We have heard that Gryffe High School, like other schools  in Renfrewshire, is to suffer a cut in its budget next year We are told that it could mean 5 fewer teaching posts and a reduction in some of the initiatives offered by the school.  These are said to be provisional figures, and it is hoped that the situation might still be improved.   

HALL says: 

It is ironic that only on Monday Councillor Noon was justifying selling Manse Field as a contribution to the cost of improving the Gryffe High School. 

Councillor Noon is correct when he points out that there is a difference between capital and revenue and that Council Tax is a revenue item which pays the every day cost of running the Council.  However, we do think that the public believe that they should not have to suffer loss of amenity by the Council selling valued open space so that the infrastructure which supplies services they pay Council Tax for can be improved. 

The deterioration of the Gryffe Valley Villages is plain to see.  Gryffe High School has been one of the few success stories.  The rate of degeneration is getting to the point were Gryffe Valley is becoming blighted to an extent were the decline will not be reversed.  We are an area which makes a substantial contribution to the Council’s Council Tax revenue – it makes sense to improve the Gryffe Valley Villages so that they attract more wealth creators for Renfrewshire.