PDE Column, 24th November 2008 – Day Care Posts Cut, Local Policing, Home Repossessions, Paisley Vision and Accord Christmas Trees

Day Care Posts Cut – Pensioners Losing out again

I visited Kilallan Day Care Centre and met with some of the pensioners angered and very disappointed at the closure of the centre. I condemn these plans to close Kilallan. The Council plans to save £324,227 by cutting 8 posts. Day care officers, Day Care Coordinators, Centre Managers and Escort Attendants will all go.

The SNP in Renfrewshire have already done enough to victimise our elderly – this year introducing the community alarm charges, forcing new charges to attend day care centre and now closing the centre serving Linwood pensioners and cutting the jobs dedicated for caring for our elderly.

The community in Renfrewshire care about our elderly and they should not be hit again so I ask the Council to think again.

Better Local Policing

Many of us have been lobbying for more of our police to be out and about in our local communities. I am pleased to learn of a new approach being rolled out locally.

Over this winter the number of dedicated Community Police Officers in Renfrewshire is rising from 49 to 65 and all these officers are being assigned to a specific local ward area. The new arrangements began to come into operation in October and will be fully implemented by the spring.

I have discussed these plans with local Divisional Commander Harkin and I am delighted that in future there will be a particular focus on the streets on Friday and Saturday evenings from 9pm-2am where there is often a need for a quick response to local trouble/disorder.

These dedicated Community officers will have an immediate, visible and positive impact on our communities I urge people to make use of the local police team to ensure we all benefit from safer communities.

Home Repossessions – Action needed as soon as possible

The Scottish Government last week announced that they would back the one part of Labour’s three-point plan to tackle repossessions by introducing a support package for homeowners in trouble.

I welcome these measures by the Scottish Government to help support homeowners however the three month roll out period could be quicker and action is still needed on pre-court protocols and licensing of those involved in sale and rent-back deals.  Action on pre-court protocols is needed urgently to ensure that homeowners in Scotland have the same protection as homeowners in England and Wales. Also I’d like to see a proper licensing scheme for those involved in sale and rent-back deals.

I hope that the Scottish government gets this scheme up and running as soon as possible. This is a step forward but only one part of the package that is vital to protect homeowners in Scotland.

ROCCO Awards & Paisley Vision

I was delighted to attend the Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce Business Awards earlier this month. A thoroughly enjoyable evening but more importantly it reflected that so far business in Renfrewshire is bearing up well in these tough times. We all hope that continues.

No one in Paisley could fail to be encouraged and uplifted by the Christmas events held over the day last Saturday. With Pipe Bands playing, Santa’s arrival and the inevitable rush of excited young families’ queuing to visit him in his Magical Grotto, Paisley was filled with fun and expectation. Later in the day the concert from Sandi Thom and young Mr Jackson (Leon rather than Michael) and the climax watched by thousands of the Christmas Lights switch on and Fireworks was excellent. Congratulations to all involved.

Kibble’s ACCORD Christmas Trees

I was delighted to learn of Kibble’s festive season idea to help raise funds for ACCORD hospice. Fresh, high quality Scottish grown Christmas trees can be ordered through a website www.caringchristmastress.com, clicking on Paisley Kibble, to order a tree of your choice of size and collection time – even delivery is possible. All is at a competitive price but at the same time there is the added pleasure of adding to the funds of the excellent ACCORD cause.
My order is in and I urge all Buddies who usually buy fresh Christmas trees to consider supporting this project.