Latest news with #AndyDoig
Daily Record
23-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Renfrewshire Council prepares funding bids which could unlock regeneration of Lochwinnoch
Officials will submit applications to Historic Environment Scotland and National Lottery for ambitious 'Cornerstones Project'. Renfrewshire Council is preparing funding bids which could unlock a significant regeneration of the centre of Lochwinnoch through investment in its heritage and promotion of its history. Senior officials will submit applications for finance to Historic Environment Scotland and National Lottery for an ambitious 'Cornerstones Project' after they were given the green light by elected members. The move was approved by councillors at a meeting of the local authority's economy and regeneration policy board on Tuesday morning. A report, which was discussed at the summit, explained: "The centre of Lochwinnoch was developed in the 18th century as a planned expansion of the older village, organised around three primary axes. "Cornerstones seeks to revitalise Lochwinnoch's streetscape and economy by focusing investment within the conservation area where these axes meet. "Repair grants will help preserve Lochwinnoch's historic built environment; a parallel programme of community engagement activities will emphasise the value of the village's heritage, raise awareness of its unique history, and develop local expertise around traditional building skills." The scheme area encompasses the central section of the Main Street/High Street axis and its junction with the Calder Street/Church Street axis; the southeast section of the Calder Street/Church Street axis as far as the south corner of Harvey Square; and the southwest section of the Harvey Terrace/Gates Road axis which terminates with Lochwinnoch Parish Church on Church Street. The deadline for submitting applications for the initial development phase is August 6. If they are successful, this year-long phase will start in June 2026 and conclude in May 2027 with the submission of delivery phase applications to both funders. If those latter applications are successful, it is anticipated the full Cornerstones Project would run from April 2028 for five years. Councillor Andy Doig, an independent representative for Lochwinnoch, said: "When it's something like this which deals with heritage, you want to really take villages along with you. "I think that takes a wee bit longer to get groups in place for the proper liaison to take place as is an excellent paper, it really is. "I'm delighted that the officers have realised that there is life outside Paisley in a heritage sense. It would be a massive boost for the conservation area in Lochwinnoch." The veteran politician added: "It's an excellent piece of work here and everybody, I think, would be hoping we get this funding."
Daily Record
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Return of popular Johnstone Fire Engine Rally could be on the cards amid councillor's plea
Councillor Andy Doig issued a call to reinstate the popular parade of the vintage engines at last week's full council meeting. A return of the much-loved Johnstone Fire Engine Rally could be on the cards as Renfrewshire Council develops a calendar of cultural events for its town centres. Councillor Andy Doig delivered a plea to reinstate the popular parade of the vintage engines from the fire station to Houstoun Square at last week's full council meeting. The independent politician received the unanimous support of elected members in the chambers for his motion on Thursday. The call was issued amid a suggestion the hot topic may already be under consideration by the local authority as part of a £150,000 budget investment. Councillor Doig, an independent representative for Johnstone North and the surrounding villages, explained why he is so eager to see the re-emergence of the rally which ran in the town from 2014 until 2019. He told the Paisley Daily Express: "I wanted to make it clear there was a feeling among the community and among the traders that it would be a good thing to bring it back. "For a number of years, right up until Covid, it was an extremely successful event because what they did was the fire tenders would meet at the fire station in Johnstone and they would come down to Houstoun Square. "It was a big event and people could see them coming down then go to the square. "It was magic. There would always be a bit of a buzz about the place and the traders would really benefit. Youngsters would have the opportunity to climb on board the various emergency vehicles and see how they had transformed over the years. Councillor Doig added: "It was a great event for families because the kids loved it. It was always very popular with the children of Johnstone." The veteran politician's motion, which was agreed at the meeting without a hitch, asked the local authority to recognise the "success and popularity" of the rally for both retailers and the community alike in the past. It added: "Council instructs the council's events team to liaise with the Fire Brigades Union and calls for the reinstatement of the Johnstone Fire Engine Rally as soon as possible."
Daily Record
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Community councils need education on rules they are operating under, says councillor
Councillor Andy Doig believes recent events suggest certain aspects of the regulations are not widely understood. Community council members in Renfrewshire need greater education on the rules under which the groups are operating, a veteran politician has admitted. Councillor Andy Doig, an independent representative for Johnstone North and the surrounding villages, believes recent events suggest certain aspects of the regulations are not widely understood. Reflecting on sagas in Renfrew and Ferguslie, the elected member is concerned there is a "lack of knowledge" over the ins and outs of a rulebook known as the scheme for the establishment of community councils. In particular, he has pointed to the directive that the bodies should be non-party political – insisting they should instead focus on "civic issues" within their communities. Councillor Doig said: "I want to say at the outset that the vast majority of community councils operate really well. There are some community councils within my own ward that are first class, they're excellent. "They're committed to the community, they're full of volunteers who have expertise in other fields of life, other professions, that they bring to the table and they work effectively for their communities. "But I think it's clear from recent events in Renfrew and Ferguslie there seems to be a lack of knowledge about the fact that community councils themselves are meant to be very strictly non-party political. "When they start to enter into the realm of making political commentary or trying to promote or push certain political lines, they're really acting ultra vires and outwith their capacity. "They're actually breaching the laws under which community councils are established." It comes following the brief suspension of Renfrew Community Council earlier this year after it landed itself in hot water over a series of comments from members on social media. In addition to that episode, a former chair of Ferguslie Community Council resigned after taking aim at Renfrewshire Council and its administration on Facebook. Asked if there was a need for greater education on the rules, Councillor Doig responded: "Absolutely, I think that community council members should be made aware at all times that they should be acting in a non-political way. "Their purpose is not to talk about the politics of the day, it's really to focus on civic issues in their own community." The scheme, which is currently under review, could feature a more robust complaints process once a revised version is eventually agreed. Councillor Doig believes this job should be officer-led as opposed to the suggestion of a panel of members drawn from other community councils. He added: "We oversee them, therefore, if there's any issues, it's only correct and proper it's council officers who should set up procedures to deal with them. "I don't think it's fair to expect a neighbouring community council to investigate issues within a community council in any given location. I don't think that's the way forward."
Glasgow Times
22-04-2025
- General
- Glasgow Times
Calls made for safety measures to be installed on Kilbarchan street
Church Street has become a "hazard" in recent years due to large trucks using the route despite it "not being suitable" for such vehicles. This is according to Councillor Andy Doig, who claims the issue has been ongoing for a number of years. Councillor Andy Doig pictured on Church Street in Kilbarchan, where residents have raised concerns about HGV traffic using the narrow street. (Image: Colin Mearns) The Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, Howwood and Lochwinnoch councillor believes the lack of a sign is a "disaster waiting to happen". He said: "This is a situation that has been ongoing for a number of years. "It is simply not a route that trucks the size of the HGVs should be travelling on due to the potential risks attached. "Church Street is in the middle of a residential area, it is a real hazard to have vehicles of this size driving on this road. "I am worried about the potential disasters that could occur if this is allowed to continue." READ MORE: Celtic star pays tribute to Pope Francis following his death The introduction of a 'No HGVs' sign would follow similar measures put in place by Renfrewshire Council in Howwood. Councillor Doig insists it is "common sense" for the local authority to install the measure. He continued: "This is causing immense disruption and also poses a danger to residents. "The HGVs are causing traffic congestion and disrupting the daily lives of locals. "Both drivers of these vehicles and residents are having their safety put at risk needlessly." A Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: 'We are currently procuring signage to be installed at locations on the approach to Church Street that will advise that the road is not suitable for HGVs.'
