COUNCILLOR RAYLEEN KELLY

ALCOHOL EDUCATION

A few weeks ago a friends daughter sent me a text to say that I was famous, when I saw her a week later I was a little curious as to what she meant, but as it turns out it was from my past life so to speak.

As a youngster I was involved with a Local Youth Theatre and one of the projects they took on was an alcohol awareness film funded by Drinkwise Inverclyde initially to go on tour to show the dangers of alcohol to young people, I took part in this and it turns out that this is what she was referring to. It turns out that the video is now used throughout Renfrewshire in High Schools as part of their alcohol awareness campaign, I know that PACE are proud of this product and I was lucky enough to accompany them out on the first tour which included drama workshops afterwards and it was a huge success.

The main point for me was that it showed the difference in reception from watching older people telling you drink is bad from watching young people their own age show the dangers and tell a story which many of the young people would be able to connect with.

Similar projects that have been carried out by PACE are Dazzled an anti drugs production, Facing the Consequences a sexual education film, No Way Out a production on bullying in the workplace and Mr Fluffy, to name but a few, they do excellent work and I am proud to be an ex member, and still keep in touch with the organisation through my council duties.

COUNCILLOR RAYLEEN KELLY

ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

The Scottish Executive's anti social behaviour roadshow is in Paisley's County Square today and I went along to find out more about it.

You can't actually miss it as the truck is HUGE! the personnel are giving out leaflets and talking to members of the public even though it is a cold, wet and windy day people are stopping to talk to them. The truck it's self is pretty impressive there are comment cards, loads of literature both local and national, a TV screen showing the latest Scottish Executive Adverts, computers with quiz's and a video booth where you can leave a message on anti social behaviour for the Scottish Executive. While I was there, there were a few people checking out the computers talking to the wardens and the police representatives and the whole thing seems to be a success.

Unfortunately the bus is only here for the day, and they are meant to be leaving at 5pm. I would like to thank the representatives who were there ALL day in the rain and wind helping the public with their queries and I hope that the rest of the day was as successful as the time I spent with them.

COUNCILLOR RAYLEEN KELLY

WILLIAMSBUGH COURT

One of the main issues that I have had to deal with since becoming a Councillor is parking. You will have noticed earlier posts on the proposed parking scheme for the East End of Paisley, but, on this occasion the parking is in the residential car park of Williamsburgh Court.

It has been a long process and we have tried MANY solutions but through discussion with the Residents Association and the Housing department it has been agreed to install gates at the front entrance of the car park, the meeting went well and it was very positive. I know that the residents were delighted with the Housing Department's suggestions and can't wait for the next Neighbourhood Housing Forum in order to get things in motion.

Hopefully this will help alleviate the situation, and I am delighted to have been able to work with the tenants association to come to bring this problem to the attention of the Housing Department.

LAST WEEK'S POLL

DISABLED PARKING BAYS

As you will see from the side bar I have removed last week's poll and started a new one, last weeks was quite successful so I hope to make this a regular feature. The results for last week's poll are as follows ...

66% of respondents agreed that Disabled Parking bays should be legally enforceable while 34% disagreed.

Not quite as clear cut as you might have thought. What does this prove? Well nothing really, it is a small sample and not widely publicised but, if the results were replicated on a larger scale it would show a significant level of support for the private members bill by Jackie Baillie MSP.

Thanks to everyone who took part and have fun with the next poll, how likely are you to vote in the Local Government Elections in May?

BNP RACIST?

are they or aren't they?

Many of you might be thinking that I have went a little strange but I have seen others be condemned for calling them racist and repugnant without actually researching what they stand for, so I have.

Looking around YouTube for something interesting politically it came up with a few BNP TV excerpts, and I was struck especially in the one about the building of a mosque by the lack of reasoning given for being against the Muslim or immigrant society. I think of myself as a British Citizen, yet my fathers side of the family are Irish Immigrants, it is funny that you never hear the BNP talk about those immigrants, in these videos they talk a lot about the Muslim community.

In the video I mentioned earlier the supporters talk about free speech, they talk about how the building of a mosque takes away their free speech and it takes away their culture, my question is how? They talk in another video about Croydon and asylum seekers coming to claim benefits, they then go on to suggest that they may be (not could be or remote possibility etc but may be) terrorists or criminals, no mention of the thousands of asylum seekers who are law abiding citizens looking for refuge, no mention of the thousands of 'indigenous' English/Scottish/Irish/Welsh or British people who are criminals and terrorists and this is exactly where the BNP shows it's racist under belly.

The problem for the BNP is that although they suggest that they are not racist EVERY time I hear them speak they seem to blame the ills in this country on the immigrant population, as a great great grand child of an Irish immigrant I find them offensive, as a friend to a few Asians I find them offensive and as a decent human being I find their views and political ramblings offensive, the problem is that some people fall for their solution of get rid of the immigrants and everything will be OK.

Even worse is the Scottish video where the guy stands in front of the camera and uses the image of Kris Donald in a bid to describe how bad Scotland's immigration problem is. Criminals and murderers come in all shapes, races, sexes, religions and sizes there is no one model, there is no way to say who will or will not be a murderer. The BNP use the Kris Donald murder as an excuse to vilify the Asian community and that is what I find repugnant.

Whether they think it or not, whether they like it or not they are racist and the views they express in these videos are repugnant, they can argue as much as they like but the idea that someone elses views or religious freedom would take away your free speech without honest or reasoned argument puts people off and shows a fear of the other person's religion and culture, why be afraid, embrace it, it may not be what you are used to or what you believe in but it will enrich your life and your understanding of the world.

PET HATES

LANE CLOSURES

As I have mentioned on here before I don't drive, but, my sister and I went to Braehead this afternoon and she drove. My sister is an excellent driver and obeys the speed limit and knows her highway code practically inside out, I know this because I constantly ask her questions and annoyingly she always knows the answers.

Anyone who has visited Braehead recently will know that on the way out of the red car park one of the lanes is closed, on coming back from XScape after dinner we noticed my biggest pet hate... drivers who know that the outside lane is closed but travel right up it anyway to force their way into the traffic to save themselves about five minutes, it annoys other drivers and it causes accidents because people get really frustrated.

Well to the guy who was travelling behind us in the dark green car, well done! knowing that the outside lane closed ahead he sat in the middle of both lanes to stop the traffic skipping the que, it seems childish I know but it did make me smile, one driver behind him even peeped the horn to try and move him out the road, I mean they know the lane is closed why peep your horn? Like you are going to get a good reception to that from everyone else on the road who knows exactly what you are up to!

COUNCILLOR RAYLEEN KELLY

NHS AND CLYDEMUIRSHIEL


Today was another one of those where you are running to catch up with yourself, this morning was the Clyde Muirshiel Park Joint Authority meeting which is always really interesting. Unfortunately on the agenda this morning was an item (number 6) suggesting that we shut the facility at Lunderston Bay, no one wants to shut the facility we recognise the benefits of the service but, the ineffectual management of Inverclyde Council and Ardgowan Estates has meant that the reputation of the Park and it's managers are being damaged as we are being blamed for the run down nature of the facilities on offer.

The Councillor from Inverclyde (who was standing in from the usual delegate) suggested that we don't shut the facility, he advised that he would talk to the Chief Executive and get something sorted, although the rest of the committee were sceptical about the progress we agreed that we give the Council until the 29th of March to make significant progress, it was pointed out that Inverclyde Council have had a representative present at this board and that although the action being taken is welcome it is 'too little too late'.

Next quick journey down the road back to the Council chambers and into the Community Health Partnership, the meeting was just about to start as I arrived but made it on time! The agenda as usual was fierce and it included the Community Health Partnership's development plan which is a huge body of work and is an excellent piece of work, if you have time have a look at it. The equality plan was also discussed and the need for a plan and information on the equality of service delivery and this was agreed.

After this it was back to working for my constituents and trying to chase up enquiries that were outstanding. I did not get home around sixish, partly due to a stray staffie outside the office window and having to wait for the dog warden to come and rescue him, hope he found his family! As it is my mum's birthday I running straight back out the door to go see her and see if we can take her out for dinner!

Happy Birthday Mum, hope you had a good day! Here is hoping tomorrow is a little more relaxing!

SNP HYPOCRISY

SALMOND AND DEBATING

I have been watching Question Time for about ten minutes and it is never clearer than now that the SNP have been packing EVERY public meeting that they can. Salmond's debating skills have not improved any, his skill is in smug and self serving comments, interupting others and shouting people down, it is unfortunate that this is something that the SNP locally in Renfrewshire think is a worthwhile skill!

Green Policies but the SNP leader thinks that the road taxing is the same as a poll tax! Thinks that this is a 'daft proposal' even though he called for the introduction of the Road charging in the Westminster Parliament in 1998 (Nicol Stephen on the programme). To be honest I was not impressed he kind of just went for the I know what ever I say I am going to get a cheer so why bother mode tonight, although watch this space for his press release 'The Scottish People are behind me'!!

It is worth noting though that the SNP leader's attendance at votes in the Westminster Parliament, have a look at his record through theyworkforyou.com, according to this it is around 28% across the 3 periods given (although between 1997-2001 it was around 16%), it is strange that someone with let's be honest such a poor attendance record at the Parliament would want to keep it on if he is elected in May, the question then has to be, would his attendance be any better at the Scottish Parliament?

SSP HYPOCRISY AND LIES

FRANCES CURRAN AND EXPENSES

Watching Newsnight Scotland last night it struck me the hypocrisy and lies that the SSP are willing to try and sell the electorate, Frances Curran of the SSP was interviewed about the expenses claims of MSPs. It may surprise some of you that I am NOT writing about the expenses claims themselves, I am not concerned with the way that the SSP and Solidarity allegedly pay their staff that costs more than others at the Parliament, I am concerned with the lies that have been perpetrated by both Ms Curran and Ms Kane (in the past).

The SSP MSPs take their ENTIRE allowance, they are given it, they take it, what they do with it after it is given to them is donate half of it to their political party, this effectively means (as pointed out last night) that a party that less than 5% of the West of Scotland population voted for is using public money to not only keep itself in business (so to speak) but, it is using it to fight the elections.

Their claim that they only take £25,000 is misleading (and that is being kind), it is not a new tactic of the SSP to suggest this, in the last elections my opponent Mr Hogg did the same thing, suggestions were made that he gave his special responsibility allowance to a charity, what it didn't say was that he was the chairperson of the organisation and set the organisation up! The hypocrisy of the SSP shows no end, Ms Kane tried to suggest that she didn't take the full amount of her allowance on Question Time some time back and the audience called her on it, since then the media have been pretty quiet about it.

JIM SHARKEY FOR

PAISLEY EAST AND RALSTON

Many of the readers of this blog may already know Jim Sharkey as he is currently involved with the Ralston Community Council. He is an active member of the Ralston Community and the Paisley North CLP, he presently works for a Local Authority and has been a key player in enhancing the knowledge and understanding of the Single Transferable Vote system to be used in the May Elections. As the information on my updated profile shows he is my running mate for the Paisley East and Ralston seat in the election in May.

Jim currently works as a researcher for a local council and lives in Ralston with his wife, two children. He is secretary of Ralston Community Council and has previously served as a local authority councillor. Jim is committed to delivering peaceful neighbourhoods, improving standards in housing, roads and education.

COUNCILLOR RAYLEEN KELLY

WEAVERS LINN RESPITE

(Photo courtesy of Renfrewshire Council website)

The Weavers Linn Respite Centre was opened this morning and I was lucky enough to be invited along for the guided tour, the winner of the competition to name the centre was present and there are a few residents using the facility at the moment. I could go on and on at great length about what a fantastic resource this is but the parents and clients do this for me. One of the parents present this morning was asking if we would take them in as well so delighted was she with the facility.

The rooms are spacious and beautifully decorated and the three living rooms are fantastic. The garden is lovely and enclosed so it is private and the staff are excellent, on speaking with some of the clients using the service they are delighted with it.

Renfrewshire Council are one of the few Scottish Council's who have taken the respite service into local control and invested positively in it's future, despite some scare mongering by some pretty nasty people at first the centre fits in well with it's surrounding community and the links for transport and shopping are excellent.

I know that this will be a success, partly because it already is but also because the community and the clients are behind it. These are the accomplishments that people don't really hear about unless they are using the service. The Council's Deputy Leader and Convenor for Community and Family Care Cllr Tommy Williams was also present this morning and was delighted with the response from the residents and their families.

It shows this Labour Administration's commitment to the carers and their families that we offer this first rate service, and we hope to continue to provide this in the future.

NATIONALISTS PACKING QUESTION TIME

FREESCOTS?

A short time ago I was accused of being paranoid because I accused the nationalists of packing the meeting between Niclola Sturgeon and Wendy Alexander. Some suggested the Labour Party do the same, I have been unable to find evidence of this but I have found evidence of the Nationalists at least attempting to do this check out the following post I found on an independence forum ...

Question Time next week

Author: Robin Day

Date: 16-02-07 21:33

Alex Salmond is appearing on Question Time Next Thursday evening (22nd) in Edinburgh. With the election looming it is especially important we can get a favourable audience.Below is the number and url to call to apply for tickets.

Question Time Ticket No: 01299 829 003

Online:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/question_time/1858613.stm

I wonder why though, the SNP never tire of telling us how wonderful a debater and all round perfect person Salmond is so why are they so scared of having a representative audience? Answers on a postcard!

SNP MISSING IN ACTION

SEEDHILL PLAYING FIELDS

I would have more respect for the Local SNP candidates if they had expressed their opinion on this matter all along, as it is they are coming late to this issue. Despite the plans for the sale of the land at Seedhill Playing fields being on the Community and Family Care agenda in February of 2005, and the papers being distributed to EVERY councillor in the council PRIOR to the meeting, the SNP (Cllr C Lawson and B Lawson) did not start talking about this issue until the middle of 2006.

Just so people in Hawkhead, Whitehaugh, Seedhill and Ralston are aware, the SNP have representatives on this board, one of which is Cllr MacKay the leader of the SNP in Renfrewshire and a campaign supporter of the Friends of Seedhill Playing Fields. Cllr MacKay knew of these plans in February, if he didn't he was not reading the papers for the meeting which he attended.

You will note from the paper (click on the title above) there were no amendments at this point. Only over a year later did this become an issue, why? Could it be that Cllr's Lawson's constituents highlighted this to them? Or is that they didn't notice it until a year later? Or maybe that they didn't care until someone pointed out to them that they could make political hay out of the issue?

The incompetence of the SNP locally has to be exposed, I don't like being negative but no one else seems to point this out! It is certainly not something that will appear in their election leaflets.

If you see them on the campaign trail ask them, why they missed this?

COUNCILLOR RAYLEEN KELLY

GRAFFITI

(Graphic courtesy of Renfrewshire Council's website)

I have spoken today to the Community Police for the area and asked them about the progress in apprehending those who are creating the mess, they have advised that they have managed to identify a number of those responsible and have taken the appropriate steps to sanction them.

In the meantime the best thing that the Council and private landholders can do is where ever there is graffiti remove it as soon as possible, this firstly creates a nicer environment for all of us to live in and secondly it allows the police to identify the new graffiti, the tags and the person creating the problem.

Thanks to the hard work of Williamsburgh Housing Association, the Community Police, the Council and some of the businesses in the area a lot of the graffiti is removed as soon as possible after it is reported, I would like to thank the people who are reporting it firstly, but the businesses involved because it can be very expensive and they are contributing to the community by their actions, so thank you on behalf of the residents of Seedhill, keep up the good work, together we can make a difference.

If you see graffiti on Council property please report it to ...

The Graffiti Hit Squad 0800 389 8623

You can also report it online by following this link