SNP DUO SEEK EURO SUPPORT FOR WELLHOUSE HUB
Baillieston Councillor David McDonald and Alyn Smith MEP met with volunteers
and staff from the Wellhouse Community Hub to discuss matters of importance to
the local community, and Mr Smith undertook to seek EU Funding for development
plans.
Both Councillor McDonald and Mr Smith were given a tour of the Hub’s facilities
as well as the low down on the wide ranging issues affecting local inhabitants,
from social inclusion to housing.
Speaking after the visit Councillor McDonald said:
"Alyn's visit was really appreciated by everyone at the Hub, you don't
often see an MEP in the east end of
”Wellhouse is a great example of the benefits of community ownership and what
can be achieved in local communities. They have done a tremendous job in
changing the community and the lives of local people for the better."
Mr Smith said:
“David has been very vocal in pushing the Hub’s case, but I’ll come and see any
project any SNP councillor wants me to and it is my job to turn up funding in
Brussels.
“The staff at Wellhouse Hub raised their innovative proposal to convert
derelict pensioner flats in Wellhouse, and encourage small local businesses to
redevelop the space.
“This is exactly the kind of dynamic proposal that all communities should be
striving for. I commend the innovative approach that the staff at Wellhouse Hub
has taken, and hope we can turn up a positive result for them in
Pauline Smith of the Community Trust said:
"Having Alyn visit was a fantastic opportunity for us to show the changes
that a community like Wellhouse can make. The Trust, along with the local
housing association is committed to make long-lasting changes to the area and
through dedication of staff, volunteers and the community we believe and can
prove that we're on the right road.”
Fort Buses at Last! At long last the good news is
that FirstBus are planning to run buses between Baillieston and the Fort. This
has been a local demand for ages and SNP councillors John Mason and David
McDonald are delighted at the commitment. The plan is that from 29th
June there will be a service linking Buchanan bus station, the Fort,
Easterhouse Road, Edinburgh Road, Baillieston Main Street, Glasgow Road, and on
to the Sandyhills high flats. The bus is to be No. 39 and would run every 30
minutes until SPT’s 310 service would be
revised to serve Springhill and after The SNP’s John Mason said,
“We’ve been asking for a Fort service for absolutely ages. I am delighted that
it is now looking pretty certain. Thanks go to First Bus, the Fort, SPT, and
all who have campaigned for this.”
Residents in Barlanrk were
amazed when an outdoor gym suddenly appeared in SNP councillor John Mason
looks onto the gym from his kitchen window. He says, “We all know that physical
exercise is good for us. But an outdoor gym in wet Fellow SNP councillor David
McDonald added, “There should have been consultation on what local people
wanted here. It cost £55,000 and the money could have been better spent.” How should £55,000 have been
spent? Text David McDonald – 07825 521 216
Springboig beats '02' SNP Councillor John Mason has congratulated all those
who campaigned against the 02 mobile phone mast in It had looked like a lost
cause; but the campaign run by local residents shows people power can still work. Now it looks likely the O2
mast will be put alongside others in John Mason said,
“O2 were adamant they would not move. So it’s a real victory for the people of
Springboig to have achieved this. People power is not dead!
Marking the year of progress Saturday 3rd May marked the one year anniversary of the historic election
which saw the SNP take power for the first time. To mark the occasion a day of
action was held across the Nation. This included a workday for Baillieston members at the Fort shopping Centre
in Easterhouse, meeting members of the public to highlight 5 key manifesto
pledges that have recently came into force benefitting everyone in Baillieston
including; A Reduction in prescription charges, moving towards abolition by 2011 A council tax freeze for 2008/09 Ending the £2,289 graduate endowment A small business bonus scheme, benefiting 150,000 small businesses across Free personal and nursing care payments to older people in care homes rising
in line with inflation. All this is taking place
just less than a year after the new SNP Scottish Government came to
power - this underlines the fast pace of delivery and the fact that this
is a government of action. Meanwhile the four Glasgow SNP list MSPs, Bashir Ahmad, Bob Doris, Bill Kidd
and Sandra White campaigned in Bob Doris MSP said: "As an SNP MSP I am proud to be celebrating
the first anniversary of our new SNP government. Bill Kidd MSP said: "It was a massive honour to stand up at the Prepcom
meeting in
Bill Kidd MSP joins Scottish National Party MSP Bill Kidd will this week join international
representatives at the Preparatory Committee for the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in "Opposition to the UK Government’s decision to spend a
minimum of £25 billion and possibly three times that amount on a new generation
of Trident to sit in the
The first year of SNP government has breathed new life into Scottish
democracy and delivered for our great public services. We know that we have faced some substantial challenges - as is clear from
the Grangemouth industrial action this weekend. Others have been the The issue is how we cope with them and stay focused on the key task of
building a prosperous economy and rich society. My pledge a year ago was to lead a government exclusively in the Scottish
national interest. As a minority administration we must build alliances both inside and outside
the parliament in order to take forward a progressive programme for We must govern through strength of argument, not strength of numbers. In terms of the economy, health, education and local services, the Scottish
Government are delivering on the people's priorities. Earlier this month, many of our key measures took effect. These included
freezing the Council Tax to deliver relief for hard-pressed households, cutting
business rates to boost the economy and jobs, abolishing prescription charges
in this 60th anniversary year of the NHS and scrapping the graduate endowment
to restore free education in We have saved vital accident and emergency units at We look forward to continuing to deliver for the people of For example, given that It was hailed by National Geographic as a prime example of how a small
country can make a big impact on a global challenge. We are developing a new life sciences institute in Dundee, where Scotland
can be a world leader in this cutting edge technology of the future. I firmly believe that as the SNP deliver good government in the devolved
areas and secure the trust of the people, so we will build the case for
Scotland to be governed equally well in all areas. The polls show support for independence now edging ahead-reversing a 15
point gap last summer. We can maintain this momentum by continuing to deliver successful government
and positive policies for Scotland. Support for independence and equality for Scotland is on the increase, as is
the SNP's poll ratings. The key factor is our solid record of delivery in
office. The challenges are clear and we are certainly not immune from global
financial problems. But I believe we have the skills, resources and opportunities to prosper. The Scots economy is in better shape than many other areas. We have had two successive quarters where the Scottish economic growth has
outpaced the rest of the UK. We have the highest employment rates in history, strong retail sales figures
and business confidence and a housing market which is maintaining its value. The most successful nations in the world are small, independent countries
and Scotland has an enormous potential to succeed. Scotland has a bright future as an independent nation. The key democratic issue is the people's right to choose that future in a
referendum. The SNP Government trusts the people and their right to choose our nation's
future. That is a key reason why people trust the SNP in government, as we prepare
to mark our first year in office.
Sandra White MSP said: "It's been a long fight but here we are at last,
delivering for the people of
Bashir Ahmad MSP said: "
Bill, who represents Baillieston for the SNP, is attending with Scottish CND will address a meeting of NGOs at
the conference on Monday 28th April. He will set out the opposition of
the SNP to the renewal of Trident, the actions of the Scottish Government’s
working group on Trident and the opposition of the Scottish Parliament to the
renewal of the Trident nuclear weapons system.
Speaking from Glasgow Mr Kidd said: "It is an enormous privilege to have
been invited to speak on
"For the first time ever
"Scottish participation in this conference shows that the views of the
SNP, the Parliament and the Government have been heard. Across the world
anti-nuclear campaigners are looking to
"The review conference in 2010 will determine the future for nuclear non-proliferation.
The actions of the
SNP's year of achievement
COUNCILLOR WELCOMES CASH BOOST TO SAVE LOCAL HEALTH SHOP Baillieston Councillor David McDonald has today welcomed a funding lifeline that has been thrown to the Community Health Shop in Barlanark saving it from closing. The Scottish Government announced £2.5 million in Transitional Funding to provide support for Healthy Living Centres thought Councillor McDonald, who has been working closely with the Community Health Shop over the last few months in an attempt to save the centre, said: “This funding will ensure that the excellent work carried out by the Community Health Shop would continue and local people would reap the health benefits. The Community Health Shop make a valuable and unique contribution to addressing the health issues in parts of our most deprived communities and have a key role in achieving the Governments vision of a healthier Scotland.
"I’m delighted that the Government have stepped in to save the Community Health Shop from closing, and I look forward to continuing to work closely with the staff of the Health Shop to secure its long term future” The funding was also warmly welcomed by Kevin Smith, Project Manager of the Community Health Shop who said: “We are delighted with the decision from the government as we feel that The Community Health Shop is a valued and innovative project that addresses the wider determinants of health and has made a significant contribution to building community involvement in the development of services. "The Community Health Shop will now be able to continue to respond to the needs of the community by providing services within the Health Shop and on an outreach basis. We will also be able to continue to work with partner agencies to deliver services that empower people to make positive choices relating to their mental and physical health and wellbeing. "This injection of money will allow the Community Health Shop to continue with its vision which is to 'support a healthy and positive future for the residents of the East End by increasing the community’s capacity to make health choices which offer them sustainable health development, improvement and gain’, and to address issues relating to inequalities in health; support local health aims; involve the local community and work in partnership ensuring additional service provision and sustainability.” Ending Child Poverty Bailie McDonald was pleased to be able to sign up to the Save the Children sponsored campaign calling on the Westminster Government to meet its promises to end child poverty by 2020. The Labour Government is way off meeting its target. Save the Children report that at least £4 billion extra is needed to meet the government's promise to halve child poverty by 2010.
"Save the Children are doing great work to further highlight the problem of child poverty. It’s a disgrace that the Westminster Labour Government is so far off meeting it’s own targets to end child poverty. Labour have been in Government for over a decade in which time more and more children are being born into poverty. In Glasgow about 60% of children live below the official poverty line including many in my own ward of Baillieston. Poverty in childhood affects a person for the rest of their life; it has a detrimental effect on their health, education and opportunities. We cannot allow this to continue. I do not believe that Labour have done enough over the last 10 years to meet the needs of those living in poverty. I call on Gordon Brown and his impotent Labour ministers to listen to the chorus of voices calling on them to take action to ensure they do not break this promise made to the hundreds of thousands of youngsters trapped in poverty.” David urges you to sign up to the campaign online at www.savethechildren.org.uk/endchildpoverty
All hypocrisy and no democracy in the chamber
At a Special Council meeting today to debate important issues to The SNP Group held an emergency group meeting and agreed to call another Special meeting which the Council’s Chief Executive is now required to set a within the next 14 days. Leader of the Opposition Councillor John Mason said today: “Today, the Labour administration showed their contempt for free speech in the City of Glasgow. The irony is that only two weeks ago there was unanimous agreement to propose that Freedom of the City is awarded to Aung San Suu Kyi for her relentless pursuit of human rights in Burma, but the Glasgow Labour leadership fear the same open debate in the City Chambers. “The SNP Group has important issues to debate concerning services for young people, the impact of the 2012 Olympics on lottery funding, and housing for asylum seekers and refugees. It’s important, when so much of what the Council does is dominated by the Labour Party, that opposition parties are given time for real democratic debate The Labour Party should be ashamed at their actions today. The SNP Group has no other alternative but to call yet another Special Council meeting and we shall see whether the Labour Party will yet again call time on democracy.” The SNP Group on Glasgow City Council called the Special Council meeting to continue the business which was curtailed at the full Council meeting on 1 November. At that meeting, despite a request to continue the Council meeting for 30 minutes, Labour councillors voted to end the meeting before three SNP motions could be debated. This was after the Lord Provost’s neutrality was called into question when two emergency SNP motions were ruled out by him. This is the third consecutive Council meeting where SNP motions have been guillotined. Freedom not to speak Two young local SNP councillors Alison Thewliss and David McDonald have stated their disappointment at yet another snub on democracy carried out by the ruling Labour administration in the City Chambers. The Councillors had been due to take part in a debate on the provision of services for young people in the city, at a special meeting of the City Council called for by the 22 strong SNP group. This meeting was called after a pervious sitting of the council saw the axing of 5 SNP motions, due to no new debates starting in the council chamber after 4pm. Commenting on this latest lack of democracy Bailie David McDonald, who represents Baillieston said, “I can’t believe that just a few weeks after we awarded freedom of the city to Aung Sun Suu Kyi, the Leader of the Burmese league for democracy who is fighting for free speech, that the Labour Councillors have today voted to kill off free speech in Glasgow. As Councillors we are elected to come to meetings and to debate ways of improving the City, but it clear that Labour Councillors are running scared of debating with us, they know they can beat us in votes, but they also know that they cannot beat us in arguments because they know and the people know that Labour have failed Glasgow and our young people in countless occasions in the past” The special Council meeting, which lasted less than 10 minutes, was due to debate services for the city’s young people, but was cut short when Labour Councillors voted to adjourn the meeting. Their motion was passed despite the united efforts of SNP, Green and Conservative Councillors. SNP Youth Spokesperson Councillor Alison Thewliss, said “I am very disappointed with the way the Labour councillors have acted today. It is clear that they do not believe Glasgow’s young people are worth debating. Glasgow has seen its provisions for young people cut year after year by Labour, and it has only been due to the positive announcements of the SNP Government in Holyrood that local youth groups have begun to be invested in” Bannerman pupils have a blast at fireworks show in the green Local school pupils Pamela Hannah and Katie Strachan tonight, attended the Glasgow Green Fireworks display, courtesy of local councillor, Bailie David McDonald. David donated his guest zone tickets to Bannerman High School and the two local teenagers won the VIP tickets through a school raffle. Sixth year student Katie Strachan said: “Pamela and I had an amazing time, it was good to see Glasgow Green from a different perspective, thanks to Bailie McDonald for donating them to Bannerman High School, and we raised money for the Mark Scott leadership program" Commenting upon this, Bailie McDonald said: “I’m glad Pamela and Katie enjoyed the fireworks show, it’s good to see a few local faces in the guest zone and I wish Bannerman High School best of luck with the Mark Scott leadership program. “It’s an absolute pleasure to have such a good relationship with the staff and pupils at Bannerman High School and I look forward to more things like this in the future”.
Baillieston councillor stands up for Glasgow and calls a meeting for real debate
The SNP Group on Glasgow City Council today submitted a twenty-signatures request that the Chief Executive prepares for a special Council meeting within fourteen days to continue the business which was curtailed at yesterday’s full Council meeting.
Despite a request to continue the Council meeting for 30 minutes, Labour councillors voted to end the meeting before three SNP motions could be debated. This was after the Lord Provost’s partisanship was called into question when two emergency SNP motions were ruled out by him. This is the third consecutive Council meeting where SNP motions have been guillotined.
The Council’s Chief Executive is now required to set a date for a special Council meeting within the next 14 days.
Leader of the Opposition and SNP Group Leader John Mason said today:
“Today, Glasgow City Council is being called to account by the Scottish National Party, the main opposition to the Labour administration. For too long now, the Labour Party have sought to control what is said and done in the Council. Now that there are twenty two SNP councillors in Glasgow, we have sufficient numbers to requisition a special Council meeting with a quorum to deal with the business which the Labour administration doesn’t want to take.
“The Labour administration abuses its control of the Council at every step and turn to ensure the opposition parties are kept out proportionately from Council committees, external bodies, etc. Restricting time in the Council chamber is just another of their ways of shutting down debate and dissent.
“We have important issues to debate concerning services for young people, the impact of the 2012 Olympics on lottery funding, and housing for asylum seekers and refugees. It’s important, when so much of what the Council does is dominated by the Labour Party, that opposition parties are given time for real democratic debate.”
Another leaflet drop from Baillieston SNP
An army of Baillieston SNP activists last night took to your street delivering the latest edition of SNP local. It is the second edition since the people of Baillieston returned two SNP cuncillors in the May election. The autumn edition covers a wide range of issues from parking, policing, primary schools to Labour still neglecting the city of Glasgow. Garrowhill resident, Linda Murray told bailliestonsnp.org:
Commenting on the news that Glasgow School Children will benefit from free, healthy school meals after the October break. The Parliament approved a series of trial projects worth £5 million in total so that every primary one to three pupil in the Borders, East Ayrshire, Fife, Glasgow and West Dunbartonshire will be entitled to a free, nutritious school meal every day from October until March. Commenting on this announcement Bailie McDonald said: “I am delighted the SNP Scottish Government has pledged £1.3 million pounds to improve the health and wellbeing of Glasgow School Kids. The aim of this trial is to change the culture around school food, we want to find out whether promoting free, nutritious menus and developing children's palates to include more healthy options, will bring about that change towards healthy eating habits, both at home and school.” David also thanked the Scottish Government for the more than £2 million has been unveiled for over 200 projects under Moving Forward, the Scottish Government's strategy to improve young people's chances through youth work. David went on to say: “The SNP has always been on the side of Scotland's young people. We believe they deserve a greater say in the future of their country, and this positive announcement for Glasgow and our young people will secure the futures of numerous youth groups in Baillieston and across Glasgow. “Young people and youth facilities in our area have suffered many years of neglect and under funding by the pervious Labour Executive and City Council. That is why I am so pleased that from the beginning the new Scottish Government has been so committed to young people. We realize young people need all the support they can get, and this is an important investment in the future of our city.”
Baillieston SNP Councillor's report back to you It has been another busy month in the council for Baillieston’s two SNP Councillors John Mason and David McDonald.
They have continued to visit local schools. These visits offer John and David the chance to see the great work carried out in our schools, to meet the dedicated teachers and the pupils all eager and willing to learn. The visits are also an opportunity for the councillors to hear the concerns of teachers. These mainly relate to the conditions and the environment of the school buildings may of which have been left to rot due to years of neglect by the Labour run city council. Schools are at the heart of local communities, Councillors Mason and McDonald are committed to ensuring our primary schools are brought up to a higher standard we want to develop our schools to make them community hubs where more out-of-school activities and promoted and, where possible, family, childcare and other community services are on site. We think our schools should give every child the chance to achieve their full potential, providing them with the individual attention and support they need to flourish. We will continue to visits schools and other local groups in the months ahead.
On the subject of transport:
Councillor Mason has welcomed the new Easterhouse Town Centre Action Plan the council announced this month. This item dealt with the poor state of the Shandwick shopping centre, sandwiched between the smart Fort complex and the Bridge’s education & leisure facilities. John welcomed moves to improve this area although he sought commitments that:
Further to This Councillor Mason expressed his concerns about the lack of bus service from the Baillieston ward to the Fort in a letter to Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson MSP. Councillor Mason believes that there is a need for bus re-regulation for the good of local communities and people.
In other news: Bailie David McDonald, has been working closely with residents and local community police officers in the Lachgrove area over the last month in an effort to make the community a cleaner, safer place for all. The area has long been a target for anti social behavior but now the local SNP councillors are making every effort to improve the community. There has been a new joint action plan set up by Glasgow Community Safety Service and Strathclyde to tackle youth disorder and other anti social behavior such as flytipping, this will see a more visual on the street presence of Police and Local Community Enforcement officers. In an attempt to increase the idea of community in the area Baillie McDonald will be orginising local clean ups of Danny’s Park and the neighboring streets, with the aim of getting new and improved facilities for the areas young people. Bailie McDonald is also looking into setting up other new initiatives, please check back here for full details.
Bailie McDonald reports back
Bailie David McDonald, has spent much of his time since being elected to the council to visit local schools, community groups and volunteer organisations. David who spent nearly a year as a full time volunteer with Project Scotland prior to the elections said: “The value of volunteers in our community is immeasurable; it’s both a fun and fulfilling experience. I’ve enjoyed being able to go visit local groups and meet people who dedicate their lives to making there community a better place to live, everyone I’ve met so far has been a real inspiration to me. I spent a number of months as a full time volunteer, so I know how rewarding it can be. It provides people with a chance to learn new skill and improve their confidence and self-esteem. I’ve been particularly pleased to visit those youth organisations who get young people involved with their communities, this gives young people the opportunity to see and do new things and leads to them becoming responsible citizens in the future. I was also lucky enough to recently represent the Lord Provost at the recent Strathclyde Youth Volunteer Awards Ceremony in the City Chambers, this event honored young volunteers from all across the Strathclyde area who do endless good work for their communities. Many community groups and organisations couldn’t survive and offer their services (which often fill a gap in provision) without these local hero’s. Even a small commitment has a long lasting effect on an organisation and the people it represents. I look forward to being able to meet more community groups over the next few months and offer them as much support as possible in order to repay them for the work they do for the people of the Baillieston ward.”
Baillieston SNP in the community
On Sunday, August 12, Baillieston SNP councillors David McDonald and John Mason joined an army of volunteers committed to cleaning up Sandymount Cemetery on Hallhill Road. Sandymount cemetery has been the victim of vandalism and graffiti for far too long. Sandymount hasn’t been shown the respect and compassion it deserves. It took an army of Glasgow activists from all different communities and backgrounds a few hours to clean headstones, chop away old shrubs, bushes and remove litter. The difference made was absolutely phenomenal and any family members visiting the cemetery will notice a massive difference when they next visit. Bailie David McDonald said “I was delighted to see so many people from all backgrounds coming together on Sunday to help in the clean up operation. People of all ages and all religions from all around Glasgow came together to work for a common cause and they really made a difference.
"Sandymount is the final resting place of people of all faiths and none, it has Muslim, Jewish, Christian and Atheist graves it has suffered from neglect, it has been plagued by vandalism and was in a very sorry state. However after a few hours of hard, but rewarding, work the rewards were there to be seen. We had cleaned headstones, picked up litter, cut back weeds and bushes in all areas of the grave yard. "I hope that we can follow on from Sunday’s clean up and continue to maintain the area and show those tha
If anyone wants to arrange a similar clean up operation in their community please get in touch with me via e-mail david.mcdonald@glasgow.gov.uk”. Baillieston councillor John Mason said “This is a great example of the Council and local volunteers working together. This is the best way of getting things done. Some folk would say "It's the Council's job", others that "It's the community's job." But when both work together, things can really happen”
Commenting upon this Bailie McDonald said:
"David and John's leaflet is fantastic, SNP local keeps me up to speed with whats going on in the community all year round and how my the SNP are best representing us in chambers. I have voted SNP all my time living in the ward and frequent updates from the local councillors is why I'll continue to vote for them"
Local activist, David Linden said:
"It's been good getting out leafletting the ward again, regardless of a Westminster election we're out working, raising the profile about the SNP in Baillieston. It's amazing - I live in the ward myself, and can't recall receving any leaflets from Labour since May. It's a shame the people only ever hear from the Labour party in Baillieston whenever an election is coming up. Unlike them, Baillieston SNP is out working for the people, listening to the people".
Looking ahead: the future of Scotland - the future of Baillieston
Bailie David McDonald has welcomed a number of recent SNP Government announcements that have seen an unprecedented level of support for Glasgow’s young people.
Pictured above is Councillor John Mason, Bailie David McDonald and Bashir Ahmad MSP with local volunteers keen to roll their sleaves up!