Council and has previously served as a local authority councillor. Jim is committed to delivering peaceful neighbourhoods, improving standards in housing, roads and education.

COUNCILLOR RAYLEEN KELLY

WEAVERS LINN RESPITE

(Photo courtesy of Renfrewshire Council website)

The Weavers Linn Respite Centre was opened this morning and I was lucky enough to be invited along for the guided tour, the winner of the competition to name the centre was present and there are a few residents using the facility at the moment. I could go on and on at great length about what a fantastic resource this is but the parents and clients do this for me. One of the parents present this morning was asking if we would take them in as well so delighted was she with the facility.

The rooms are spacious and beautifully decorated and the three living rooms are fantastic. The garden is lovely and enclosed so it is private and the staff are excellent, on speaking with some of the clients using the service they are delighted with it.

Renfrewshire Council are one of the few Scottish Council's who have taken the respite service into local control and invested positively in it's future, despite some scare mongering by some pretty nasty people at first the centre fits in well with it's surrounding community and the links for transport and shopping are excellent.

I know that this will be a success, partly because it already is but also because the community and the clients are behind it. These are the accomplishments that people don't really hear about unless they are using the service. The Council's Deputy Leader and Convenor for Community and Family Care Cllr Tommy Williams was also present this morning and was delighted with the response from the residents and their families.

It shows this Labour Administration's commitment to the carers and their families that we offer this first rate service, and we hope to continue to provide this in the future.

NATIONALISTS PACKING QUESTION TIME

FREESCOTS?

A short time ago I was accused of being paranoid because I accused the nationalists of packing the meeting between Niclola Sturgeon and Wendy Alexander. Some suggested the Labour Party do the same, I have been unable to find evidence of this but I have found evidence of the Nationalists at least attempting to do this check out the following post I found on an independence forum ...

Question Time next week

Author: Robin Day

Date: 16-02-07 21:33

Alex Salmond is appearing on Question Time Next Thursday evening (22nd) in Edinburgh. With the election looming it is especially important we can get a favourable audience.Below is the number and url to call to apply for tickets.

Question Time Ticket No: 01299 829 003

Online:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/question_time/1858613.stm

I wonder why though, the SNP never tire of telling us how wonderful a debater and all round perfect person Salmond is so why are they so scared of having a representative audience? Answers on a postcard!

SNP MISSING IN ACTION

SEEDHILL PLAYING FIELDS

I would have more respect for the Local SNP candidates if they had expressed their opinion on this matter all along, as it is they are coming late to this issue. Despite the plans for the sale of the land at Seedhill Playing fields being on the Community and Family Care agenda in February of 2005, and the papers being distributed to EVERY councillor in the council PRIOR to the meeting, the SNP (Cllr C Lawson and B Lawson) did not start talking about this issue until the middle of 2006.

Just so people in Hawkhead, Whitehaugh, Seedhill and Ralston are aware, the SNP have representatives on this board, one of which is Cllr MacKay the leader of the SNP in Renfrewshire and a campaign supporter of the Friends of Seedhill Playing Fields. Cllr MacKay knew of these plans in February, if he didn't he was not reading the papers for the meeting which he attended.

You will note from the paper (click on the title above) there were no amendments at this point. Only over a year later did this become an issue, why? Could it be that Cllr's Lawson's constituents highlighted this to them? Or is that they didn't notice it until a year later? Or maybe that they didn't care until someone pointed out to them that they could make political hay out of the issue?

The incompetence of the SNP locally has to be exposed, I don't like being negative but no one else seems to point this out! It is certainly not something that will appear in their election leaflets.

If you see them on the campaign trail ask them, why they missed this?

COUNCILLOR RAYLEEN KELLY

GRAFFITI

(Graphic courtesy of Renfrewshire Council's website)

I have spoken today to the Community Police for the area and asked them about the progress in apprehending those who are creating the mess, they have advised that they have managed to identify a number of those responsible and have taken the appropriate steps to sanction them.

In the meantime the best thing that the Council and private landholders can do is where ever there is graffiti remove it as soon as possible, this firstly creates a nicer environment for all of us to live in and secondly it allows the police to identify the new graffiti, the tags and the person creating the problem.

Thanks to the hard work of Williamsburgh Housing Association, the Community Police, the Council and some of the businesses in the area a lot of the graffiti is removed as soon as possible after it is reported, I would like to thank the people who are reporting it firstly, but the businesses involved because it can be very expensive and they are contributing to the community by their actions, so thank you on behalf of the residents of Seedhill, keep up the good work, together we can make a difference.

If you see graffiti on Council property please report it to ...

The Graffiti Hit Squad 0800 389 8623

You can also report it online by following this link

COUNCILLOR RAYLEEN KELLY

WORKING TOGETHER

I have been contacted of late by quite a few constituents regarding anti social behaviour and litter around the Grammar school at lunch times. I want to point out that the majority of the pupils in Paisley Grammar are a credit to the school in their behaviour, however, there is a small element that has been causing distress to some of the residents in the area.

Williamsburgh Housing Association, the community police, the Council's ASIST team, and the School have been working hard to combat the problem and although there are still issues existing the joint working is having an effect. I have taken steps to combat the litter problems and will continue to work with the relevant agencies in order to address the issues highlighted.

If you have local issues that you wish to raise with me please do not hesitate to contact me, via the Renfrewshire Council website

COUNCILLOR RAYLEEN KELLY

DISABLED PARKING BAYS

I have written on this blog before about this issue but, this is more of a local perspective. I am writing out to all of my constituents in McKerrell Street within the next few weeks to ask them to help ensure that the disabled parking bays are used only by those with a disabled badge.

I know that it can be difficult to park in Seedhill, and the surrounding area, especially during the day but, the disabled bays are there for a reason and some people have unfortunately been parking in these spots.

Remember if you don't have a blue badge don't park there, this equally applies to all other disabled spaces in Supermarkets and up the town as well.

Thanks for your help.

Check out the new poll on the right hand side of the page for your say.

NEW FUNCTIONALITY

ONLINE POLLING

Now that I have kind of got the hang of this blogging stuff (although bit disappointed that the mobile blogging doesn't seem to be available to UK users yet, would be very useful during the campaign!) I thought that I would have a look and see what additional functionality can be added to the service, and low and behold I can use a free poll service.

I thought it might be worth giving it a try and so I have added one for this week, I have chosen a frivolous question, with no political undertones for a starter, have a go and let me know what you think.

COUNCILLOR RAYLEEN KELLY

FOSTER CARERS IN RENFREWSHIRE

In the Herald's Society pages today you will find an article on the new payments scheme for Foster Carers in Renfrewshire. I have written an article on my previous website about the level of pride that Renfrewshire Council has in it's Foster Carers and how important they are not just to the council but mostly to the children they look after.

The article highlights that Renfrewshire Council are having an information and open night in the Paisley Town Hall on February the 22nd between 7pm and 9pm and all are welcome some of the council's carers will be at the open evening to discuss their experiences and offer help and advice. Senior Social Worker Rosemary Morgan is quoted as saying ...

'We appreciate our foster carers, and are paying carers sufficient to meet the children's needs rather than them having to ask for additional discretionary payments.'

At a political level the feeling is just as strong, Cllr Tommy Williams the Labour Convener for Community and Family Care Policy Board has been instrumental in the developments in the service and is among the first to thank and congratulate the foster carers for their work and continued dedication to the children of Renfrewshire.

In order to be a foster carer you have to be at least 21 years old, can be single or married and do not need to own your own home or have a job, Renfrewshire Council is keen to stress that children have many different needs and so it fits that a wide range of carers will be needed.

SELECTIONS

PAISLEY EAST AND RALSTON

Tonight was the selection for the candidates for the Paisley East and Ralston ward, as I have previously pointed out this is the new ward which Seedhill (my current ward) will fit into, and I am pleased to say that I have been reselected to stand in this ward.

Joining me to make up the Labour team for this ward is Mr Jim Sharkey an experienced community campaigner and extremely hard worker, you will see more of the campaign on this blog in the days to come but for the moment I wanted to thank all of the members who braved the weather to come to the selection meeting and who have put their trust in both Jim and myself, we will not let you down.

ECONOMICS

DIFFERING VIEWS

As shown through the previous articles on here there are major debates in politics about the economic record of differing administrations and those who are hoping to make up the next administration. So I thought that it would be an idea to dedicate a series of posts to the issue. I have already done a bit of this on the previous posts regarding a Scotland on Sunday article last week, although mainly in the comments section so this week thought that I would concentrate on the SNP Economics.

This week there was a story in the Scotsman regarding the £4.5 Billion black hole in their financial plans for Scotland, I would not recommend anyone wanting a greater understanding of the issues to simply rely on one source, but, unfortunately for the SNP they don't need to.

According to a similar article in the Guardian newspaper on the 21st of January this year there are serious concerns over the SNP's economic plans. In the Scotsman newspaper Professor Midwinter suggests that there would be a £4.5 Billion pound deficit in the plans, in the final paragraph of the analysis he concludes that the SNP will have to raise taxes, cut spending or borrow heavily to tackle the deficit and meet their pre election commitments.

A lot of the analysis is based on the difference in how the figures are calculated, where the other parties use the Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland (GERS) figures the SNP have suggested these figures are wrong, yet are using them where they feel they can help their economic case. An article in the Times newspaper similarly highlighted that leading SNP economists have concluded that the GERS figures are extremely robust

It is true that some say it is £11 billion, some say £6 billion and one Professor Midwinter even says £4 Billion the last one takes into account the Oil revenues and this is why Professor Winter comes to his final conclusion that the sums simply do not add up.

The Times Article is an interesting analysis of the issues involved, it shows the figures in plain English and in doing so highlights that the Estimated Scottish Public Spending was £47.6 Billion in 2004-2005, the taxation income was £36.4 Billion leaving the gap of £11.2 Billion, this is not including the oil revenue. When taking into account the oil revenue (ALL OF IT not a percentage as suggested by the SNP) of £5.2 Billion you are still looking at a £6 Billion pound deficit.

Although it is true that the Oil prices of late have been rising, it is similarly true that the market price for oil is very volatile and is rarely steady for a prolonged period of time. It also might be worth examining the green credentials of a party that suggests that they would be basing the whole economy on a damaging and scarce fuel source, reducing the oil consumption of Scotland while relying on the increasing consumption of other nations in order to bring in the money is a strange and contradictory position. As we all know global warming is not just a Scottish problem, it affects the whole planet and this needs to be kept in mind in every area of policy it needs to be sustainable, this is where I believe the SNP's economic policies fall down.

Putting this into a local context it does put the SNP plans to freeze Council tax for the next two years into a different light, it resoundingly gives backup to the suggestion that the reason the SNP in Renfrewshire did not put forward a budget was that they could not stick to this commitment. A more interesting question has to be IF the SNP make up the Executive after May the 3rd will they be able to stick to it then keeping the above in mind? And what does that mean for Scotland in the long term economically speaking?

PROVOSTS COMMUNITY AWARDS 2007

EXCELLENT NIGHT

Last night was the Annual Provost's Community Awards in Renfrewshire, the categories include carer, special needs child, and community activist and an excellent time was had by all. The Paisley Grammar School Ceilidh band played for the entertainment during dinner and were excellent, and the food was fab.

All of the nominees are given a keepsake of the evening and are announced on a video explaining their achievements and who nominated them, it is always an excellent night and the important people in the room are not the elected Councillor's it is the members of the community who have been nominated and those who have nominated.

Personally I wanted to thank the staff involved in running the evening, in preparing the food, in composing the video and in whittling down the list of nominees to the three for each award attending on the night.

I know it is a bit corny but it is true, there are no losers in this process everyone of the nominees inspires you and makes you feel humble, they make you want to get out there and do something in your community, I just wish that the night was on TV to let people in Scotland see the calibre of people in Renfrewshire.

THE GYM

ONCE MORE INTO THE FRAY

I didn't realise until my return yesterday that I had not been to the gym since October!! I joined thinking that I could loose a bit of weight, get healthy you know the usual, but had no idea how difficult it actually was.

Now I don't want to put any of you none gym users off but, it is hard work, I must admit that I am seriously unfit and overweight, I have been for quite some while but, I am trying to do something about it. To the extent that I called my mum (my gym buddy, apparently it is much easier to stick to it if you have someone to go with) and asked if she wanted to go this afternoon as well. My arms, legs and well whole body is beginning to feel it but in a good way, you feel energised and I feel it is easier for me to eat healthy knowing that I am exercising as well.

I think that it is obvious that I am so not one of those people who goes on at length about how low their heart rate is, how high their lung capacity is or how many times they go the gym in a week I write this simply to say, if you live in Renfrewshire and are thinking that you can't go because you are too fat and everyone at the gym will be skinny minnies don't let that stop you, if I can do it so can you. Or try the Jogging buddies, they are a good way to get fit as well, try embracing the healthy living agenda, remember it starts at home.

PREVIOUS COMMENTS

RIGHT TO REPLY

As far as possible I will try and give commenter's a fair go on this blog, I will enter into debate, but, I implore those commenting to steer away from the mile long diatribe! Check out the previous post comments for an indication of what I mean, the comment from Right for Scotland at the end asks if the previous posts, in terms of the VERY LONG ones can be put into a separate article, the answer? Yes, it will take a while though because I am really busy at the moment and Shotgun has left an equally (if not increasingly) long comment in response to my last response, I hope to answer ALL the questions raised in an article real soon, maybe I will have time over the weekend, stay tuned for more info.

SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY

GERALD WARNER

On reading the Scotland on Sunday today I noticed a rather obnoxious article by the 'journalist' above, and thought that I would do my own research to find out if he was real, or if he was a joke column. Turns out that he is real! Bit scary I know anyone reading his materials has to think that the man is seriously out of touch with reality.

The comments that politician means 'scum' was not just offensive but a little scary, this guy is one of two things a failed political candidate or someone who never had the courage of his convictions to stand up and get involved. I personally would link him to the first, his suggestion that the Labour Government has 'maimed the most successful evolved constitution on the earth', so evolved is our constitution that it no one ever bothered to write it down! He similarly suggests that Margaret Thatcher was there for a purpose, what purpose I hear you ask, to kill the spirit of hard working British Citizens?

No apparently that was a bonus, her purpose was 'to implement a historic and ultimately global agenda' Her purpose was to raise unemployment, destroy our national industries and impose the Poll Tax on the people of Scotland, all with the help of the SNP in Westminster.

The author was right about one thing, the difference between Thatcher and the Labour Government could not be starker, while the Labour Government helps it's citizens, presides over the greatest level of economic growth in a generation, the lowest unemployment rate in a generation, a renewed and better NHS and better educational opportunities for everyone to name but a few differences, Thatcher and her pals destroyed our national identity, our national industries and decimated the hopes and dreams of millions of Scots not to mention decimating local government finance.

COUNCILLOR RAYLEEN KELLY

PAISLEY GRAMMAR

As it was well publicised I thought that I would wait to write my own article on it. As the Local Councillor for the Paisley Grammar I was not surprised by the glowing report from the HMIE, the main points highlighted on the Renfrewshire Council website include the effective partnership of the School board and the PTA. Obviously I have attended meetings of both groups and I can testify to the good working relationship between the two, they also have an excellent relationship with the Head Teacher Ms Amos and both her leadership, her teams efforts and the effort of her predecessor John have been recognised in this report.

Although at the time I am told there was significant opposition to housing a behavioural unit in the Grammar, the high quality of support for pupils with additional support needs has been praised in this report and I am delighted that Renfrewshire Council were so forward thinking in their plans for those pupils with additional support needs.

The report also pointed out that the fabric of the building does need upgrading and this is already being addressed by the £2.5 Million investment over the next three years, remember it is the Labour Administration that put forward, supported and voted for this investment and I am proud to part of this administration.

COUNCILLOR RAYLEEN KELLY

MULTI MEMBER WARDS

I thought that I would update my blog with more information for constituents on the new multi member wards for the upcoming election. If you want to know which new ward you belong to click on the title above and put in the relevant details. When you have done this a new window comes up detailing the ward you belong to at present, the new multi member ward and the details of your elected representatives.

Try it out for yourself.

LIB DEM BUDGET

3 WARD BUDGET?

The Liberals on Renfrewshire Council (three members) have often been accused of putting forward a 'three ward budget' covering the issues only in their own wards, would today be the day they changed?

Give them their due they did actually do a lot of work and present a budget (more than can be said for the SNP) although the content did not deserve very much praise. I don't think that it is reasonable to suggest that programmes aimed at helping the most vulnerable in our society should be cut, and stopped in some cases, it turns out that the Liberals do. Among their cuts are ...

Reduction in music and inclusion services
Cutting the Parenting Project (RAMPS)
Axing 12 homelink workers
Discontinuing the Sports Development Service
Axing 5 business support officers for schools
'Procurement efficiencies in Adult supported living provision'

The majority of the above are fairly self explanatory and on one page alone I counted the axing of 19 jobs, that is only the jobs they have specified! The main issue is that they are targeting the education, support and health of some of the most vulnerable in our community, the children.

Cutting inclusion services? Cutting the Home School Link workers? The home school link is extremely well thought of and has won national awards yet the Liberals want to strip the service. They did want to spend £100,000 on youth sports activities yet they are scrapping the sports development service, it doesn't quite add up does it?

COUNCILLOR RAYLEEN KELLY

SATURDAY SURGERY

OK it turns out that the Paisley Daily Express made a wee mistake and did not print the notice for the Saturday surgeries happening tomorrow morning, mine being among them, so just in case there is a surgery tomorrow morning between 10am and 12pm in Paisley Grammar.

RIGHT FOR RENFREWSHIRE

BUDGET DAY

There were a few things that I wanted to highlight regarding the meeting that has just finished, discussing the budget process. The Labour Group have spent the last nine months discussing the budget and setting our priorities, we produced a well thought out budget, the SNP put up three amendments which did not total EVEN the length of a page of A4.

The SNP wanted to wait! The reason? Because they know that they cannot formulate a better budget than the one presented, their suggestion go back and ask for more money, no position on what to do with the money we have been given. Opposition members suggested that the SNP would not be able to balance the budget without making cuts, and Cllr Harkins Leader of the Council pointed out that the SNP were abdicating their responsibility.

Cllr Kenny on the summing up of his presentation pointed out that the SNP nationally are suggesting that if elected that they will freeze Council tax for two years, if this is true, why did the SNP not prove it by formulating a budget on this basis and presenting it today?

Cllr Kenny also pointed to the upgrade of the Lagoon Lesiure Centre, the biggest ever investment in our schools and the new Elderly Care homes as the Labour Administrations strongest achievements.

Cllr Tommy Williams Deputy Leader of the Council comended the budget and pointed out that as a Council...

'we are nothing without the people who deliver the service.'

That the Council had a reputation second to none in Scotland, and that the Council is leading the way in Social Work opening the three new care homes but also the respite care unit in Glenburn which will be opened soon.

OK to the Important bit, the Council tax rise this year will be a below inflation rise of 1.9% and the rent increase will be 2.5%. The Liberals suggested 2.5% for the Council tax and as stated above the SNP didn't make a suggestion, for rents the SNP suggested using more of the working balances and increasing rents 2%. This means an increase of £22 per year, for this projects such as New Town Centre wardens, upgrades to the Paisley Town Hall, Renfrew and Johnstone Town Centre improvements, and upgrading of the Glenburn and Hunterhill community centres. Anyone wanting the full details of the budget should contact their local Councillor.

COUNCILLOR RAYLEEN KELLY

FULL COUNCIL

Apart from the spat outlined below, the Full Council meeting today was pretty uneventful. On the agenda item on Scottish Water, Cllr McKay advised that more money needed to be invested in Scottish Water -lets see if that is in the Local or National SNP Budget plans?- they suggested that the storms which hit the UK as a whole were badly handled by Scottish Water, it was pointed out that more investment would be excellent but that the storms were severe and affected the whole Country, had the storms that hit this year hit Renfrewshire ten years ago before the Labour Controlled council invested in the Flood Prevention works, there is no doubt that Thousands of people would have been put out of their homes. As it was only a handful of people were unable to stay at home, during storm conditions which are said to happen only once in every eighty years.

We do need to improve the investment in Scottish Water, we also need to look at the issues that arose from the recent flooding, and the Labour amendment covered these issues, I am proud to be part of a group which takes these issues so seriously maybe part of the problem is that the Labour Group have not been blowing their own trumpet, well check in here for future information on our achievements.