For several years now, the Strathbungo Society has been affiliated to the Scottish Civic Trust, which is the national body for the civic movement in Scotland.

The Trust comments and campaigns for the improvement of Scotland’s individual buildings and areas of distinction and is the umbrella body for over 100 civic and amenity groups across Scotland. SCT also runs the My Place Awards which celebrates good local design and conservation as nominated and evaluated by local people and co-ordinate Doors Open Days.

The Society’s chair attended a meeting arranged by the SCT last month to discuss setting up a Glasgow-specific civic forum along the lines of a similar network in Edinburgh. The minutes of the meeting are available here: GCF Minutes 15.6.12.

The proposed remit of the Glasgow Civic Forum is to:

  • provide a forum for community councils, local associations, amenity and civic groups to discuss issues of common interest
  • strengthen the dialogue between civic groups in the city and share best practice
  • encourage greater interest and involvement in national planning and built environment initiatives.

The Chair will be attending the initial meeting of the Forum on the 24th July when we will also elect a chair/convenor for the GCF and discuss the Scottish Government’s Architecture Policy consultation which ends in early September.

We feel the GCF could be a real force for good in Glasgow’s civic society and also provide a great opportunity to work with other groups on issues that affect us all, creating a strong voice on campaigns such as that against VAT on repairs to listed buildings and an opportunity to share ideas and expertise.

And it doesn’t just have to be heritage issues. Voluntary groups in all areas of civic society could benefit from the support and information of the Forum. Membership is free and open to representatives of the following groups within the Glasgow City Council boundaries:

  • Community Councils
  • Street Associations
  • Area Associations
  • Civic/amenity groups
  • Local interest groups

The Forum is not open to private individuals, political groups or commercial organisations.

If you’re involved in a group that would also like to send a representative, or if you have any questions, please contact Gemma Wild at gemma.wild@scottishcivictrust.org.uk or 0141 221 1466.