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Alex Glass · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 8:15 pm Post subject: Pollok Civic Realm

The books are being placed on the shelves

The desks are in place awaiting the computers

The machines have been delivered to the Fitness Suite

All that we are waiting for is for the new Pollok Civic Realm to officially open.

Already the CAB have moved in and it is accessible. Hopefully it won't be long.
_________________
I had a dream today

ALEX G @ flickr

big drew · Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 8:36 pm Post subject:

Now that the squabbling seems over, as to who will command the best locations within the new 'Civic realm'.....I don't suppose it would too much to expect when, if at all, the local community will finally be able to use these much needed facilities.
Problem, as you are no doubt aware is that once again. information about what is happening is extremely lacking at the local level.
Not only has the Pollok Post now gone, but there is no information network to allow the 'joe punter' any chance, of actually keeping up-to-date with events in his/her own community.
There is no information available on line, excepting sites like this, as both the Council and the 'Quango' Ascend, do not seem to be advertising anything of value about the Greater Pollok areas.
Hopefully, as soon as the local 'worthies' grab all the freebies and invites, then the rest of us may get to see the Civic Realm and hope that it will not end up the same as the now 'infamous' Wedge, and just be a place where phantom committees hide, and make decisions on our behalf....without consultation...!
Must confess that I would have expected Councillor Glass to have been more in control about his area, as there is now a major problem about finding out just what is going on......
Not really his problem, but nevertheless, its his voting areas that are being
manipulated again by others....for example..the Pollok Post, now defunct and replaced by an advertising sheet, which apart from the high level of adverts, has very little local news of interest, and like the Southside News, tends to regurgitate news items from the daily papers...something that 'local newspapers' never usually got bogged-down on.
It also editorializes into Newlands and Craigton, which has always had a reasonable level of reporting, whereas Pollok has had none saving its own 'Post'.
There is also no Web Sites now, where some diary information could be gleaned, so in all, I must ask Councillor Glass to comment on what I see as the almost total demise of Community Information throughout the Greater Pollok area....!
We all accept that information is power, but will Councillor Glass accept that both the community and himself are being by-passed by agencies whose role within the community, must now be questioned......?

Alex Glass · Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 8:39 pm Post subject:

Thanks Big Drew.

Totally agree with almost everything you say. There is a severe lack of information getting out to the community. The former Greater Pollok Web site was a good source but unfortunately due to a number of issues was not that well advertised resulting in it not being that well used.

The Post whilst still there in a different form is lacking in local information. In their defence I would have to point out that they are reliant on people supplying them with stories.

I will investigate ways of doing something to get information out to the community and will myself continue to do what I can to keep local people informed.

Thanks again big Drew for raising this very important issue.
_________________
I had a dream today

ALEX G @ flickr

Alex Glass · Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 8:44 pm Post subject:

I forgot to say that the building is currently open for the public to see inside. The Library should be moving in soon. I am reluctant to say exactly when all facilities will be available as this is changing every day.

The CAB is open for business within the Civic realm. The Council recently agreed a further £400,000+ for necessary works to the Leisure Pool so there is a further delay in the opening of the pool.

As soon as I have more information I will do what I can to get the information out within the local community.
_________________
I had a dream today

ALEX G @ flickr

big drew · Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 12:26 pm Post subject:

Thanks again Alex.....as you are aware, with no information getting out there is a big risk of local plans and proposals being passed for 'our benefit' without us having any chance of at least commenting.....
Unfortunately, the buck would stop at your door, being the elected councillor, so, i will keep my fingers crossed that we will eventually be kept up-to-date with local issues.
Also remember, that the Civic Realm once opened would be a central point for information of local interest, but until then........well we know from the past the tricks some people get up to when not answerable to the community.