Barrhead’s elected members have been accused of “thumbing their noses” to the town’s community council.

None of the them attended the most recent meeting of Barrhead Community Council, which has been re-established after a six-month break.

Under rules imposed by East Renfrewshire Council, the organisation was unable to meet for the second half of last year as it had too many activists from one part of the town.

Leaders of the community council are keen to see it going from strength to strength during 2020 but, with the room half-empty at its latest meeting, has now issued a rallying call to local residents – and politicians – to get involved.

The group agreed to write to all four elected members representing Barrhead – Paul Aitken, Angela Convery, Betty Cunningham and Danny Devlin – to invite them along to meetings.

Rosemarie McInally, the community council’s new chairperson, told the meeting: “I think they just thumb their noses at us. We have restarted and would like all councillors to attend.

“We need to get people interested in their community, people interested in education, roads and all the things happening in East Renfrewshire Council – and not frightened to ask about something.”

When asked about her absence, Councillor Convery, of the SNP, said: “Unfortunately, due to being ill, I was unable to attend the meeting but I will be at the next one as I make sure I have all my surgeries just before them so I can attend.”

Councillor Aitken, who serves as an Independent, said he was not aware the group had met.

He told the Barrhead News: “The last I had heard was that Barrhead Community Council had folded through lack of interest.

“If I am invited to attend the next one, I will try to attend.”

Councillor Devlin and Councillor Cunningham did not reply to requests for comment.

The next meeting is at 7pm on March 5 at the Main Street council offices.

Simultaneous to the community council meeting on Thursday night, there was the first gathering of Connect Neilston, from the Neilston Development Trust. MP Kirsten Oswald attended that event.

BCC held their AGM in January where chairwoman Rosaleen Reilly and vice-chair Rosemarie McInally swap positions.

Laura Hendry remains as treasurer and Rena McGuire continues as secretary.