Glasgow - Street Art vs Mindless Graffiti

Here are two positive comments I received following my blog spots about tackling Glasgow's ugly graffiti problem.

Now this would take leadership, someone to bring a wide range of different interests together to encourage 'street art' in designated areas while clamping down on mindless vandalism.

Which is why I wrote to Glasgow's council leader, my local councillors, MSP and MP in the first place.

More to follow.

Glasgow's Ugly Graffiti Problem (20/02/21)

A number people responded to my post about Glasgow's graffiti problem which I shared on Twitter including Paul Sweeney, a former Glasgow MSP.

Different opinions were expressed, as you'd expect, but if you ask me it's exactly the kind of conversation that ought to be taking place between local people and Glasgow City Council.

More to follow soon - maybe it's the start of a much-needed wider public debate, so watch this space.

Glasgow's Ugly Graffiti Problem (19/02/21)

After reporting on the blog that I had been 'blanked' by Glasgow City Council after writing to the council leader, I received a reply from Cllr Aitken's office the very next working day.

So a step forward, I'm pleased to say, although I think there's a very long way to go before the Council has a proper strategy in place for tackling the problem.

I'll have more to say in the days ahead, but if readers have any suggestions, drop me a note (in confidence) to: markirvine@compuserve.com

Glasgow Graffiti and Kitchen Sinks (18/02/21)

I said in my post last Friday about Glasgow's ugly graffiti problem that I hadn't heard a 'cheep' from my local MP, Alison Thewliss.

But shortly after I published the post on the blog I finally heard from Alison's office which involved just passing on a desultory response from an official at Glasgow City Council.

Now the whole point of contacting a local MP (councillor or MSP for that matter) is to find out what they think - and ask for their support, preferably.

Because if they just act as postboxes, by passing the buck on to a council official, what is their role as an elected representative and why do we pay them such generous salaries from the public purse?

In any event I was so disappointed with what my local MP had to say that I decided to respond as follows:

Dear Alison

Glasgow Graffiti

I refer to the attached letter from your caseworker and my original correspondence dated 1 February 2021 regarding the problem of graffiti in Glasgow.

I have to say I am very disappointed at your response which does not explain when you wrote to Stephen Egan at Glasgow City Council or what you said to Mr Egan - presumably you just passed on my letter without explaining either the context or background which was a terrible waste of everyone's time.

I already know all about GCC's graffiti removal service which sparked my original letter to Susan Aitken who hasn't bothered to respond, but the graffiti I drew to the council leader's attention has nothing to do with Covid-19 or 'lockdown' and has been there (most of it at least) since before the current pandemic began.

In my view the way to tackle the issue can only be via a council-wide, all party, multi-agency campaign which has the scope to target particular local hot spots.

Schools, community councils, property mangers, local businesses as well as local people all have a role to play and here's a good 'anti-litter' example from York City Council which could be adapted for a similar campaign around graffiti, fly-tipping dog fouling etc etc.

My concern is whether Glasgow City Council has the necessary powers to act if persuasion fails, eg in relation to the removal of graffiti is GCC able to intervene and pass the costs on via a building's property managers and owners? If not, surely local councils should have such powers?

I see from your Twitter account that you have been very active on social media recently and I would have thought this is the kind of issue for a local MP to take far more seriously, instead of sending meaningless enquiries to busy council officials.

I imagine Mr Egan and his colleagues would like to do more, but this requires political leadership in the first instance which was the point of my original letter to Susan Aitken.

For your information I have received a more encouraging response from the local MSP and from two out of the four local councillors for this area, but I am surprised at the lack of interest and leadership from other quarters.

Kind regards

Mark Irvine

I do get really fed up with politicians who bang on endlessly about their own pet hobbyhorses, including independence, yet have so little of substance to say about local 'kitchen sink' issues.

Maybe next time I'll get a reply which doesn't waste my time and/or insult my intelligence.

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Mark Irvine - Blogger, Campaigner, Organiser