Latest news with #IainMcMillan
Glasgow Times
5 days ago
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Locals slam proposals to close Renfrewshire Disability Resource Centre
The service, which provides support for people with physical disabilities and sensory impairments, is one of several services that have been earmarked for closure by Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP). It was recently reported that Renfrewshire HSCP has put wide-ranging cuts to health and social care services back on the table in an attempt to plug a multi-million-pound funding gap for the financial year 2026/27. Neil Bibby MSP, who led the meeting, was joined by Labour councillors Iain McMillan, Ben Smith, Carolann Davidson and Janis McDonald to hear from service users and their families about how the proposals have affected their mental and physical health. Bibby expressed concerns about the plans. He said: "When horrific proposals like this are made, it is crucial that the voices of those they affect are heard. "That is why it was so valuable – though deeply concerning – to listen first-hand to the views of DRC users and their families regarding the closure of their vital service they face. "The closure of the DRC proposed by Renfrewshire HSCP is simply unacceptable, and I will continue to do all I can to ensure that it and other essential services are saved from the axe. READ MORE: World's tallest cinema in Glasgow's could 'close any day' "But given the Scottish Government funds both Renfrewshire Council and the local health board – the bodies that make up the HSCP – ministers in Edinburgh should also set out what, if anything, they are going to do to prevent these proposals from becoming a reality.' Attendees also highlighted how central the DRC is to their quality of life through the social activities and services it provides, and many told of the huge anxiety its uncertain future has caused. McMillan added: "It was really humbling to hear first-hand what the DRC and other services that are under threat mean to service users and their families. "It is a disgrace that the HSCP finds itself in this position. "The Scottish Government should be ashamed of themselves as they have stood back and allowed this situation to develop." A spokesperson from Renfrewshire HSCP said: "We understand this is a worrying time for many, particularly unpaid carers and families who rely on day services and disability support. "We would like to make it clear that the proposal under consideration is not to close the DRC service, but to relocate it – allowing us to continue delivering services from fewer buildings across our portfolio. READ MORE: Will asylum seekers be housed in a former Glasgow care home? "This proposal also forms part of a wider review of services, including Learning Disability and Physical Disability Day Services, Older Adult Day Services, and Learning Disability Respite. "Like many public sector organisations across Scotland, the HSCP is facing significant financial pressures. "In response, the Integration Joint Board (IJB) is exploring ways to review and redesign services to ensure they remain sustainable while continuing to support those most in need. "In December 2024, IJB voting members considered approximately £19 million of potential savings across HSCP service areas. "This reflected their decision to identify savings of 10 per cent across all influenceable service budgets, wherever possible. "They agreed that £13.8m of this amount should be managed over the next three financial years through the redesign of internal service models. "The IJB also agreed that the proposals identified to make up the remaining shortfall should be further developed, with feedback gathered through public and staff engagement. "This period of engagement, which ran throughout June and into July 2025, offered people opportunities to share their views through face-to-face and online events, as well as through questionnaires. "It was designed to gather feedback from individuals, families, carers, and staff on how any proposed changes might affect people. "The feedback collected through these activities is currently being reviewed and will inform the updated impact assessments, which will be published ahead of the next IJB meeting on Friday, September 19, 2025. "We want to emphasise that no decisions will be made on any of the proposals before this meeting."
Daily Record
04-06-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Politician takes aim at Renfrewshire Labour leadership after councillor's Reform UK defection
Councillor Andy Doig has had a pop at the group's stewardship after Councillor Jamie McGuire's controversial switch. The leadership of Renfrewshire's Labour group could be "in tatters" after it lost a councillor to Nigel Farage's Reform UK, a veteran politician has claimed. Councillor Andy Doig, an independent, has taken aim at Councillor Iain McMillan and suggested the party is "going backwards" in the chambers under his stewardship. It comes after it was announced on Monday that Councillor Jamie McGuire, who also used to work in Alison Taylor MP's office, had decided to switch allegiance. Councillor Doig, who represents Johnstone North and the surrounding villages, said: "I have known Iain McMillan for decades and I like him and respect him as an individual, however, the defection of one of the Labour group's youngest councillors Jamie McGuire to the odious Reform UK really marks Iain out as a lame duck leader. "Since 2022, Renfrewshire Labour have lost three councillors and now have one less councillor than they had in 2017. "Under his stewardship Labour in the council chambers are going backwards and that is a concern because it is healthy for local democracy to provide a level of scrutiny and Labour are the main opposition." Councillor Eddie Devine left Labour in October 2022 and was followed by Councillor John Hood within a month. The pair have continued as independent elected members since. But Councillor McGuire, who dismissed suggestions from Councillor McMillan he isn't a "team player" on Tuesday, has taken a different path and joined former Conservative councillors Alec Leishman and John Gray at Reform UK. Councillor Doig added: "Jamie McGuire seemed to me to be somewhat of a protégé of Iain McMillan's. Iain would feed him questions at the economy and regeneration policy board and they shared a joint passion for all things, red, white, and blue. "However, that relationship is now in tatters and so too may be Councillor McMillan's leadership of the Labour group." Councillor McMillan, who represents Johnstone South and Elderslie, was unfazed by the comments and said his party will continue to hold the SNP administration to account. He added: "Andy has a record of falling out with parties himself and it's quite clear I have the support of the Labour group, having just been unanimously elected as the group leader for the fourth time last week."
Glasgow Times
25-05-2025
- Glasgow Times
Concerns over dogs being let off leads in Renfrewshire cemeteries
The behaviour was branded 'very disrespectful' during a discussion on the issue at the infrastructure, land and environment policy board this week. Under Renfrewshire Council rules, dogs are allowed within the sites but must be accompanied by their owner and always kept on a lead. However, Councillor Iain McMillan, a Labour representative for Johnstone South and Elderslie, confirmed he has been contacted about the conduct at Wednesday's meeting. He said: 'One of the big issues I've been getting recently, representing an area that's got two cemeteries in it, is the number of dogs that owners just let off the lead. READ MORE: Staff at Glasgow nursery 'left child unattended' in garden as probe underway 'It's very, very disrespectful in my opinion. 'I don't have a problem with dogs going into cemeteries but they need to be under control and for me that means being on a lead. 'When people actually question people or say to them, 'really you should keep your dog on a lead,' they're usually met with a whole load of barrage of abuse which I think is pretty poor as well.' It comes after the local authority responded to a request for further information in relation to a petition on the topic. The appeal has called for legislation making it an offence – one which would be punishable by an on-the-spot fine – to exercise a dog in a cemetery. READ MORE: Star of legendary Scots rock band pictured at Glasgow restaurant A report, which was considered at the board, explained: 'The service has also responded to a request for further information from the Scottish Government in relation to Petition PE2087. 'The request for information specifically relates to the management of cemeteries and the regulation of dogs within them. 'Under Renfrewshire Councils management rules, section 9.2 and section 5.2 of the cemetery management policy permit dogs within cemeteries, provided they are accompanied by their owner and always kept on a lead. 'Information has been supplied in relation to the request.' Councillor Michelle Campbell, board convener and an SNP representative for Erskine and Inchinnan, told Councillor McMillan: 'You're absolutely right about dog ownership. 'Using our open spaces is very important for everyone in our communities and we shouldn't look to exclude anyone but it has to be that you're respectful of everyone at the same time.'
Daily Record
22-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Charity to take on ownership of community centre in Paisley after sale given green light
Your Community Your Space had its community asset transfer for the facility in Shortroods Road approved on Wednesday. A charitable organisation is set to take on the ownership of Beechwood Community Centre in Paisley after its sale was given the green light. Your Community Your Space (YCYS) had its community asset transfer (CAT) request for the facility in Shortroods Road approved by councillors on Wednesday. The decision on the £5,000 bid was confirmed at Renfrewshire Council's CAT sub-committee, having been continued previously to secure advice on conditions that could be included to protect public interest in the building. Among the stipulations agreed is that the asset may only be used as a community centre for the benefit of the immediate Shortroods community and wider Paisley area. The applicant must offer or facilitate delivery of activities which meet the learning, social or wellbeing needs of the community or as are requested from time to time; permit others to hire or use space in the centre for the delivery of activities which meet those same needs; and allow members of the community to hire the space for community events and social use. Councillor Iain McMillan, a Labour representative for Johnstone South and Elderslie, said at the meeting: "Obviously we had this on the agenda before and there were some concerns over it. "I'm still not 100 per cent convinced, to be perfectly honest with you, but I think the proposed conditions do give me a bit of comfort. "Shortroods needs and deserves a community space. There might not be anybody particularly interested in using it right now but that's not to say tomorrow somebody might start a group and be looking for somewhere to go. "I certainly need to know that the Beechwood [Community] Centre is available to other groups." Councillor Michelle Campbell, convener of the sub-committee and an SNP representative for Erskine and Inchinnan, said she was of the "same view". She added: "I think, as ever with these sort of things, you're never going to feel 100 per cent comfortable with it for all the reasons that you've expressed at the previous meeting and today as well but I am looking to agree the recommendations." In its application, YCYS said it wants to use the community centre to drive its mission of "empowering and connecting" with the community through support services aimed at addressing physical, mental and other social needs. Councillors on the sub-committee agreed to authorise the council's head of economy and development, as well as the head of corporate governance, to conclude the sale in accordance with the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. A report, which was considered at the meeting, said Beechwood Community Centre has been valued at £100,000 by the local authority and, therefore, the offer of £5,000 represented a discount of 95 per cent. The paper added: "This is offset against a range of community benefits, most significantly, of keeping the asset operating as a community centre for the benefit of the local community. "In addition, asset transfer of the asset will generate revenue savings to the council of over £33,000 per annum and estimated short and long-term repair costs in excess of £750,000."
