Latest news with #ColinMearns
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Council gives green light to plans for credit union near Glasgow
The proposal, which will see the service open in Barrhead, was given the green light at a meeting of East Renfrewshire Council's (ERC) Cabinet this morning (May 29). The local authority said the decision follows a long-standing commitment to reinstate a credit union in the area, which had been further strengthened with the closure of the last remaining bank in Barrhead on May 21. The bank also served the broader communities of Neilston and Uplawmoor, and a further bank closure in Newton Mearns was also announced in March. The last bank in Barrhead shut this month (Image: Colin Mearns) ERC Leader, Councillor Owen O'Donnell said: ''I am delighted that this proposal has been approved. "The reintroduction of a credit union in East Renfrewshire was one of my Administration's election manifesto commitments and I am pleased that we are able to deliver on this for residents. 'Although we still have much work to do, in particular in securing a permanent location, I am confident that along with our partners in Pollok Credit Union, East Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau, Barrhead Housing Association, Voluntary Action East Renfrewshire and along with our council colleagues in money advice and rights and housing we will be able to deliver more than just a credit union and provide additional vital support services to members.' READ NEXT: Mum raises concerns about battery storage facility The proposal gives the council the go ahead to work in partnership with Pollok Credit Union Ltd and other community planning partners to re-establish a credit union presence in East Renfrewshire, and provide up to £200,000 of council resource as seed-funding to support the branch until it can cover its costs. On this basis, the credit union would provide a local shop-front branch in Barrhead, open at least three days a week, as well as online and telephone provision and future development of outreach provision across wider areas of East Renfrewshire. Credit unions are not-for-profit savings organisations and members pool their savings to provide each other with credit at a low interest rate. The Pioneer Mutual Credit Union on Main Street closed in 2021 (Image: Newsquest) East Renfrewshire has been without a local service of this kind since the demise of the Barrhead-based Pioneer Mutual Credit Union in 2021, which had 3,500 members at the time of closure. READ NEXT: Residents in 1,500 homes to be left without water 'Having access to in-person financial services, such as a bank or credit union, is critical for many people in our communities,' added Councillor O'Donnell. 'Not everyone has internet access, the confidence to use it, or the means to travel out of the authority, so with the closure of the last bank presence in Barrhead, the need has never been greater. 'We are committed to helping our communities thrive and we can now move forward with our plans and work with our partners to bring back a credit union to East Renfrewshire.'
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Glasgow Times
We are at wits end with tragic parking in this Glasgow area
They criticised RingGo - the firm handling parking permits on behalf of the council - and the local authority's parking policy for being complicated and unfair. Rhona Mackinnon had to write off her car in early April and added her new vehicle to the mobile app to continue using her resident's permit. However, after 21 days, the program reverted to the old car without notice and she was fined. Since then, she claims she has been unable to get help from the company or Glasgow City Council and she is fearful she could get more penalties. Rhona Mackinnon and Victoria Ulph, Glasgow (Image: Colin Mearns) (Image: Colin Mearns) Rhona Mackinnon (Image: Colin Mearns) READ NEXT: Glasgow West End shop owners' anger over parking charge hike She said: "I asked them to prolong the car that I have now. RingGo said: 'You need to speak to Glasgow City Council', the council said: 'You need to speak to RingGo'. "It just doesn't allow me to add it to resident parking for whatever reason. "Now, my car is out there and I could quite easily get a ticket anytime. "When I'm working from home, I'm constantly on edge, I'm looking out the window. "I'm at my wits end, they just make it as difficult as possible. "It's an unnecessary stress that I shouldn't have to deal with. I should be able to park outside my front door. "It's literally affecting my quality of life." (Image: Colin Mearns) Victoria Ulph (Image: Colin Mearns) (Image: Colin Mearns) Her neighbour, Victoria Ulph, agreed as she explained her issue with visitor vouchers. This is a document where her guests need to log their visiting times to be able to park in front of her home. All residents are entitled to five booklets, containing five vouchers. This restricts friends and family members to 25 visits a year, all within an allocated time slot. She explained: "This means I have to say to my 85-year-old parents that there is a maximum 25 visits per year. "I asked and they said they can't give me any more. That's the limit. There's no rhyme or reason to this. "One time, my parents were five minutes late. Coming down the stairs, they received a ticket which I've had to pay for." She also said the system means that cleaners, babysitters and garden workers cannot park in front of the properties while they work. Also, Glaswegians are less likely to come and use small businesses in the area because of the lack of affordable parking. She added: "It's stopping jobs, business and it's stopping, quite frankly, my right to a family life. "I'm absolutely pig sick of thinking of mum and dad. "Can you imagine the number of people who don't come here to use local shops because of this? It's crazy." "It makes everyone anxious. It's horrible." READ NEXT: Concerns raised about drug use at historic Glasgow site We are at wits end with tragic parking in this Glasgow area (Image: Colin Mearns) Parking warden in Glasgow (Image: Sourced) (Image: Colin Mearns) Parking issues are also frequently raised at North Kelvin Community Council (NKCC) meetings. At the last meeting, Douglas Peacock, chair of NKCC, said: "This has been on the agenda a couple of times. "I have had a real big problem getting my RingGo to work for this year. "The council and the company were telling me different things about when to renew my resident's permit. "It's terrible. So many things don't work, the council has been no use. "On the RingGo site, there was a blank page." An attendee added: "It doesn't work the way it should, it's very annoying." A RingGo spokesperson said they will liaise with Rhona Mackinnon to fix the problem. They added: "We are committed to making parking as simple and stress-free as possible for all users in Glasgow. We take all feedback seriously and are constantly working to improve our service and support. "We work closely with local councils to deliver parking solutions that meet community needs. "It is important to note that some policies, such as visitor voucher limits and parking durations, are set by our local authority partners. We support standardising a ten-minute grace period to ensure fair and consistent treatment for motorists, and welcome government efforts to enforce a unified code of conduct across the industry. "We have a dialogue with North Kelvin Community Council and would encourage council members to share any feedback that can improve our service with us directly." A Glasgow City Council spokesperson said: "The Ringo App allows a vehicle, such as a courtesy car, to be added on a temporary basis. After 21 days, the app will revert to using the original vehicle identified on a permit. "However, further temporary changes lasting up to 21 days at a time can be easily arranged by logging on to permit holder's account on the parking app. "This information has been communicated directly to Ms McKinnon by our staff. "Up to 40 vouchers are available initially and more can be requested as required. A voucher lasts for six hours and more than one voucher can be displayed at a time, which allows for a longer parking stay." Sorry, should have clearer – happy for the info given in relation to Ms McKinnon and the visitor vouchers to be attributed to a council spokesperson.
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Abandoned railway station in Glasgow's Botanic Gardens refuses to die
The abandoned railway station in Glasgow Botanic Gardens. Why do you go there? I find it fascinating that something so big could be so easily hidden and so little-known by people who have lived in the city for years. It's a reminder of Glasgow's hidden underbelly and its all-too-quickly forgotten past. It opened in 1896 as part of the Glasgow Central Railway line. But as passengers gravitated toward cleaner, more convenient street trams, the station closed in 1939. It found new life as a cafe called The Silver Slipper and later the Sgt. Pepper's night club – until a fire gutted it in 1970. Today, only the old platforms remain, overgrown and slowly reclaimed by nature, smothered in weeds, grass and trees. But there's something about the place that refuses to stay hidden. There was an attempt to redevelop the site in the mid-2000s, but local opposition forced Glasgow City Council to scrap the plans. There's something about the place that refuses to die or be forgotten and in this age of cultural impermanence, that's a beautiful thing to me. (Image: Colin Mearns) For me, it also symbolises what great crime fiction does: tells a great story but also reveals the darkness lurking underneath everyday life. How often do you go? Anytime I find myself in the Botanics, I make an excuse to wander off and sneak a peek over the old ventilation shafts. The whole area is sealed off below, but some hardy urban explorers and graffiti artists still find a way down to the platforms. They're braver than I am. Author Andrew Raymond (Image: Andrew Raymond)How did you discover it? I'd walked past it several times before finally stopping to check why there was a big fence hidden away between some trees. I couldn't believe I'd never heard of it before. What's your favourite memory? The first time I found it. I was struck by the idea that Glasgow has so many hidden levels. I knew almost immediately that it had to play a role in the first DCI Lomond book, The Bonnie Dead, because it captures everything the book is about. Who do you take? I only ever go by myself, but I'm looking forward to showing it to my son when he's old enough. What do you take? I always take a few photos – it gets more mysterious every time. What do you leave behind? Nothing. Let's keep the Botanics clean and tidy, people. Sum it up in five words. The past never stays buried. What other travel spot is on your wish list? Iceland. It has always seemed like my kind of place – the brooding skies, bleak beauty and woolly jumpers of home, with the bonus of more volcanoes and fewer midges. The Bonnie Dead by Andrew Raymond (Vinci, £9.99) is published in paperback on June 5
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- Glasgow Times
Inside the redesign of Glasgow's Sauchiehall Street
'Sauchiehall Street's had a bit of flak recently,' it's a statement that comes as no surprise as the Glasgow Times meets Glasgow City Council representatives on the city centre street. Still, it has remained one of the main avenues in the city, stretching over one-and-a-half miles, and is associated with shopping and nightlife, and even features in a few songs. The section between Charing Cross and its connection with Buchanan Street has recently been given a facelift, too. It's part of the £1billion investment funded by the Glasgow City Region City Deal, which includes contributions from both the Scottish and UK Governments. This project is part of the £123million Avenues programme. The Glasgow Times was invited out by the team behind the design of the street as they talked us through the 'new and improved' layout. Inside the redesign of Glasgow's Sauchiehall Street (Image: Colin Mearns)READ MORE: 9 pictures which tell story of famous Glasgow department store Meeting at the brow of the hill, we look down the newly paved road from Rose Street's crossing all the way down to West Nile Street – our focus for this stage of the street's rejuvenation. 'It's unavoidable to admit that it's needed a renovation,' say the representatives. The tail-end of the works is being completed as we wander down through the lush greenery of the 40 new street trees, people fill the impressive 77 new benches, and we talk through the intricacies of the vision for the street. They explain: 'The goal of this program is to introduce greener spaces into the city centre, provide more space for people and pedestrians, spaces to rest, and, where appropriate, segregated cycling infrastructure. 'Sauchiehall Street was already a pedestrianised precinct, which was a key thing to be maintained. 'The design's principle involves treating the central section as a place to gather and rest with greenery and lighting, while the two side flanks form the 'motorways' for pedestrians around the benches and trees.' The benches have been arranged to form 'living room'-like spaces (Image: Colin Mearns) It aims to promote free access between shops and allow people walking and cycling to share the space, with an emphasis on consideration of other users. The trees will form a canopy of shelter over the benches and area, and have been planted with growth in mind, something that was missing from the previous foliage. They explain: 'The trees that were originally on the street were in danger of dying, because they hadn't been planted properly. 'Their roots were coming up through the pavement, and they weren't growing, which was because they weren't planted in 'tree boxes'.' READ MORE: The unusual link between Glasgow and 'dark history' of the pineapple They go on to show us the boxes into which the new foliage has been sunk—they'll allow the variety of tree species to flourish on the street. That variety is a consideration that's been made to ensure that no disease spreads through the leafy canopy. While the question of rats invading the new drainage system has to be asked, after the issue was reported in March, the council say they have seen no such problems arise. Under the surface is where the 'real magic' has happened for the street, improved drainage and infrastructure will allow for further developments and investments in the area to 'unlock the street's full potential.' Fiona McLeod, 65, enjoying a new bench (Image: Colin Mearns) Above ground, the 77 benches have been warmly greeted by people we spoke to as we passed, including 65-year-old Fiona McLeod, who said: 'I think it's a brilliant thing for somebody that's given a wee bit of mobility problems. 'It's brilliant to be able to just sit and just rest, I love them here. I think it's a great idea.' She's sitting facing another bench in one of the many different layouts seen across the street. These benches have been placed specifically in a bit of urban Feng Shui—they form almost 'living room'-like spaces. 'It's to allow for people to gather in different ways that suit them, to rest, chat, eat or simply sit and enjoy the view,' explained the council representatives. Cambridge Street with the new plant beds and cycle lane. (Image: Colin Mearns) We look at the wildflower 'rain gardens' on Cambridge Street, which help with drainage and benefit bees and other flora and fauna. Cycle lanes have been added, and the crossings have also been widened, which should help the large footfall on the street cross safely. READ MORE: Glasgow School of Art lecturer turns 28 years of memories into bold new show Additional lighting is being added, and service units have been installed to allow for future events, including a vision for market stalls. We pass a few 'to let' signs, a sign of the times as an unavoidable hangover from Covid and a turbulent time for the high street.
Glasgow Times
5 days ago
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow City Council criticised over working hours lost to stress
Data obtained through a Freedom of Information request has revealed that in 2024 alone, the local authority had to cope with 1612 instances of absence – the highest figure since 2017. The document also revealed that already in 2025, at least 636 reports of stress-related sickness have been lodged as departments face an ever-increasing workload across education, children's services, social care and health. The figures show that the cumulative time annually lost due to stress has been steadily rising, going up from 963 instances of absence in 2017 to 1478 in 2023. The total number between 2017 and now is a staggering 10,192. Drumchapel and Anniesland councillor Paul Carey BEM believes the data is the result of excessive demands being placed on already-stretched frontline staff. He says people are being asked to cope with a growing burden of more and more work and that these new figures must act as a 'wake-up call' to council chiefs. Cllr Paul Carey (Image: Colin Mearns) He told the Glasgow Times: 'It is not surprising to me that stress-induced absence among staff has continued to rise year upon year. Council bosses must pay close attention to this because we have already experienced a worrying shortfall of teachers, cleaning workers, classroom assistants and home-helps. If more people are off sick, this becomes a vicious circle because those left to pick up the slack then also end up struggling. 'The figures clearly show that frontline workers are being stretched to their absolute limit and feel so stressed out they are forced to take time away from their jobs to recover.' He added: 'I am constantly hearing from employees who feel under strain because of the pressure around their roles. Years of cuts to budgets has piled on the pressure and it's clear from the data here that much of the council's workforce feels exhausted.' However, council bosses say they are committed to supporting staff whose health and wellbeing is being impacted in any way by stress. A spokesperson added: 'Our priority is providing a supportive work environment for all employees. 'Our absence policy focuses on early intervention and supporting staff with their health and wellbeing. The council also has a counselling and information service available to support employees, and line managers are instructed to ensure staff are aware of it and know how to access the help it can provide. 'The council is a large organisation - the largest local authority in the country - with over 25,000 employees and this is reflected in these figures.' We previously told how the cash-strapped local authority was under-fire after paying out more than half a million pounds to staff injured in workplace accidents. READ NEXT: Glasgow City Council paid £600k to employees hurt at work The council has been forced to fork out an eye-watering £629,291 over the last three years to workers injured in slips, trips, falls and manual handling of defective equipment while at work. The highest pay out to staff was £447,487 in the financial year 2022/23, while £181,804 was handed to claimants during 2023/24. Physical injury was the most common reason for action being taken, with a total of 161 claims submitted. This number was followed by physical and psychological injuries, with 45 employees successfully lodging actions.
