First Minister, Jack McConnell, came to the east end of Greenock today to hear what more needs to be done in the fight against antisocial behaviour.
Jack
Hears the Word in the East End
First Minister, Jack McConnell, came to
the east end of Greenock today to hear what more needs to be done in the fight
against antisocial behaviour.
Local
residents told him about the problems which too many decent families in the area
are still experiencing, despite the tough new powers now on the statute book
thanks to Labour MSPs in the Scottish Parliament.
MSP
for Greenock and Inverclyde, Labour’s Duncan McNeil, introduced the First
Minister to residents and community activists from across the east end.
He said:
“My
parliamentary colleagues and I have invested much in giving local authorities
the necessary tools to tackle antisocial behaviour.
Sadly, however, those who now enjoy these powers don’t seem overly keen
on putting them to use.
“Options
like noise nuisance warning and fixed penalty notices, dispersal orders and
ASBOs are there to be used. And
when they are, they do make the difference.
“What
the people the First Minister met told him and showed him will, I hope, help
determine the direction the Executive will take on this issue.”
The
First Minister toured Sinclair Street and McLeod Street, discussing with local
residents some of the problems they continue to face.
Local Councillor, Labour's Michael McCormick, said he was glad Mr
McConnell took the time to listen to his constituents’ concerns.
“While
it’s true that progress has been made in recent years,” he said, “problems
still persist in areas like mine. The
First Minister made it clear he wants to know what these problems are and how we
feel his government can help solve them.
“A
good first step would be for Inverclyde Council to make proper use of the powers
they have already been given and I will be keeping up the pressure on them to do
just that.”
Inverclyde
Council Labour Group Leader, Cllr Stephen McCabe, then joined a number of his
constituents and local community activists in a roundtable discussion with the
First Minister in nearby Craigend Resource Centre.
“It
was important that Jack heard firsthand about how the new antisocial behaviour
legislation is being implemented – or in Inverclyde’s case, not being
implemented – on the ground,” he said.
“The
current administration on Inverclyde Council has left its new powers to gather
dust on the shelf and left my constituents to fend for themselves.
A council of which I was leader would never squander such an excellent
opportunity to reclaim our communities for the decent, law-abiding majority.”
ENDS
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