Swinson and Finnie call for Local Inquiry over boundary changes (North Tayside Liberal Democrats)

North Tayside Liberal Democrats <info@libdems.org.uk>

Swinson and Finnie call for Local Inquiry over boundary changes

May 17, 2009 10:23 AM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Jo Swinson MP and Ross Finnie MSP are pushing for a full Local Inquiry into proposals to change the council boundaries between Glasgow and East Dunbartonshire.

Ms Swinson and Mr Finnie met with residents of Wallace Drive, Wallace Gate and Wallace Place in Bishopbriggs, who are among the 42 households which would be affected by the change. Residents fear that if the boundary is moved to incorporate them into Glasgow, their children may have to move schools, the value of their homes will decline, council tax will increase and they will lose access to services provided by East Dunbartonshire Council.Ross Finnie MSP: West of Scotland

The Boundary Commission published its provisional proposals this week after consultation with East Dunbartonshire Council and Glasgow City Council. Local residents were disappointed to learn that the Boundary Commission's position has not changed. The Commission states that its proposals consider only the "effect on effective and convenient local government", and not the concerns of the residents themselves. Public consultation will now begin, and the public are invited to submit their contributions by letter or email by 6th August. It will then be decided whether a full Local Inquiry is needed.Jo Swinson MP: East Dunbartonshire

Commenting, Jo Swinson said:

"The people living in this area have a really strong case against the Boundary Commission's proposals, and are unanimously opposed to them. Ross Finnie and I will press the Boundary Commission to conduct a full Local Inquiry into the matter. Many local people have campaigned very actively already, but these proposals indicate that East Dunbartonshire Council has not pushed hard enough on their behalf. The Council must now launch a robust defence of the residents, and make it clear that it will not accept these plans. I would strongly urge anyone who is concerned by the proposals to email or write to the Boundary Commission to make their views known before the deadline on 6th August."

Notes:

The Boundary Commission's provisional proposals can be viewed here:

http://www.lgbc-scotland.gov.uk/reviews/robroyston/robroyston.htm

Anyone wishing to submit their views to the Commission should do so by 6th August 2009, by emailing greenacres@scottishboundaries.gov.uk or writing to:

Greenacres Review, Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland, 3 Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh, EH3 7QJ

There is also an online response form at:

http://www.lgbc-scotland.gov.uk/forms/greenacresform.htm