Day care centres to close despite opposition from users

Thursday 21 March 2013

Glasgow City Council will – today – almost certainly decide to close three of the seven day centres currently used by 520 people with learning needs.

More than 300 angry people who consider the centres vital to the well-being of their families, agreed tactics to persuade the city’s Executive to reverse the expected closures of Berryknowes in Cardonald, and Summerston and Hinshaw Street in Maryhill. Some of them will be at the City Chambers to make their voices heard.

The mass meeting on Sunday elected representatives to continue pressure on the Council. An 11 point action plan was also agreed unanimously.

Dr Christopher Mason, Glasgow’s official Carers’ Champion elected by the Council, admitted his report hadn’t made much impression on the Council decision makers. He had proposed a review of the services for people with learning needs before any decision on closures. ‘There is not enough money to run seven centres. Therefore they need to shut three. But we have to ask the question: ‘After the centres are closed, will the 320 people who attend them, suddenly have got better ?’ The answer, of course, is no.’

SNP Councillor Susan Aitken for Langside Ward said that ‘constructive suggestion, after constructive suggestion’ had been ‘blocked and shouted down’ by the Labour group. ‘They have lost the moral argument and their language has become offensive. It is disgraceful. This decision (to close the centres) was made a long time ago and the administration don’t want to listen. The Labour group are in power and they’ve made it clear they’ll use that power. But their decision on Thursday has no legitimacy. Not one single Labour Councillor is present at this meeting to listen.’

Bob Doris SNP MSP who has presented two motions against the closure of the centres in the Scottish Parliament told the meeting: ‘It is unacceptable that a Glasgow Labour Council is closing these day centres. They are lying when they say they have to do this. They can’t use legislation as an excuse. Other local authorities are doing things better and when the SNP administration in Dundee got it wrong, they had the humility to admit it and start again. Glasgow’s approach is a shambles and an affront. Neither services users nor carers have been asked what they want and that is not acceptable.’

Karin Mc Sherry, a 50-year-old user of one of the centres said: ‘I love my centre. It’s where I see my friends and use the computers.’ Her sister Eileen explained how much the centre meant to her sister. She said: ‘When Karin was five, we were told she’d never learn to read or write. But our mother fought that. The centre has given her a life far beyond what had been mapped out for her. She has friends, goes to college, done drama and computing. The Labour administration does not represent constituents like us. It represents the Labour Party.’

Brian Smith, Secretary of Glasgow branch of UNISON union which helped organise the meeting in the Radisson Blu hotel, said: ‘We are shoulder to shoulder with you in opposing any closures.’

A similar message came from Ian Hood, co-ordinator of the Learning Disability Alliance for Scotland. He gave detailed figures of how spending on learning disabilities in Glasgow was much smaller proportionately than the budget for older people and even less than the rate of inflation. ‘We’re in this for the long haul,’ he said. ‘Glasgow’s action is discriminatory against people with learning disabilities.’

Glasgow City SNP Councillor, Billy McAllister, speaking from the floor of the meeting, said: ‘The people of this city need to waken up. They are being treated with total contempt.’ He recommended that families concerned in the day centre closures should make Councillors’ lives ‘misery.’ He said: ‘Go along to their surgeries. There’s usually no-one there. Talk to them for three or four hours and tell them they were voted in to represent their constituents – not their political party.’

One carer outlined the time when social workers who’d rarely visited her, arrived in force and stayed for three hours. ‘We were exhausted,’ said the carer. ‘But we are still fighting and we won’t go away quietly. We have rights and we can make demands.’

Chairman Tommy Gorman said a carer who was called ‘obstructive’ by social works’ people was actually being ‘protective’ of their family. Later he said: ‘In the short term we’re not going to change the minds of the Councillors but we can vote them out next time round.’

Councillor Matt Kerr, Executive Member for Social Care on Glasgow City Council later said: ‘The way social care is to be delivered will be completely changed by the Scottish Government’s self-directed support legislation and we have to manage that change.

“We believe that a Public Social Partnership offers the best possible way ahead as providers, service users and carers will all be involved in the design of future services.
‘We have also written to the Scottish Government asking for transitional funding to support the Public Social Partnership and to assist with the modernisation of our learning disability day services.
‘The reform of services would be phased in over a 12 month period and no-one will leave their day centre until they have a personal care plan that details exactly how they will be supported in future.’

 

 

 

 

End of the road for Red Road flats

‘They’ve just blown up my childhood!’ That was the emotional, spontaneous, reaction from Finlay McKay, one of the hundreds of people watching Red Road flats being demolished on Sunday 10 June in Glasgow.

Firefighter Finlay was born and brought up on the 25^th floor of the Petershill Drive triple block. ‘Staying there was fantastic. I loved it. I’ve still got the pals I had then and living there made me the person I am today. But now, seeing the building come down so very, very quickly….I’m shocked.’ The 42-year-old had brought his daughter Cara (9) and her friends Connor (6) and Taylor (8) to see the GHA’s latest move in its massive re-generation plans. Since GHA was formed in 2003, Scotland’s largest social landlord has invested more than £1.1 billion in refurbishing, modernising and improving homes across the city.

Said Finlay: ‘I left in 1991. My Mum and Dad are dead, now. I’ve moved to my own house in Swinton and tell stories of growing up in the Red Road flats, but that’s the last physical link with ‘who you are’ – gone for me. I thought the building would come down in stages, so I’m shocked it happened so suddenly.’

The controlled explosion used around 275 kilos of explosive to bring down the triple block in seconds. The lower ten storeys of the steel-framed building will be demolished later using long reach machinery. The entire site will take months to clear. Steel will be re-cycled and the rubble crushed to make foundations for roads and buildings.

Around 2000 people were temporarily evacuated from their homes in the area, including residents of a care home, to allow the operation to be completed safely.

Said GHA Executive Director of Development and Regeneration, Alex McGuire: ‘The Red Road flats were popular in their day and are known around the world, but their time has come to an end. We’re pleased the demolition of the first of them went according to plan.’  The remaining seven multi-storey blocks will be demolished by 2017.

William Sinclair, Managing Director of demolition contractors Safedem, said: ‘The Red Road flats have presented a unique series of challenges ranging from the size of the buildings to the steel frame structure.We’re delighted to be involved in another successful demolition for GHA – our 17^thwith them since 2005.’

MSP Patricia Ferguson also spent her childhood in a flat in a Red Road block. ‘My family left a room and kitchen in Maryhill to come to a fantastic flat on the 21st floor of a different block from the one demolished today,’ she said after watching the event. ‘The thing to remember is – that tenement with the room and kitchen  – is still standing. It has been re-furbished and continues to provide good homes for people. But there is no doubt, the Red Road flats have come to the end of their time and it is right that they come down now.’

A BBC Newsnight film on living in the Red Road flats is due to be screened on Monday 11 June at 22.30.

 

 

 

Shettleston runners show their mettle

ATHLETICS REPORT by Alex Mackay

Shettleston Harriers competed at Maryhill on Saturday 24 March and at Grangemouth the next day. The Nigel Barge 10 K on Saturday saw Thomas Fay winning in 31.55mins from club mate Lachlan Oates by 30 secs. Matthew Turner finished 4th with brother Gary in 25th position. Peter Ward was 49th with Sarah Ward finishing 80th.

On Sunday at the 46th ‘Round the House’ road race at Grangemouth Shettleston’s Tewoldeberham Mengisteab finished 2nd behind Ross Houston of Central Ac. Mike Deason was 4th with Paul Sorrie 7th. Kevin Brydon finished in 24th position.

Meanwhile, on Thursday 23 March, Emma Arbuckle, running at the Renfrewshire Schools Cross Country, came away with the gold medal to add to her recent bronze. At Balloch Park Natasha Mackay, running in the Dunbartonshire Schools Cross Country, finished 4th just getting run out for the bronze medal a couple of metres from the line.

Rodeo round-up by vet students

The rodeo is coming to town on Saturday 14 April at the Glasgow Vet School Campus, 464 Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH. Organised by second year students of Glasgow University Veterinary Medicine Association, the popular event attracted 3000 people last year and raised £15,000 for charities. This year will be the 52^nd rodeo and will mark the 150^th year of the Vet School. (For more information on 150^th celebration see: – http://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/vet/aboutus/vet150/)

The beneficiaries from this year’s fund-raising will be: Scottish SPCA, Canine Partners, Riding for the Disabled and the Vet School Fund.

Since October the valiant band has been planning the charity day. They’ve received sponsorship from Burns Pet Food, Pets4 Vets; Les Ramblas Restaurant, Pet Crematorium and other companies. The committee and first year students played their part last month by bag packing in various large stores in Bearsden, Knightswood, Hillhead and Maryhill. Said their spokeswoman:’We raised money and received a great response from the public.’ They also received an unsolicited commendation for ‘brightening up a dull Saturday grocery shop’ with their yellow t-shirts, good manners and fun.

Companies have donated a wide range of prizes for the raffle, which will be sold by first year students from March until the Rodeo in April. The prizes range from a signed Scottish rugby shirt, family passes to Landmark Park, a Tanglewood TW29 DV acoustic guitar and bag, four club badges to Ayr Race Course, a chain saw sculpture and many dinner and beauty vouchers. To buy tickets at £1 each, contact: vet_rodeo@hotmail.com

On the Thursday12 April, the committee will stage a Sub crawl for all veterinary students to raise money for the Rodeo and as a final de-stress event prior to their professional exams.

On the day of the Rodeo, attractions will include fun family rides and displays, craft stalls, animal tent, dog show, reptiles and small animals tent.

L.O.T.U.S blossoming

Older people should go bungee jumping if they want to. That’s the belief of Rona Agnew, the newly elected chairperson of L.O.T.U.S. The charity – Linking Older People Through Understanding and Support serves North Glasgow and is based in Maryhill Housing Association premises. It provides counselling, therapies and other forms of support to carers and retired people.

Started in 2003, the project had to suspend some services recently because of financial shortfalls. ‘We hope we will be back up and running again soon,’ said outgoing chairperson Denis Bell. He was thanked for his service to L.O.T.U.S and told he would be missed.

Re-elected as treasurer, Derek Iggo reported on the financial position and said only electricity bills were outstanding. He thanked Eleanor Biggs, Director of Finance for Maryhill Housing Association for providing the independent examination of accounts required by OSCR – the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator.

Service users gave inspiring testimonials which showed the benefit of the person centred approach L.O.T.U.S provides. ‘L.O.T.U.S has changed my life,’ said one woman. ‘I can now contribute to the community and have the opportunity to start again.’

Vice Chair Jean Cherrie instanced how her life changed dramatically when a very large dog used her very small frame as a plaything leaving her severely injured. ‘I thought I’d be in a wheelchair, but L.O.T.U.S gave me back my life.’ she said.

In her acceptance speech, new chairperson Rona – a Research Fellow in older women’s health – said: ‘We have limited time to turn around L.O.T.U.S. We need to use all our resources and spread the work load so that no-one is burnt out. As chair, I’m not here to tell everyone what to do,’ said Rona. ‘I’m here to support you, the committee and users. You are the people who will take the service forward. While I have my ideas we’ve got to work together, brainstorm and be prepared to work hard and to change some things.’

She added: We must try to change the mindset from – I’m old, so I can’t do anything – to – I’ve always wanted to do that. What’s to stop me?’

With initial ideas presented at the annual general meeting it was agreed to see if a L.O.T.U.S choir could be formed, among other things.

For further information see the organisation’s website: http://lotus2003.health.officelive.com/

 

Asbestos trail continues

A recent story about the concerns of people in Summerston area of Maryhill who believe they were exposed to asbestos when houses were being ripped apart to instal new bathrooms and kitchens,  is gathering momentum. Several individuals have contacted this website and told of their fears. If you have concerns about asbestos in your home being disturbed during major renovations in any part of Glasgow, please contact us by leaving a comment below in the comment box. Or phone 0141 226 4712.

Asbestos fears in refurbishment work

Allegations that workers and tenants were in contact with asbestos which was disturbed during re-furbishment work by Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) contractors, are being investigated by this website.

Said Glasgow City Councillor, Billy McAllister: ‘I’m checking this out. If it is true, it is very serious and not an issue that can be ignored.’  He later confirmed he had spoken to individuals who were able to confirm the allegations but were not able to do so publicly.

Local MSP Bob Doris also told this website:  ‘I have been representing a number of constituents in relation to how Glasgow Housing Association has conducted asbestos management in their properties during improvement works recently. These constituents do not wish to be named and have asked that their confidentiality is respected. The cases all relate to a specific area of Maryhill.  To date, my constituents have not been satisfied by the responses from GHA. As a result, I intend making the new Scottish Housing Minister, Keith Brown, aware of these concerns with a view to the possibility of an external review of GHA’s procedures for asbestos management. I believe it would also be appropriate to make the Health and Safety Executive aware of these matters. My preference is to work constructively with GHA to improve their asbestos management and provide my constituents with the reassurance they need. I have already conveyed my concerns direct to the GHA on a number of occasions.’

The area where this is alleged to have happened is in the Summerston district of Maryhill. Some of those affected would appear to have been sworn to silence with a £200,000 agreement.

Work on fitting new kitchens and bathrooms took place in the area some time ago.

But Sean Clerkin, chair of Glasgow Home Owners’ Campaign said: ‘If anyone, anywhere in the city, thinks they may have been exposed to asbestos during refurbishment work, we want to hear from you!’  The number to phone is: 07948 010959.

GHA spokesperson said: “The health and safety of our tenants, factored homeowners and staff is an absolute priority and we have rigorous asbestos safety measures in place. All appropriate measures are taken to remove any risk of customers and staff being exposed to asbestos where it is present and likely to be disturbed by improvement works. As long as it is not disturbed or broken, asbestos is not a danger and this is the reason GHA  always takes great care to ensure health and safety risk  assessments and method statements are submitted to us, where required, before any work is carried out.

‘If asbestos work is required in a home, the work is carried out by fully-trained professionals using the proper safety equipment. The Health and Safety Executive recently inspected our asbestos removal procedures and confirmed they worked well. We are happy to work with any elected member to address any outstanding concerns they may have over our safety procedures.’

It is ironic these allegations surface in the week when Scottish Government legislation to safeguard people whose health has been affected by asbestos, comes into force.

Global garden to celebrate the Games

Glasgow’s first Commonwealth Garden was formally opened this week when Councillor Archie Graham attended the event at North West Women’s Centre in Maryhill and helped plant heather to represent Scotland.

Created by women of the centre following a design by Jane Gibb, the garden was funded by a £10,000 grant from the National Lottery’s Awards For All Fund.

Plants represent the main countries of the Commonwealth and their continents.

On one side Asia blooms with bamboo, rhododendron and irises. India is represented with a herb tea plant section and Europe’s space uses beautiful geraniums, roses and other plants.

Flora from the Americas, Africa and Australasia includes a maple tree for Canada, large spiky bushes for New Zealand and America, grasses from Africa and a plethora of colourful flowers from all three areas.

Over the next two years the Women’s Commonwealth Garden will have a project for local children to help them learn more about Commonwealth countries and the Commonwealth Games which will be held in Glasgow in 2014. The children will make gold and silver ‘medals’ on sticks to put into the garden next to the plants or flowers of the countries which win them.

Women create Commonwealth garden

Glasgow’s first Commonwealth Garden was formally opened this week when Councillor Archie Graham attended the event at North West Women’s Centre in Maryhill and helped plant heather to represent Scotland.

Created by women of the centre following a design by Jane Gibb, the garden was funded by a £10,000 grant from the National Lottery’s Awards For All Fund.

Plants represent the main countries of the Commonwealth and their continents.

On one side Asia blooms with bamboo, rhododendron and irises. India is represented with a herb tea plant section and Europe’s space uses beautiful geraniums, roses and other plants.

Flora from the Americas, Africa and Australasia includes a maple tree for Canada, large spiky bushes for New Zealand and America, grasses from Africa and a plethora of colourful flowers from all three areas.

Over the next two years the Women’s Commonwealth Garden will have a project for local children to help them learn more about Commonwealth countries and the Commonwealth Games which will be held in Glasgow in 2014. The children will make gold and silver ‘medals’ on sticks to put into the garden next to the plants or flowers of the countries which win them.

Down to work at the Scottish Parliament

The successful Constituency and List candidates from last week’s election lost no time in starting work at the Scottish Parliament.
Familiarisation for the newcomers, settling in for the seasoned MSPs and the swearing in ceremony on Wednesday 11 May for everyone. With a new presiding officer selected -Tricia Marwick, the first female to hold this important office – the Team Scotland in all its different hues was ready for action.
The LOCAL NEWS GLASGOW has asked each party what its priorities are now.
Glasgow’s lone Conservative and Unionist Party MSP, Ruth Davidson, said: ‘I’m delighted and honoured to be elected to represent Glasgow in the Scottish Parliament. I pledge to work for everyone regardless of how they voted – especially during the period of the Commonwealth Games when the eyes of half the world will be upon us. I will do everything I can to stand up for Glasgow in the Scottish Parliament.’

In the Green corner, Patrick Harvie retained one of the two seats his party had held previously in the Scottish Parliament, by attracting 5.95% of the Glasgow List vote. He said: ‘It’s great to be back in Holyrood again and thanks to everyone across the city who voted Green last week. Now the SNP have won their historic majority, it will be harder and more necessary for the rest of Parliament to scrutinise them and to hold them to account. But we will also aim to work constructively with them where there are opportunities to do so. I am also committed to being as strong a Green voice as possible for Glasgow and to working with party colleagues towards next year’s crucial local council elections.’

The jubilant SNP, with 69 seats have a majority for the first time in the Scottish Parliament’s history.  Now they can easily drive through their legislation. Even reduced by one seat when Tricia Marwick became Presiding Officer, the SNP majority gives their Government real clout.

Labour have 37 seats in the Scottish Parliament and have lost several leading politicians in Glasgow – Frank McAveety, Charlie Gordon, Bill Butler and Pauline McNeill. Conservatives took 15, Lib Dems 5, Greens 2 and one Independent seat to bonnie fechtur, Margo Macdonald.

First Minister Alex Salmond was on the phone to Westminster as soon as he knew the good hand the Scottish electorate had dealt him. His first negotiation was to push to strengthen the Scotland Bill. The demands from Holyrood now press the Westminister government for earlier access to enhanced borrowing powers to support capital investment, responsibility for Corporation Tax and control of the Crown Estate to benefit the renewables programme.

The first SNP MSP to respond to the LOCAL NEWS request for their priorities was James Dornan for Cathcart Constituency.  He took the seat from Labour’s  Charlie Gordon.

 He said: ‘my immediate priority is to put my office in a high-profile, extremely visible location to ensure everyone knows who their MSP is and where they can contact me. I’ll continue the work I started as a Glasgow City Councillor in representing my constituents and do all I can to save Glasgow’s charities from the brutal and heartless decision of the city’s Labour administration, to cease the concessionary rent scheme. This is leaving some of Glasgow’s most crucial charities in real danger of closure.’

Sandra White the Constituency MSP for Kelvin said: ‘One of my many priorities will be to ensure that the grassroots voices of the people of Kelvin will be heard. I also aim to protect our open spaces and the unique character of Kelvin and to promote equality of life for all through housing, jobs and education.’

List MSP Bob Doris of the SNP said: I intend to ensure that sectarianism and anti-Irish racism continues to be tackled long after the latest round of media headlines have faded. We need a consistent, long-term approach and I hope to lead a Members’ Debate on the matter in the Scottish Parliament in the near future. I also want to do all I can to promote jobs and economic recovery in our city and – yes- that does require more powers for Scotland. I am also preparing to consult on a Members’ Bill to change legislation to allow Fatal Accident Inquiries to be held into suspicious or unexplained deaths of Scots overseas. This follows the tragic death of Maryhill woman Julie Love’s son, in the waters of Margarita Island, Venezuela. Add to that my wedding to my fiancee, Janet, in Rhodes in August and it should be a busy few months ahead!’

The  first Labour MSP to respond was Paul Martin who said: ‘ It is a privilege to be elected the first MSP for the new  Glasgow Provan seat. The next five years will be incredibly challenging given the decrease in public spending that is forecast. I want to spend the next term in Holyrood fighting for health services to stay local by making sure we keep Lightburn Hospital in my constituency open.  I also want to make sure that local people are not left stranded with a bus service more worried about profits than the public. The re-regulation of the bus industry is vital and the cowardice from the current Scottish Government cannot continue. However, most importantly for me, I will always make sure that the views of local people and communities are heard. It is an honour to serve the area I was born and brought up in and I will spend the next five years dedicated to its residents.’

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