Lib Dems challenge Boundary Commission over Bishopbriggs plans

10.17.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 22nd Jun 2009

Jo Swinson MP and Ross Finnie MSP have made representations to the Boundary Commission opposing proposals that would see part of Bishopbriggs joining Glasgow City.

In letters to the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland, Jo Swinson and Ross Finnie have raised their objections to the plans which would mean 42 East Dunbartonshire households being reclassified as belonging to Glasgow City. The Boundary Commission published its provisional proposals last month, marking the beginning of a process of public consultation which runs until 6th August 2009. Jo Swinson and Ross Finnie submitted their views as part of this consultation and are encouraging others to do the same.

Ms Swinson and Mr Finnie visited residents of Wallace Drive, Wallace Gate and Wallace Place last month to hear their views on the proposals. Residents fear that if the boundary is moved to incorporate them into Glasgow, their children may have to move schools, the value of their homes will decline, council tax will increase and they will lose access to services provided by East Dunbartonshire Council. Jo Swinson and Ross Finnie have also written to the Chief Executive of East Dunbartonshire Council and the Minister for Parliamentary Business to raise their concerns.

Commenting, Jo Swinson said:

“The Bishopbriggs residents who would be affected by this move are understandably extremely concerned. There is no good reason why these proposals need to be implemented and unnecessary anxiety forced on the 42 families involved. Ross Finnie and I will continue to campaign against the plans and urge the Boundary Commission to conduct a full Local Inquiry, which would reveal the many good reasons why these proposals should be scrapped.”

Commenting, Ross Finnie said:

“In response to the huge public opposition to the proposals to change the council boundaries of Glasgow City and East Dunbartonshire, Jo Swinson and I have written to the Minister for Parliamentary Business, the Chief Executive of East Dunbartonshire Council and the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland in support of the objections by local residents. The Boundary Commission wants to apply the law retrospectively and assumes that issues such as access to the local school, house purchase prices and community connections are not relevant when it comes to determining administrative boundaries.”