What can the council do about speeding cars?

Unfortunately not a lot. The speed limits on the roads are there in collaboration with specialists in road designs. Anyone exceeding these limits is breaking the law and therefore speeding becomes the responsibility of the police. If you see excessive speeding, or other traffic violations, you would need to report this using the non-emergency number of 101.

The council can, on limited occasions, conduct a traffic monitoring survey. These are usually planned a year in advance but if you feel a particular area is in need of one then get in touch and I will request this.

There is an increase of fly-tipping, what can be done to clear this?

There are 2 answers to this issue.

If the fly-tipping has occurred on council land, such as car parks, roads or grass verges the council maintain, then contact me by email and I’ll get that cleared up as soon as possible.

If the incident occurs on land not owned by the council such as fields, then the council do not have a legal right to trespass on that land to clear the rubbish and this now becomes the responsibility of the land owner. Just like it would be if someone dumps rubbish in your front garden, you would need to remove it.

I would urge you to email me as I can check who owns the land and get this cleared if it happens on council land.

My bin hasn’t been emptied and it usually gets done first thing.

The bin crews work up to 5:30pm and they may just be running late. Please leave your bin out until this time. If, for any reason, your bin does not get emptied by 5:30pm, we would ask you leave it at it’s usual kerbside location and we would aim to get it the next day. Further information can be found HERE

I have been on the list for council/social housing for a long time. What is the issue?

It’s no secret that there is a shortage of Social/Council housing available, despite record investment from the SNP Government in Holyrood. Years of under investment, including only 6 social homes being built by previous Labour Administrations is the root cause. SLC use a points based list, therefore someone who has applied for housing after you may get an offer before you. Yes it’s frustrating and I have personal experience of this so completely understand your concerns.

If you limit your property type and preferred area, then you will wait longer than someone who has indicated they will accept any property type in any area. For example, someone may be happy to accept a top floor flat in East Kilbride but you are only looking for a semi-detached in Stonehouse. The flats become available more often than the houses and this is why you will see a long wait.

If you have left a property of your own choice, i.e. selling your own home or leaving a rental property before forced eviction, then you are classed as intentionally homeless and would therefore not qualify for homelessness points. These are only provided to those who are forced from their home, and not leaving by choice. I know it’s not the answer you would be looking for but it is the policy in place and I hope you understand the reasons for it.

I will always be on hand to look into your housing application so please do email me with your full name, DOB, Current address. I will do what I can to assist.