Local SNP politicians have expressed disappointment that the views of local residents in the Manse Brae area have been ignored by Glasgow City Council Planning Committee.

The planning committee today voted for the proposals for a new build development of flats at Old Castle Road/Manse Brae Glasgow despite widespread objections to the plans from the local community council and residents.

Local SNP cllr, Glenn Elder said: “I am disappointed with the decision that has been made by the planning committee, particularly because of the strength of feeling within the local community regarding this planning application.  The main objection centred on the location of the development and the problems that this could bring with regards to the extra traffic generally and road safety specifically. These issues have not been addressed sufficiently between the original application being declined and this application being approved."

Commenting on news that 50 laptops were stolen from Glasgow City Council, Glasgow SNP Group Leader Graeme Hendry said: “This is a major blunder from Labour at Glasgow City Council and raises serious questions about security at council property.

“The theft of 50 laptops, in addition to the two previously reported, is deeply concerning.

The SNP has called for a review of council appointments to posts that are politically restricted after it was revealed failed Labour minister Tom McCabe was made a policy advisor to Glasgow City Council.

Mr McCabe, who played a key role in Glasgow Labour’s council election campaign, is now policy advisor to Land and Environmental Services in GCC – a politically neutral role.

The SNP has condemned the appointment of former Labour minister Tom McCabe as a policy advisor to Land and Environmental Services in Glasgow City Council.

Graeme Hendry, Leader of the Glasgow SNP Group, said this was yet another example of “jobs for the boys”.

The post is reported to pay just under £50,000 a year and is supposed to be a non-political role.

Personal details of almost 38,000 people and businesses on stolen laptop

Commenting on reports of a major data breach at Glasgow City Council, in which a laptop containing the personal details of almost 38,000 people and businesses was stolen from council offices on Cochrane Street - including the bank details of 16,000 customers - Glasgow SNP Group Leader Graeme Hendry said: "This is a matter of deep concern, with the personal details of some very vulnerable people amongst those stolen from Council property.

"This is not the first time that such a data breach has occurred in Glasgow City Council - with information relating to social work and psychological reports having previously been lost - but the sheer scale of this loss is staggering.

Cllr Graeme Hendry looks forward to twin challenges 

At this evening’s Glasgow SNP council group Annual General Meeting (Monday 14th May 2012) a new team was elected to lead the SNP in Glasgow City Council. Following the local government election earlier this month, where the SNP Group increased to 27 of Glasgow’s 79 councillors on an increased share of the vote, all positions were open for nominations.

Councillor Graeme Hendry was elected as SNP Leader of the Opposition, while Councillor Billy McAllister was re-elected as Deputy Leader. Councillor David McDonald has been elected as Business Manager.

SNP calls for change in the chambers

The SNP are calling for Glaswegians to use their votes for change in the city chambers to make life better for the people of Glasgow.

Glasgow SNP are ambitious for Glasgow, standing 43 candidates across 21 wards. The SNP have a team with vision and ideas who welcome the opportunity to represent the people of this great city, to make our council more approachable and to open up the council to scrutiny.

The SNP’s key manifesto pledges are:

• Guaranteeing every 16-24 year-old a place in education, work or training and providing more support for small businesses to create jobs.
• Refurbishing schools and launching a drive to raise attainment in classrooms.
• Guaranteeing at least 600 hours a year of nursery education for every three and four year old.
• Getting the basics right through better maintained roads and cleaner streets, including a clampdown on dog fouling and flytippers.
• Promoting a more open and accountable council by giving citizens a direct say in what we do.
• Faster assessment and better integrated delivery of care across health and social work, providing people with real choice and control.
• Promoting new green energy schemes for the city and improved recycling rates – saving the city money as well as helping the environment.
• Keeping council tax frozen until 2016, giving a helping hand to families in these tough times.