Community councils renewed for Mearns and Giffnock

The news follows a second call for nominations from East Renfrewshire Council, after critics — including opposition councillor Jim Swift — claimed the authority had “alienated” residents with a review of community council practices.

An ERC spokeswoman said the new councils would be made up of “new members from a diverse range of backgrounds who can represent their community and make a positive difference to the areas they live in”.

She added that the council will seek to reappoint more community councils in the new year with another call for nominations set to follow, commenting: “East Renfrewshire is committed to having a full quotea of vibrant community councils and supporting all 11 CCs to be re-established.”

The new councils for Crookfur and Greenfarm and Mearns Village mark a split for the former Newton Mearns Community Council.

Councillor Mary Montague, convener for community safety and services, said: “Following feedback from residents, one of our aims when working toward re-establishing community councils was tht they should be more representative of their community, more visible to residents and link as closely as possible to natural communities.

“I’m delighted that our second round of nominations has attracted interest from a diverse range of new members from different backgrounds.

“Welcome to everyone who has been nominated by their neighbourhood to serve on our community councils. You are all now part of an exciting new era and will play an important role to better our communities.”