BARLANARK COMMUNITY CENTRE NEEDS IMPROVEMENTS

I very much enjoyed attending the Gala Day held in Barlanark Community Centre. One of the most popular amongst the kids, and a few adults, was the laser quest! I also very much enjoyed the cafe where I had tea and biscuits with Barlanark residents.

Myself and residents discussed many things from how fantastic the gala day was, the sense of community that the East End has and what improvements they would like to see in the local area. One of the topics was the community centre itself.

Barlanark Community Centre is one of the busiest community centres in the city. It has a local Health Shop and Social Work also have a base within the centre. It is also a very big community centre which local residents and the local primary school, Sandaig Primary, use. It is very handy for the school as the community centre and the school are attached.

Recently the building has had dampness. I am pleased that the council are addressing this issue over the summer which will make the building wind and watertight again. I did however notice that the inside of the building is in serious need of TLC!. The building has never had a refurbishment since it was first opened - apart from the odd paint job - however, when the Health Shop moved in the rooms that they use were refurbished. After speaking with Glasgow Life staff in the centre they said that they would like to see the same renovation that the Health Shop rooms have had replicated throughout the centre.

I believe that with a refurbishment with new facilities we can increase the number of people using the centre even more which would be good value for money for the council and Glasgow Life. The idea, raised by residents, of a community cafe I think is a fantastic idea. It can be a struggle to find an area to sit down with friends and chat over a cup of tea and a toastie in the area. I and local residents think it would work well as well as offering affordable food and drink.

I will be raising the issue of the car park with the council. It is in serious need of new tarmac, road markings for parking spaces and clear markings to show directions. The car park has seen a number of accidents which I am keen to put a stop to as soon as possible for the safety of local residents and school children in Sandaig Primary. I will update this blog once I have taken these issues forward.

Thanks for reading,

Austin

p.s

If you are involved in or know a community group you would like me to visit please get in touch and I will be more than happy to arrange something.

Contact details can be found here: http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/councillorsandcommittees/member.asp?id=1327&t=Councillor+Austin+Sheridan

SNP GOVERNMENT TO INTRODUCE SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

Today the SNP Scottish Government have announced plans to legalise same-sex marriage in Scotland. This is something that I warmly welcome as I believe it is simply the right thing to do.

This is obviously important to the LGBT community but in my view it also shows how progressive Scotland is and the kind of tolerant society we want to see shaped.

The Scottish Government's consultation on same-sex marriage shows a clear majority in favour - 65% for and 35% against - which is positive. The Scottish Government have also said that religious ceremonies will be allowed if that said church wishes to conduct same-sex marriages. No religious organisation will be forced to conduct same-sex marriages which I believe is right in order to protect the rights of churches.

A majority of MSPs across all parties have already signed a pledge - created by the Equality Network - that they will vote for the legislation brought forward by the Scottish Government that will allow same-sex marriage to be introduced. If any MSPs do vote against it or abstain I imagine it will be a small minority but we will have to wait and see.

To sum up - Good news for Scotland!

BROOMHOUSE GALA DAY A SUCCESS



Cllr Sheridan recieving tempory tattoo

 Broomhouse Had a Gala Day for the first time in Years and it was a HUGE SUCCESS. Read all about it here.


I attended Broomhouse Gala Day on the 7th of July which was organised by Broomhouse Community Council aided by funding from the Baillieston Area Committee on Glasgow City Council. The day was a success to say the least.

The rain certainly didn't put people off. It was very busy and everyone had a great time. This was the first time a Gala Day has been held in Broomhouse for some time. Speaking with local residents it is clear that now it has been done they would like to see it continue each year again. If this year was anything to go by I don't think it will be hard to draw the crowd in again next year.

  

Cllr Sheridan & Cllr Turner

Lots of people enjoying the many stalls such as the temporary tattoo stall, cake stall, burgers provided by the local scouts and much more. Also fantastic demonstrations by Strathclyde Fire Brigade on the dangers of chip pan fires - scary stuff but very educational - as well as the Dogs Trust bringing some dogs along and providing plastic ponchos to protect locals from the rain.

Fire Brigade Chip Pan demonstration

Most importantly it was an event that really brought the community together. From the very young to the very old there was something for everyone to enjoy. Let's hope next years Gala Day is just as good or better still even better now that the word is getting around about how good it was hopefully it will be an even bigger turnout. I hope to see you there!

Cllr Austin Sheridan

GLASGOW SNP MOTION ON VOTES AT 16 REJECTED BY LABOUR

Cllr Austin Sheridan

DISAPPOINTMENT AT LACK OF SUPPORT FOR VOTES AT 16 CAMPAIGN

The Glasgow City Council SNP Group’s youngest member, Councillor Austin Sheridan, today led calls for young people aged 16 and over to be given the vote.  Councillor Sheridan, formerly a MSYP (Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament) and supporter of the Votes at 16 campaign, tabled a motion to Glasgow’s Full Council calling on the Council to support the proposal.

Speaking after the debate, Councillor Sheridan said:

“Votes at 16 is an issue of vital importance to young people, who often feel they have no say in society.  The Votes at 16 campaign is a cross-Party movement which is seeking to bring the franchise to those aged 16 and 17.

“Young people can be married, pay tax and fight for their country but cannot vote to influence decisions that affect their lives.  This is wrong and my motion seeks to get the support of Glasgow City Council to press for the change that so many young people want and need.

“The Scottish Government has already taken steps – where they are able – to bring young people into the political process.  Countries such as Germany, Austria and Norway have also made strides in extending the franchise.

“Glasgow Labour today failed to show support for the campaign, instead hiding behind calls for more discussion but no action.  Labour failed to demonstrate their desire to right a real injustice in our society”.

Commenting Humza Yousaf MSP said:

“I congratulate Councillor Austin Sheridan for bringing this important motion forward for debate. There is a cross party consensus amongst the SNP, Labour, Lib Dems and Greens that there should be voting equality for our young people. It is perverse that we live in a society where we expect our 16 year olds to pay tax for national services but have no say in how those are run.

“It is therefore disappointing that the Labour Party in particular has chosen to betray young people in this way. They have backed votes for 16 year olds previously - including in the AV referendum - and have signed pledges to commit them to voting for votes at 16. They have chosen to put petty party politics before their own policies and Glasgow's young people have lost out. On a national level the SNP will continue to pursue this issue and bring voting equality for Scotland's youth.”

ENDS

For further comment, please contact Councillor Austin Sheridan on 07881 282636.

Notes:

1. The text of the motion can be found here:http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/councillorsandcommittees/agenda.asp?meetingid=11933
2. The motion is to be proposed by Cllr Austin Sheridan (SNP) and seconded by Cllr Liam Hainey (Green)
3. The Votes at 16 campaign can be found here: http://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/votesat16
4. The Scottish Youth Parliament can be found here: http://www.syp.org.uk/

Thank You!

First of all I would like to thank the people of the Baillieston ward for electing me as one of their new SNP Councillors alongside Cllr David Turner. I will work hard on the issues that really matter to you and people in the East End.

I want to be an open, transparent and accountable Councillor. That is why I have decided to set this blog up so that you know what I am doing in my role as a City Councillor and to also allow me to share some of my views on current issues that I feel are important. I hope you enjoy reading my blog.

If you need to contact me here are a few ways you can do so;

Office Tel: 0141 287 4963
Mobile: 07881282636
Email: austin.sheridan@glasgow.gov.uk
Twitter: @ASheridanSNP
Facebook: AustinSheridanSNP

I will start blogging properly shortly. I will also post my advice surgeries on here once they have been sorted. These will start after the School's summer holidays.

Thanks,

Austin