EXCLUSIVE: Homeless Shelter Chief Calls for Community Council Chairman's Resignation

Charity Boss Calls Out Leader Over "Residents Only" Meeting

EXCLUSIVE by Gary Fanning

The chief executive of a leading homeless charity has called for the resignation of a community council leader following remarks about participation in a meeting held tonight.

Colin McInnes, head of Homeless Project Scotland (HPS), announced he would be demanding in the morning the resignation of Tam Coyle, chairman of the Merchant City and Trongate Community Council.

Mr McInnes' call for Mr Coyle's resignation followed comments made by the community council chairman that the meeting was intended for residents, not businesses.

“I’ll be calling for him to resign in the morning,” McInnes told The Splash shortly after the meeting concluded at 8:25 p.m.

Despite being approached to comment on Mr McInnes demands immediately after the meeting, Mr Coyle declined to respond.

During the meeting, Mr McInnes expressed his disappointment over the community council’s opposition to HPS's planning application for a shelter at Glassford Street.

He revealed that about 30 shelter residents, who had wished to attend the meeting to voice their concerns, had been advised against participating.

Mr McInnes argued that the voices of those living at the shelter were not being adequately represented in the discussions.

The charity bosses concerns were further compounded by Mr Coyle’s remarks that the meeting was for residents and not businesses, which McInnes viewed as an unnecessary exclusion of key stakeholders, including those directly impacted by homelessness.

He said that businesses in the area would be concerned about the community council's stance.

Further tensions arose as Mr McInnes accused the community council of lacking compassion for homeless people, questioning their commitment to addressing the issue.

In response, council members pointed to their involvement in other homelessness initiatives, including partnerships with Simon Community Scotland.

While the community council objected to the shelter's application, they emphasised that the ultimate decision lies with Glasgow City Council.

The planning application is still under review, and any enforcement actions against the shelter have been paused pending the outcome of the application.

Two Glasgow City councillors, Angus Millar and Bailie Christy Mearns, were also present at the meeting.

Councillor Millar acknowledged the severity of the homelessness crisis in the city and expressed his willingness to engage with the shelter but noted he had not been contacted by HPS since its opening.

Ms Mearns, the deputy provost, who has previously worked with the shelter’s soup kitchen expressed support for the the charity’s work but suggested that its approach could sometimes be politically charged.

Mr McInnes, however, reiterated his position that if Glasgow City Council provided adequate accommodation for homeless individuals, there would be no need for the shelter.

Recent figures from The Splash revealed that approximately 8,000 people in Glasgow, including 3,500 children, are currently without permanent housing.

The situation around the shelter has been contentious for some time.

In October 2024, a meeting of the Merchant City and Trongate Community Council was cancelled following a protest involving approximately 70 supporters and service users of HPS.

The protest was in response to an enforcement notice issued against the shelter for operating without formal planning permission.

The shelter currently provides up to 350 meals daily and accommodates up to 33 people each night.

At the time, a spokesman for Merchant City and Trongate Community Council (MCTCC) said: “We very much regret our meeting had to be abandoned after Glasgow City Chambers’ security staff warned they could not guarantee the safety of those attending, including local residents, community councillors, elected ward councillors and a representative of our local MP.

“Homeless Project Scotland was again not on the agenda.

“For almost a year this matter has been in the hands of Glasgow City Council which has served a Planning Enforcement Notice on the Glassford Street premises because of non-compliance with relevant legislation.

“Like other community councils in Scotland, MCTCC has no statuary powers or responsibility on planning issues.”

Glasgow City Council confirmed in October that it received complaints from residents and businesses in the area, raising concerns about safety and compliance.

Their spokesperson said: “This shelter has been operating without permission since December 2023, and we have received multiple crime reports and complaints.”

HPS have recently applied for planning permission and made an appeal against the enforcement notice but they lost the appeal

And that means the enforcement notice has been paused pending the outcome of the planning application.

A spokesman for the council said: “We do not comment on live planning applications or appeals.

“What we can confirm is that any further enforcement action will be held in abeyance pending the outcomes of the appeal and application processes.”