Bishopbriggs victory on Council Boundaries U-turn, but fight is not over
October 29, 2009 5:09 PM
Jo and Ross Finnie MSP have welcomed the Boundary Commission's U-turn on moving part of Bishopbriggs from East Dunbartonshire into Glasgow.
The Local Government Boundary Commission today published revised recommendations proposing that the Princes Gate area of Bishopbriggs remain within the East Dunbartonshire local authority area. This comes as a victory to the residents of the area who have campaigned vigorously against the Commission's previous recommendation to move 42 houses into the Glasgow City local authority area. The Commission will now consult with the public before putting their final recommendations to Scottish Ministers.
The Liberal Democrats are delighted that the Boundary Commission have reversed their proposals. Jo Swinson and Ross Finnie, who visited the area in May to speak to those residents who would be affected by the changes, lobbied the Boundary Commission and East Dunbartonshrie Council, calling on them to listen to the unanimous views of those people.
Commenting, Jo said:
"I am thrilled with this decision, which is largely the result of a tremendous effort on the part of the residents of Princes Gate. We must now keep up the pressure by urging the Boundary Commission to put these revised recommendations to Scottish Ministers. I will now be making my views known to the Boundary Commission yet again that there is no good reason to disconnect the people of Princes Gate from our community in East Dunbartonshire, and I would encourage others to do the same."
Commenting, Ross Finnie said:
"I welcome the news that the Local Boundary Commission have saw sense and are leaving the area of Princes Gate in the East Dunbartonshire boundary were it belongs. I am sure the news comes as a great relief not only to the 42 households affected, but also East Dunbartonshire Council who will retain their site for affordable housing."
"The Local Boundary Commission should perhaps consider the importance of access to schools, house prices and community connections before it drafts future provisional proposals."
Local resident Simon Andrews said:
"We are very grateful for the cross party support from all our Councillors, MP, MSP and list MSPs.
"We have to recognise that the Boundary Commission did take our representations into consideration.
"I am most grateful to the 8 neighbours in Princes Gate who currently pay tax to Glasgow who signed up to agree that they have no objection to being in East Dunbartonshire.
"This new recommendation will receive unanimous support from Princes Gate, which has always been in Bishopbriggs.
"Unfortunately we will have to wait until well into 2010 to get a final decision, but this new proposal is encouraging."
The recommendations have been issued for public consultation between 29 October 2009 and 28 January 2010. Representations should be made by email to greenacres@scottishboundaries.gov.uk, in writing to Greenacres Review, Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland, 3 Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh, EH3 7QJ, or using the webform below.
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