Giffnock has a population of 12229 and when the calculations are undertaken the CC can have a maximum number of 20.

In order to establish the CC every four years they require a minimum of 10, thereafter a minimum of 7 is required at meetings to make them quorate.

WE understand that at most there were three CClrs turning up for meetings prior to the elections. Savio D'Souza we understand took it upon himself to start a recruitment drive and this resulted in 16 nominations being made for election to the CC.

More than the minimum 10 that were required to establish a CC in Giffnock.

However when researching the CC minutes we found that some members who had joined were not turning up, some were turning up for one meeting and then not coming back. Indeed since September one meeting has not been quorate and another was only quorate for part of the session.

From the minutes of the December 2013 meeting "Chair advised that --- ,--- and --- had resigned due to other commitments. He thanked them for their initial support in ensuring that there was a Community Council established in Giffnock."

Three resignations after only two / three months.

Would this indicate that Chairman D'Souza was confirming that people were asked to join, simply to permit the CC to form, with no intention of attending long term.

Additionally there is a Community Councillor listed who has never attended any CC meetings in over two years, and was re elected in September 2013. This is thought to be due to ill health, however the constitution for CC's states that if a CClr fails to attend three consecutive meetings, with or without apologies they can be removed from the CC.

What does the CC constitution say about the role of a CClr "Engaging with and Representing the Community

Community Councillors are expected to play an active role in and on behalf of their community. This means that what you do is informed by the needs, concerns and ideas of your community and that you will be involved in discussions about issues with people in the community to clarify their views and assess the strength of their feelings on different topics."

Which would tend to suggest that if someone is housebound due to severe ill health for over two years then they cannot perform the role of a CClr. The question that comes to mind has to be is this person listed simply in order to maintain the numbers on paper.

Strange that the enthusiasm waned towards the end of the last session, with the unwarranted close scrutiny and accusations flying around. With ERC's War On Community Councils, a key aim seems to be to remove or discourage dedicated local volunteers.

It is perfectly clear that ERC were desperate to have all 10 Community Councils up and running after the September 2013 elections, ERC must have all of the boxes ticked and therefore they required all of the numbers to meet the quota.

Did this mean that as Chairman D'Souza was going to rescue a potential failure, GCC, did he receive 'special treatment' that others in the same position would not have been given, and if so is the 'special treatment' continuing.

More revelations to follow next week.....

Was ERC so desperate to fill Giffnock CC that they permitted breaches of the procedures. We have discovered that two of the nominees failed to sign their own application / nomination forms, therefore the failed to sign the all important declaration.