The Weekly Splash, Sunday May 4 edition
Local Democracy Digest, Glasgow: The Other Stories, City Council Updates and Crimbeat
🗳 Local Democracy Digest
🚧 George Square overhaul signed off – but £2.5m water feature scrapped
A £20 million deal to transform George Square and create 'Avenues'-style streets has been agreed. However, a planned £2.5 million water feature has been axed due to budget concerns. Sarah Hilley
🚆 High Street Station gets modest upgrade
Glasgow’s High Street station won’t see a full redevelopment – but a new entrance façade could be on the cards if councillors approve £120,000 in design funding for Network Rail. Drew Sandelands
🏘️ Mount Florida flats fight nears end
A controversial plan to build 32 homes on the Mount Florida Bowling Club site is recommended for approval, despite over 280 objections since 2022. Drew Sandelands
🏗️ Dalmarnock Athletes’ Village site to be cleared
Work will begin in August to prep land for 125 new homes. The site, long plagued by fly-tipping, is finally moving forward. Sarah Hilley
🏠 Second homeowners hit with double council tax
Owners of 406 second homes in Glasgow are now being charged twice the standard council tax rate under new rules introduced on April 1. Sarah Hilley
🕳️ Glasgow’s 3,030 empty homes – full ward breakdown
The city's empty homes crisis laid bare:
Top 3 areas: Anderston/City/Yorkhill (283), Southside Central (234), Govan (220)
Fewest: North East (60), Baillieston (63), Maryhill (63)
👉 See full ward-by-ward figures below. Sarah Hilley
Linn - 95
Newlands/Auldburn - 82
Greater Pollok - 79
Cardonald - 120
Govan- 220
Pollokshields - 145
Langside - 181
Southside Central - 234
Calton - 125
Anderston/City/Yorkhill - 283
Hillhead - 157
Victoria Park - 103
Garscadden/Scotstounhill - 99
Drumchapel/Anniesland - 93
Maryhill - 63
Canal - 153
Springburn/Royston- 108
East Centre - 122
Shettleston - 125
Baillieston - 63
North East - 60
Dennistoun -132
Partick East/Kelvindale - 188
🚧 Hielanman’s Umbrella revamp due in August
The 1950s-inspired makeover of the underpass at Central Station will include new shopfronts, lighting and potential neon art. Sarah Hilley
🏚️ Social housing for the homeless hits record high
3,500 social lets went to homeless individuals last year. Officials cite the housing crisis, refugee arrivals, and limited stock. Sarah Hilley
🅿️ Controlled Parking Zones slammed as "resident tax"
Councillors debated CPZ expansions, with Stephen Docherty calling them unfair and urging better public transport instead. Catherine Hunter
⚖️ Equal pay resolution still pending
Auditors urge Glasgow City Council to set a deadline for resolving its long-standing equal pay issue affecting mostly female workers. Drew Sandelands
🚗 Event Day Parking Zones could expand
Councillors want more EDPZs near Ibrox and Celtic Park. These restrict parking during events to ease congestion. Catherine Hunter
🏘️ More homes planned for Athletes’ Village
New subleases for the Commonwealth Games site could bring a mix of public and private housing from developers Cruden and CCG. Drew Sandelands
🏢 Union Street flat plan rejected
A proposal to convert offices next to the Egyptian Halls into 13 flats has been refused by the council. Drew Sandelands
🐀 'Rat emergency' warning issued
A union warns Glasgow must act before warmer weather fuels a rat population boom. Catherine Hunter
🎰 Gambling & homelessness link under investigation
By Catherine Hunter
Two community orgs are studying the links between gambling addiction and homelessness in Glasgow. Catherine Hunter
🏛️ Council finances under pressure
External auditors warn of major financial risks including rising homelessness and unstable government funding. Drew Sandelands
🔌 River heat energy system coming to SEC
The SEC is leasing land to Peel to install a renewable heat facility drawing energy from the Clyde. Sarah Hilley
🚨 G4S contract under fire
Councillor Dan Hutchison opposes a £1.2 million security deal with G4S, citing ethical concerns over the firm’s record. Sarah Hilley
🏙 Glasgow: The Other Stories
📉 Rough sleeping triples in Glasgow
Rough sleeping has tripled in Glasgow in just over a year – from 28 to 86 cases per month – as a night shelter faces closure. Martin Williams
🛫 Airport parking fees rise again
Drop-offs and pick-ups at Glasgow Airport now cost £6 for 15 minutes — third annual increase. Glasgow Airport
⚠️ Towed cars anger Shawlands residents
Locals say poor signage led to vehicles being lifted during surprise roadworks. Chiara Pollock
🏢 Affordable housing plan in Springburn
An office block in Springburn could soon become affordable flats. Ava Whyte
❌ Alexandra Park Sports Hub shuts
Alexandra Park Sports Hub in Dennistoun has closed amid “ongoing financial pressures” Ava Whyte
🚨 Evacuated and left homeless
Wendy Murray was forced to leave her Calton flat after officials found corroded supports. Mark McGivern
🚙 More parking zones coming
12 more neighbourhoods will get CPZs in 2025. Residents will need permits. Stewart Paterson
🐀 Rats 'bold as brass' in Kelvingrove
Dog walkers say rats are taking over, with sightings daily and captured on camera. Jonathan Blackburn
🧑⚖️ SNP councillor defects
Victoria Park’s Feargal Dalton quits SNP to become an independent. Fergal Dalton
🏙 Glasgow City Council Updates
🗳️ Last chance! Have your say on the Visitor Levy Scheme
🛠️ Check out the new Private Lane Toolkit
🚨🚓CRIMEBEAT🚨
(https://www.facebook.com/PoliceScotlandGreaterGlasgow/
Mark Keel pleads guilty to murder of Maxine Clark (Riddrie, 2024) – sentencing May 27.
£6,000 in cocaine, replica weapons found in Shettleston raid – man charged.
Cyclist assaulted on Maryhill Road by four teens with football scarves.
14-year-old arrested after derelict building fire on Wardie Road, Easterhouse
Car torched in Govanhill – linked to gang tensions.
Clydeside Expressway crash – car fled scene, woman injured.
62-year-old charged over hate graffiti in Castlemilk.
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