Since last months edition it certainly has been busy within the whole of Southside Central. I had a walk about in Laurieston with several of the residents and Land and Environmental Services

We looked at issues that had been raised at the previous months Community Council meeting, the issues were about the pathways that were in need of some maintenance work and there was also an issue about tree branches overhanging some of the paths which the residents said they didn’t feel safe to use due to this as this made the paths dark and intimidating. These issues will be addressed through the winter programme of Land and Environmental Services. They also highlighted the fact that when some utility companies had been in the scheme doing some essential works they had failed to reinstate grounds, this matter will be taken up on behalf of the constituents and I believe a meeting has been set up between Land and Environmental Services and the Glasgow Housing Association to progress this matter with the utility company.

I also attended the AGM of the Myrtleshaw Residents Association. The main issue that they raised with me was the fact that some of their members have to live with water constantly running from stairs leading to their homes. I was advised that they have been experiencing this issue for several years. The water runs constantly in Myrtle Park just around the corner from Myrtle Place. Residents have advised me that there have been many repairs done to try and address this issue but to date a solution to the problem has not yet been achieved. I am addressing this issue as a matter of urgency with the relevant people as it is unacceptable that constituents many of whom are elderly should have to walk through this running water to access their homes on a daily basis. They also raised minor issues of overgrown foliage again this matter will be addressed in the winter programme of Land and Environmental Services. Cathkin Park was also an issue for them but this comes under another ward and I know that Councillor Graham has been dealing with this matter.

I continue to work with all Council Departments and Partner Agencies to address the issues that we have in the Govanhill part of Southside Central Ward. It frustrates me that even though we are putting in a vast amount of additional services in this part of the ward we seem to be making little or no impact on the issue of rubbish/bulk that is on the streets and in the backcourts. After the recent clean up of the block (Westmoreland Street - Langside Road) I was really disheartened to hear that some of the backcourts that we had worked on are as bad as ever, however, I may be disheartened by this news but it will not deter me from continuing to look for a solution that will make a difference to the constituents that I represent. I believe that we need to look at CCTV for the area so that those responsible for dumping the rubbish/bulk can be identified and the appropriate action taken against them. I have raised this with Glasgow Community Safety Services at the recent meeting of Partners, which is chaired by the Deputy Leader of the City Council, I advised GCSS that we urgently need to have CCTV in the area to help us address these issues. CCTV is needed on a 24hr basis so that we can catch those who are behaving anti socially by dumping rubbish/bulk on our streets and also those who are causing a disturbance to residents in the area.

I was also very disappointed to hear that the court put the Appeal for the Parkview Hotel HMO License back last month until the beginning of December. It was felt by the Sheriff that this case was not a priority and took other cases in front of it. Maybe those in authority should pay a visit to Strathbungo to see what the residents have to put up with on a daily basis.

I will work on behalf of constituents and with the relevant agencies to ensure that those constituents who reside in Strathbungo feel safe in their area and also that they feel safe in their own homes.

Hutchesontown Community Council had raised with me the issue of noise coming from the Car Wash at Cathcart Road as it was operating into the wee small hours and it was disturbing residents on Crown Street. I have been in touch with the department responsible for the licensing of such establishments to see if they in fact needed to be licensed and if they did, to ensure that they are compliant with its conditions. I believe that the Police are investigating this matter and will report their findings to the relevant council department.

During the past month I have attend many Council Committee meetings on a weekly basis as I have a heavy commitment of council duties. The main issues that I come across at surgeries or via phone calls to the office on a monthly basis are of a housing, council tax matters nature also factoring issues, anti social behaviour to name but a few of the duties that I undertake on a monthly basis on behalf of constituents.