Last week, I visited the Wallneuk development at the old bowling alley in Renfrew Road, Paisley.

The retail park is on course to be completed ahead of schedule, with new tenants, including Lidl, the Range and Tim Hortons, gaining access from January.

I’m impressed with the way the construction work is progressing ahead of time, which I hope will help limit the disruption to local motorists.

It’s great to see such a prominent site being transformed from a bleak eyesore into what I am sure will be a thriving retail centre, bringing new jobs to Renfrewshire.

I will continue to monitor the road layout changes to help ensure local disruption is kept to a minimum.

I was also pleased to see Renfrewshire Council’s Play Park and Green Spaces Fund and Village Investment Funds are now both open for applications.

The SNP in Renfrewshire Council have committed to empowering local communities – and this £1.87million funding will do just that.

Local people are often the best people to know what their areas need or how they could be improved and this funding puts the power into your hands.

Any constituted voluntary or community organisation can apply and funding will be provided for any project that will deliver physical and environmental improvements to green spaces, parks, play areas and villages across Renfrewshire.

This is really great news and I would strongly encourage any local group who has an idea in mind to consider applying for some of this funding.

I am really looking forward to seeing what ideas communities can think of for their areas and the positive results this will undoubtedly have on the whole of Renfrewshire.

I am also delighted to see my friend and colleague Councillor Cathy McEwan shortlisted for an award at this year’s LGiU Scotland Councillor Achievement Awards. 

Regardless of political affiliation, I don’t think anyone could question the dedication Cathy has shown.

There is of course still work to be done, however, the time and effort she has put into the Team Up to Clean Up campaign has been outstanding.

I think she has personally attended almost every community clean up there has been, getting stuck right in with the local volunteers and not asking anyone to do anything she isn’t prepared to do herself.

Finally, like many people across Renfrewshire, I recently hosted a coffee morning for Macmillan Cancer Support as part of the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning. All local constituents were welcome to pop in for a cup of tea throughout the lunchtime period and I was delighted so many came along to support the day, including some councillors and Paisley and Renfrewshire South MP Mhairi Black.

More than £280 was raised this year and I want to thank everyone who took time to support fundraising events in aid of Macmillan and the wonderful work the charity does.