Four years ago, I was elected Chair of Cathcart, Merrylee and Muirend Community Council. Last week, I chaired my last meeting of the session. We now move into elections, so for this month’s Chair’s Chat, I thought I’d look back over the last four years, and explain what being a community councillor is all about.
Back in 2022, Cathcart and District Community Council (as it was then known) no longer existed. Like many local groups, its hard-working members had been thwarted by Covid, and the Council needed to be rebuilt from the ground up. Working with friends with whom I’d campaigned to save the Couper Library, we held meetings, gathered signatures and eventually succeeded in re-establishing the community council.
Since then, we’ve worked hard to make our work as accessible as possible. Changing our name was part of that – we heard from residents in Merrylee and Muirend that they didn’t feel included, so we renamed our group to make clear that we’re here for everyone. That desire to be inclusive has been behind many of our decisions: from choosing a venue with Zoom facilities, so people can attend even if they can’t leave home, to always introducing ourselves at the start of every meeting, so everyone feels equal.
As well as trying to be welcoming, we’ve worked really hard to understand and act on what our community wants. We’ve held two consultations on our priorities, attracting hundreds of responses each time. And we’ve worked hard to address those priorities.
- People told us they wanted the area to have more of an identity: so we created our brilliant mural at Cathcart train station.
- People said they wanted more frequent trains: so we campaigned until Scotrail increased the Cathcart Circle service.
- People told us they wanted a new pitch at Merrylee Primary: so we’ve applied to unlock Council funding for this, and we’ve got everything crossed it will happen soon.
- People said they wanted events locally and for the Couper Library and Institute to be well used: and we really delivered!. Regular Micro Talks in the library, an annual Window Wanderland, chair yoga for older people, Doors Open Day tours in the Couper, a Christmas family film, a summer fete, our legendary Big Band night in the Couper – the list is endless, and we’re always thinking of more ways to bring our residents together.
I’m proud of what we’ve achieved – but there’s so much more to do. Maybe that’s where you come in? Any adult living in our area is eligible to stand for election to the community council. We welcome anyone who’s enthusiastic, positive and ready to make a difference. We’re especially keen for people with skills in communications, fundraising or taking part in formal meetings: but we’ll always find a role for anyone who’s keen.
You can find the nomination form here. The deadline to apply is Wednesday 14 October. So why not apply? As I always say: things get solved when you get involved.
Cathcart, Merrylee and Muirend Community Council usually meets on the second Wednesday of each month: BUT OUR OCTOBER MEETING IS WEDNESDAY 21 OCTOBER. We meet from 7-9pm at Cathcart Baptist Church or online via Zoom. (We don’t meet in April, July, August or December). We welcome everyone to get involved: email cmmcommcouncil@gmail.com to find out more.
