Budget plea

Newton Mearns, Clarkston, and Netherlee and Stamperland representatives said an increase to help East Renfrewshire's budget should be "firmly ruled out".

This was part of the leaders' response to ERC's forum that asked residents for opinions on how the budget should be planned.

The leaders, David Jesner, Eleanor Kellock and Anne Rankin, also hit out at the ERC college.

Their response said: "Scrap the college as it is of no practical benefit to East Renfrewshire and in year six it is likely to become a liability.

"Instead sell or lease the site to the intended tenant (Cardonald college) and let them put up their own building".

They add: "We have an increasing older population who (members) are on fixed incomes. Those with savings have seen these income streams decimated through reductions in bank base rates and companies cutting or cancelling their dividends.

"The costs associated with running homes have increased especially in the areas of heating, lighting and maintenance.

"We are alarmed at the call to dispense with the freeze on council tax. Nor are we relaxed with the Scottish government's announcement that the cap will remain for (only) another two years".

However, the leaders did support externalising cleansing, leisure and recreation services to save money.

They also suggest reducing the number of council offices, swimming pools, community centres and libraries.

Among suggestions was one to "lease leisure centres and a theatre to firms on commera cial leases".

The council should not continue to run care services or make more use of voluntary and other care providers, according to the leaders.

The response details how priority should also be given to education — and that disruptive pupils must be dealt with more effectively.

An ERC spokesman said: "We are happy with the level of response from residents and groups across the area and from our own council employees.

"There is a wide range of ideas, thoughts and suggestions and it is heartening that so many people have taken the time to put forward their views.

"We will now prepare a report that brings the consultation responses together as part of our wider examination of the budget gap the council is facing.

"This will allow us to develop more detailed proposals in December. I'd like to thank every single person who took the time to give us their views".