Councillors in clash over community hub

In last week’s Herald, Bishopbriggs North and Torrance Councillor Anne McNair (SNP) accused East Dunbartonshire Council of selling the town short.

The budget for the hub, which will now be within the local library, has been slashed from £5 million to £2 million after Labour, Conservative and Lib Dem councillors voted to change the council’s capital 
investment programme,

Councillor McNair complained the facilities will now be “squashed” into the library building and inferior to the William Patrick 
Library hub in Kirkintilloch.

But this week, Councillor for the same ward, Billy Hendry (Con), who is also the council’s Depute Leader, hit back, branding Councillor McNair’s position as “contradictory and ludicrous.”

He demanded Councillor McNair give an alternative plan for a “stand-alone” hub.

Councillor Hendry said: “I am astonished by Councillor McNair’s approach to the Bishopbriggs Hub.

“Her stance on the matter is contradictory and simply ludicrous.

“Bishopbriggs residents were advised in 2011 that a stand-alone hub facility on land owned by Morrison’s to the rear of the library was planned.

“This was subject to negotiations with Morrisons as the land is outwith Council control. Five years on and the scheme through no fault of the Council is not achievable. Councillors have come up with the best solution.

“ If you are going to criticise a policy, give an alternative.”

Councillor McNair responded: “I am astonished Councillor Hendry asks what I suggest as an alternative. At the full council meeting in June, I presented an amendment to the council’s 10-year capital programme. I suggested the council should negotiate the 
purchase of Crosshill House from Morrisons which is the former NHS building on South Crosshill Road and which 
is immediately adjacent to Bishopbriggs Library.”