Kelvindale Community Council

DON’T BE LEFT OUT IN THE COLD -REGISTER TO VOTE TODAY :

Glasgow City Council is encouraging anyone not yet registered to vote, to take advantage of this week’s National Voter Registration Drive (1-7 February) and go online now to register.

On Thursday, 5 May 2016 voters in Glasgow will go to the polls for the Scottish Parliament election.

This election will be the first time that 16 and 17 year olds have been able to vote for Scottish Parliament but anyone who isn’t registered to vote won’t be able to take part and have their say.

The deadline to register to vote in these elections is Monday, 18 April 2016. While there is still time, it’s running out quickly. The good news is that it only takes a few minutes to register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote . It’s a chance to join the thousands of people across Scotland and rest of the UK being encouraged to register this week.

From now until April Glasgow City Council will be running its campaign and engaging with people, and particularly young people, in schools and higher and further education establishments across the city to encourage them to register.

Hugh Munro, Electoral Registration Officer for Glasgow City Council said: “Anyone not yet registered to vote should do so as soon as possible so they can have their say on issues that affect their day-to-day lives. I’d urge people living in Glasgow to to spread the message amongst family and friends, especially if they have 16 or 17 year olds who may not be registered yet.  It only takes a few minutes to complete the form and register to vote online.”

Andy O’Neill, Head of Electoral Commission, Scotland said: “We are holding the National Voter Registration Drive because it’s important that anyone who’s eligible to be on the register, but has not yet registered, does so. It’s easy and quick to do online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. This is the first time that 16 and 17 year olds will be able to vote for Scottish Parliament and as young people are much less likely to be registered to vote, having this week is as important as ever.”

The quickest and easiest way to register to vote is online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote but residents can get a paper copy of the registration form by contacting Glasgow City Council’s Electoral Registration Office on 0141 287 4444.

Citizens are being asked for their opinions on Glasgow City Council’s budgets for 2016/17 and 2017/18 as part of a citywide consultation launched today.

Please do read the Media Release below which gives you an overview of the background to this consultation, but this link will take you directly to the important document which not only tells you about the planned areas for savings but gives you the opportunity (until 19th February) to contribute your own ideas and suggestions.

https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=32199&p=0

The city’s budget for local services remains under substantial pressure – with the council expected to find savings of £133 million over the next two years.

Proposals prepared for the council administration identify a series of potential service reforms and efficiencies that could meet £43 million of the £86 million target for 2016/17.

It is also proposed to draw £25 million from balances – effectively lessening the impact of next year’s budget shortfall and giving the city an additional 12 months to find and consult on savings.

Launching an initial month-long consultation, Chief Executive Annemarie O’Donnell urged citizens to have their say on funding for services and securing savings.

She said: “There is no doubt the city faces some very substantial financial challenges.

“In determining spending priorities, nobody is more important than the citizens who depend on the services the council provides.

“By taking part in this budget consultation, Glaswegians can ensure their elected representatives understand exactly what they value the most about the services the council provides – and where they think it could make savings.”

The local government settlement for 2016/17 includes a cash reduction of £53 million which, coupled with budget pressures of £33 million, means the council has a budget shortfall of £86 million in the next financial year.

When added to an estimated shortfall of £47 million forecast for 2017/18, the requirement for savings over the next two years is £133 million.

In order to bridge that spending gap and set a balanced budget, which is a legal requirement, the council has to both reduce its spending and try to increase its income.

However, it is also committed to try and protect and, wherever possible, improve the front-line services on which thousands of Glaswegians depend.

Through its Transformation Strategy, the council has identified a series of potential service reforms and efficiencies that could save £77 million over the next two years.

Proposals prepared for the council’s administration also target other savings during 2016/17.

The use of balances, equal to 40% of the council’s total balances, is proposed to mitigate the scale of savings required from April.

Equivalent savings would have to be found in 2017/18, leading to a total of £72 million, with £38 million of that figure still to be identified.

However, this mitigation strategy also creates the opportunity for further consultation on where such savings could be found, between now and early 2017.

Glasgow’s budget consultation is now live and citizens will be able to have their say and make suggestions online at www.glasgow.gov.uk/budgetuntil 19 February.

The exercise covers both 2016/17 and 2017/18 budgets and this initial phase will be followed by further consultation over the next year.

Early next month, the council will host a short series of meetings with key community groups to discuss and record their views.

Councillors will receive a report on citizens’ responses before they set a budget for 2016/17 on 10 March.

Here are the detailed plans which ScotRail have announced to cope with the impending closure of Glasgow Queen Street High Level services from 20th March 2016.

http://www.scotrail.co.uk/QueenStreetTunnel

We would advise you to read the complete document – but their statement regarding our local Kelvindale line reads as follows –

Although the proposed plant is not within our area, concerns have been raised by local residents at our meetings about these plans.  For the latest news, published by The Evening Times, please see the link below.  Above photo copyright Colin Templeton/Evening Times.

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/14200269.Decision_on_plans_to_build_a_230ft_high_chimney_in_Glasgow_on_hold/?ref=ebln

The first Meeting of the year is on Thursday 21st January at The Kelvindale Bowling Club, 91a Baronald Drive.  7.30 – 9.00pm.

The Scottish Government has today launched its broadest ever initiative to gather views on what the people of Scotland would like from their police service.  The information gathered will be used to develop new Strategic Policing Priorities, the framework set by the Scottish Government outlining their expectations for both the Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland.

The Scottish Government set out its commitment to strengthening policing in the Programme for Government in September, three years on from the creation of the national service.  Today’s launch builds on the work already being done around this, including a local police scrutiny summit that took place in September, led by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and the ongoing local planning process led by Police Scotland.

Responses on this stage of engagement can be submitted until Friday 12^th February 2016 and the results of this first stage will be used to draft revised Strategic Police Priorities which will then be the subject of a formal consultation where there will be further chance for input.  Further information can be found  on the Scottish Government website:

http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Justice/policies/police-fire-rescue/police-scotland/StrategicPolicePriorities

This year St John’s Renfield Church is trying something new for the Christmas Eve Family Service!

As well as the usual Christingle celebration, we want to welcome the children (and adults too if they want) to come along and join in with the telling of the Christmas Story.

Come dressed as a character from the Nativity – we have a Mary and Joseph but anything else is good – angel, shepherd, donkey, camel, king. Don’t worry, we will have plenty of extra costumes for anyone who doesn’t have one and if you really don’t want to dress up, come in your PJs and enjoy the greatest bedtime story ever told!

Service starts at 6.30pm and everyone is welcome whether you always or never come to church and whether you have any faith or none.